How uncertainty in games—from Super Mario Bros. to Rock/Paper/Scissors—engages players and shapes play experiences. In life, uncertainty surrounds us. Things that we thought were good for us turn out to be bad for us (and vice versa); people we thought we knew well behave in mysterious ways; the stock market takes a nosedive. Thanks to an inexplicable optimism, most of the time we are fairly cheerful about it all. But we do devote much effort to managing and ameliorating uncertainty. Is it any wonder, then, asks Greg Costikyan, that we have taken this aspect of our lives and transformed it culturally, making a series of elaborate constructs that subject us to uncertainty but in a fictive and nonthreatening way? That is: we create games. In this concise and entertaining book, Costikyan, an award-winning game designer, argues that games require uncertainty to hold our interest, and that the struggle to master uncertainty is central to their appeal. Game designers, he suggests, can harness the idea of uncertainty to guide their work. Costikyan explores the many sources of uncertainty in many sorts of games—from Super Mario Bros. to Rock/Paper/Scissors, from Monopoly to CityVille, from FPS Deathmatch play to Chess. He describes types of uncertainty, including performative uncertainty, analytic complexity, and narrative anticipation. And he suggest ways that game designers who want to craft novel game experiences can use an understanding of game uncertainty in its many forms to improve their designs.

In this beautiful, practical decorating and entertaining guide, Rachel Ashworth reveals how to make any event a special occasion using her signature Shabby Chic style. In this beautiful, accessible book, Rachel Ashwell, the founder of Shabby Chic, shows that sophisticated entertaining doesn’t have to be expensive. Creating beautiful, sumptuous settings for any occasion! Top designer Rachel Ashwell, founder of the Shabby Chic line, is known for her trademark style of transforming drab interiors into warm, inviting spaces. Simply by incorporating a few design elements and a splash of color, Rachel is able to make any environment, whether it's a home or a special event, beautiful and fun. In Shabby Chic: Sumptuous Settings and Other Lovely Things, Rachel proves that her style isn't simply about creating an attractive home but also about creating joyful and pleasant settings for those we love. In this beautiful volume, Rachel applies her distinct eye for style to six very different locations and celebrations, and offers helpful tips on how to host whimsical and unforgettable events. Whether it is casual or formal, big or small, this beautiful book proves that entertaining need not be expensive. From flea markets to local antiques malls, Rachel reveals that the trick to making any event or space something elegant—without breaking the bank—is simply a matter of inspiration, imagination, and the discovery of a fabulous buy. Inside, you'll find practical ideas for any occasion, baby showers to weddings, birthday parties to bar mitzvahs. When it comes to setting a scene, Rachel is an expert and with her easy how-to advice, you can be too. Rachel Ashwell is the creator of the Shabby Chic style. In 1989, she founded the Shabby Chic home furnishing stores and then later, the Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture stores. She is the author of Shabby Chic, Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic Treasure Hunting and Decorating Guide, The Shabby Chic Home, and Shabby Chic: The Gift of Giving. Transforming the every day into an elegant extravaganza is a matter of inspiration and imagination, and in Shabby Chic: Sumptuous Settings and Other Lovely Things she offers exciting ideas to help you create beautiful settings of your own. Travel with her to unique locations, including a Chinese grocery store, a local antique mall, a flower market, and flea markets, to search for the perfect accents that will give an event unexpected charm-without breaking the bank. Rachel teaches you how to use inexpensive treasures to enhance ordinary objects-from adding a coat of paint or some ribbons or flowers to decorate chairs and tables, to creating a themed meal, to easily customizing menus and place cards. When it comes to setting a scene, Rachel is an expert, and in Shabby Chic: Sumptuous Settings and Other Lovely Things she offers easy how-to advice for making any occasion extraordinary, including baby showers, weddings, birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, and even old-fashioned family dinners. Illustrated with 200 full-color photos throughout.