Chapter 1:
Designing Game Mechanics
Rules Define Games
Discrete Mechanics vs. Continuous Mechanics
Mechanics and the Game Design Process
Prototyping Techniques
Summary
Exercises

Chapter 2:
Emergence and Progression
The History of Emergence and Progression
Comparing Emergence and Progression
Games of Emergence
Games of Progression
Structural Differences
Emergence and Progression Integration
Summary
Exercise

Chapter 3:
Complex Systems and the Structure
of Emergence
Gameplay as an Emergent Property of Games
Structural Qualities of Complex Systems
Harnessing Emergence in Games
Summary
Exercises

Chapter 4:
Internal Economy
Elements of Internal Economies
Economic Structure
Uses for Internal Economies in Games
Summary
Exercises

Chapter 5:
Machinations
The Machinations Framework
Machinations Diagram Basic Elements
Advanced Node Types
Modeling Pac-Man
Summary
Exercises

Chapter 6:
Common Mechanisms
More Machinations Concepts
Feedback Structures in Games
Randomness vs. Emergence
Example Mechanics
Summary
Exercises

Chapter 7:
Design Patterns
Introducing Design Patterns
Machinations Design Pattern Language
Leveraging Patterns for Design
Summary
Exercises

Chapter 8:
Simulating and Balancing Games
Simulated Play Tests
Playing with Monopoly
Balancing SimWar
From Model to Game
Summary
Exercises

Chapter 9:
Building Economies
Economy-Building Games
Analyzing Caesar III
Designing Lunar Colony
Summary
Exercises

Chapter 10:
Integrating Level Design and Mechanics
From Toys to Playgrounds
Missions and Game Spaces
Learning to Play
Summary
Exercises

Chapter 11:
Progression Mechanisms
Lock-and-Key Mechanisms
Emergent Progression
Summary
Exercises

Chapter 12:
Meaningful Mechanics
Serious Games
Communication Theory
The Semiotics of Games and Simulations
Multiple Layers of Meaning
Summary
Exercises