The following is a template or guide to doing a mood analysis at the start of your game design process.

Introduction

  • Game Selection: Provide a brief introduction to the game(s) selected for analysis, including developer, release year, and a brief synopsis. Why did you choose these games?
  • Objective of Analysis: Outline the significance of mood in the game’s design and player experience, and what aims to be uncovered or demonstrated through this analysis in relation to your game.

Mood Definition

  • Mood Identification: Define the overall mood or emotional atmosphere of the game. Describe whether it’s tense, relaxing, somber, joyful, etc.
  • Influence on Player Experience: Discuss how the mood affects the player’s experience and engagement with the game.

Audiovisual Elements

Visuals

  • Color Schemes: Examine the color palettes used and how specific colors or combinations contribute to the emotional tone.
  • Lighting: Discuss the role of lighting in establishing mood, including the use of light and shadow.
  • Character Designs: Analyze how character design supports the mood, focusing on silhouette, color, and expressions.
  • Environments: Describe the design of settings and landscapes and how they reinforce the mood.
  • UI Aesthetics: Evaluate the user interface’s visual design in complementing the game’s mood.
  • Shapes: Explore the use of geometric and organic shapes in visual design and how they contribute to the mood.

Music and Sound Effects

  • Music: Analyze the soundtrack’s contribution to the mood, considering genres, instruments, tempo, and dynamics.
  • Sound Effects: Evaluate how sound effects, including ambient noises, affect the emotional atmosphere.
  • Ambient Sounds: Discuss the role of ambient sounds in creating an immersive mood.

Narrative and Theme

  • Storytelling: Examine narrative techniques and how they support the mood, including plot development, character arcs, tone of voice, dialogue style, writing perspective etc.
  • Themes and Motifs: Identify themes or motifs and their contribution to the emotional tone.

Gameplay Mechanics

  • Gameplay Contribution: Evaluate how gameplay mechanics influence the mood, considering combat, exploration, puzzle-solving, or decision-making.
  • Pacing and Challenge: Discuss how the game’s pacing and challenge level affect the player’s emotional state.

Interaction of Elements

  • Cohesiveness: Analyze how audiovisual elements, narrative, and gameplay mechanics work together to create a cohesive mood.
  • Player Agency and Mood: Consider how player choices and interactions contribute to or alter the mood.

Comparative Analysis

  • Similar Games: Compare the mood of the chosen game with similar games in the genre or thematic focus.
  • Influence on Genre: Discuss how the game’s mood influences its placement within or across game genres.

Conclusion

  • Summary of Key Findings: Summarize the elements contributing to the game’s mood and their interaction and how they can help you with defining your own game.
  • Implications for Game Design: Conclude with thoughts on how mood analysis can inform game design practices, and your game design specifically.

References

  • Sources: List all sources used, ensuring to follow appropriate academic referencing standards.

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