In the first part of this book, you will learn ways to move beyond conventional game design rhetoric by exploring psychology of play and player modeling from some of the leading figures of this field.

In Step One, Nicole Lazzaro explains the key emotions of play in the context of her “Four Fun Keys” model.

In Step Two, Katherine Isbister explains social play and the many ways it can enhance the experience of any game—even a single-player game.

In Step Three, Chris Bateman describes Roger Caillois’ “patterns of play” and connects these to neuro-biological mechanisms.

Finally, in Step Four, Richard Bartle—the pioneer of player modeling—explains the limits of a theoretical approach.