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ME Theory is a theory of game design. Actually, it's a theory for game designers that is easier to understand and isn't as complicated nor as anal as Game Theory. This article is an introduction to ME Theory as well as a short list of ideas of how to use it to your advantage.

ME Theory's Name

Before getting into the details of ME Theory, something needs to be said about the name. ME Theory was first codified by the now deceased founder of GDHQ (which became GDN), Moonlight Embrace. We have named the theory after him posthumously. To him, it was more of an undeveloped idea than a theory.

Goals

ME Theory is based on the idea that games are goal driven. By our very nature of being human, gamers seek to achieve these goals. Knowing what these goals are can go along way to advancing your game design skills.

Be

Gamers want to be something or someone. In recent years, the fantasy element of being someone you are not (ex. a ninja) has diminished quite a bit. Nevertheless, Be as a goal is still a goal. Here's some examples :

• Be a top racer (Any racing game)
• Be a god (Populous)
• Be a guitar player (Guitar Hero)

Gain

Gamers want to gain objects and abilities. This is fairly obvious.

Improve

Once a gamer has something, he wants to improve it.

Protect

Gamers want to protect what they have.

Lose Disadvantages

Gamers want to lose disadvantages. These disadvantages always relate to accomplishing the goals listed above.

There is a single exception to this : Sometimes the player will take on disadvantages to make the game more challenging.

Strategies

Some of the goals have a number of strategies that a player will use to attain his goal.