In today's game market more games are developed for the Xbox? , PlayStation? , and Nintendo? systems than for the PC, so designers and developers need to hone their skills and learn console specific techniques in order to succeed in this very competitive field. Designing Character-Based Console Games delves into the intricacies and technical details of console design, while covering the broader aspects of design that apply to all types of games, including action-adventure, first person shooters, and role-playing games. It offers a starting point for any budding designer, a point of reference for anyone who wants to learn more about how games are made, and a few choice nuggets of information for the expert. By following the process of design from start to finish, the book teaches best-practice design methods to help designers avoid repeating common mistakes. It provides a thorough discussion of gameplay and how to design it effectively, and how to write the narrative and develop the characters. It explores the important aspects of a character-based game design, including game structure, character control, and combat. Specifics on viewpoint & cameras, artificial intelligence, physics, environments, audio, interface design, economies, and game balancing are also covered in detail.