The Game Deconstruction Group (GDG) operates with a simple premise: students from the University of Southern California game design program play through and critically examine a current title before a panel of 20-30 game makers.  This Academy program provides the opportunity for students to demonstrate their understanding of game design and fosters terrific dialogue between game makers about contemporary titles. The most recent gathering of the GDG took place July 22, 2010 and was hosted by Activision at their headquarters in Santa Monica, CA.  The students - Teddy Diefenbach, Mike Sennott, and Ryan Watterson - deconstructed Rockstar Games’ Red Dead Redemption and moderated a discussion that focused on the developer’s gameplay and narrative choices. 

The presentation began with an analysis of the game’s aesthetics – a rich Western tableau populated by a rogue’s gallery of vivid characters along with the varied wildlife roaming the vast frontier. The student presenters noted a detailed world greatly enhanced by the game makers’ cinematic eye toward mood and tone, including many moments of homage to great Western films and a score meant to evoke Ennio Morricone.  The presenters then dug into the play mechanics to take a closer look at the biggest successes and challenges presented by the game’s controls and modes of interaction.  The evening concluded with analysis of Red Dead Redemption’s story and characters, delving into the narrative strengths and weaknesses relative to other storytelling media. Particular attention was paid to Rockstar Games’ bold choice of endings and how they impact a neat sense of closure and, potentially, player enjoyment.

The Academy once again extends its thanks to the Chris Swain, the associate professor who sponsors the program, the students for their informative and detailed presentations and to the attendees for their insights, enthusiasm and participation.

The students’ presentation slides (and videos) are available here.  To be added to the Game Deconstruction Group mailing list, please email Terrence Myers.