Player-Game Descriptive Index (PGDI)

The Player-Game Descriptive Index (PGDI)

The Player-Game Descriptive Index (PGDI) is a model of describing games by means of their components. The aim is to be able to describe games and their players, as well as be able to compare games and players with each other. This model was developed in 2012 by synthesizing research done on player types and player motivations. The result was a series of 26 components, divided into six categories. The synthesis and research behind PGDI can be found on this website, and more formally may be found in the following source: Thomét, M. (2013). Using components to describe videogames and their players. In Z. Waggoner (Ed.), Terms of play: Essays on words that matter in videogame theory. Jefferson, NC: McFarland. [Link]

PGDI is still being developed and refined. The pages linked here will be the most up to date version I can link to, with whatever needed justification listed. All posts related to PGDI can be found here. Click on the links below to go to the relevant page for the category or component. For a more in-depth description of the model, how it came about and how it works, click here.

Player-Game Descriptive Index (PGDI)
Social (S)	Participation (Pa)	Mastery (M)
Community	Agency	Achievement
Competition	Challenge	Collecting
Cooperation	Power	Discovery
Multiplayer	Reward	Process
		Skill
Immersion (I)	Customization (C)	Progression (Pr)
Embodiment	Building	Ability
Emotion	Experimentation	Character
Excitement	Replay	Goals
Instinct	Uniqueness	Plot
	Variety