[1Ed] Chapter 03: The Layered Tetrad

The previous chapter presented you with various analytical frameworks for understanding games and game design. This chapter presents the Layered Tetrad, a combination and extension of many of the best aspects of those frameworks, and it is expanded upon throughout the following chapters.

The Layered Tetrad is a tool to help you understand and create the various aspects of a game. It will help you to analyze games that you love and will help you to look at your game holistically, leading to an understanding of not only the game’s mechanics but also their implications in terms of play, socialization, meaning, and culture.