For this AO - you have to describe how games from your choice of genre is structure.
This is how we are going to do it:
1) Choose a game from your genre that you either know very well or there is a lot of information online to allow you to research.
2) Look at one level/chapter/mission and explain the structure to it in the following terms:
Name the game and the level you are going to study.
Then identify and explain the following things.
- Objective: what is the point of the mission/chapter, how do you know what to do and where to go?
- Preparation: in terms of equipment/levelling up/finding resources
- Early stages of the level: what do you need to do, how do you are successful
- Final stages of the level: is there a boss? Does the game become more difficult?
- Level completion: what did you need to achieve to finish the level/mission? How do you know you have finished the level/mission?
Use screenshots and youtube videos to help you illustrate your answer.
3) Using the same game - describe and explain the structure of the whole game - how is it structured? Is it levels, chapters, character development (RPG), story?
If you can find online guides/maps to illustrate your description - please use them.
NOW - Analyse it as best you can - is it linear (can you only go on way)? Is it is open-structure (there is no defined ending)? Are there multiple endings? Can you complete the game - if not is there a natural ending to the game.
For instance:
The Sims: This is an open game with no clear identifiable ending - but there is structure. The early part of the game is about developing skills, earning money and making relationships. The game continues in the same way but you can chart your progress interms of material wealth and the development of your Sim.
The ending is either when you're content/bored with the characters you've created or they die.
Or you have a game such as Gears of War - where there is a very defined structure in terms of levels it is explicit in terms of what you need to do to progress - kill all the baddies, get to the end of the level.