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https://sites.psu.edu/gamedesignbynickdemarco/2014/02/13/emergent-complexity-in-games/
emergent gameplay complexity economy Scribblenauts Pokemon
Emergent gameplay is the holy grail of game design. Game designers can implement intentional emergence (e.g. Scribblenauts) and unintentional emergence (e.g. Pokemon cloning glitch), which can break your game.
https://www.gamesprecipice.com/complexity-emergent-gameplay/
emergent gameplay depth complexity mechanics scoring cross-game analysis
Complexity, depth, and the ratio between them determines emergent gameplay. A look at some board games that create depth out of simple mechanics, and how rules, scoring, and social elements can increase depth without increasing complexity. (Looks at board games, but directly applicable to video games.)
https://medium.com/@GWBycer/how-to-design-a-game-around-emergent-gameplay-a9348557570b
emergent gameplay depth complexity mechanics goals
A look at what emergent gameplay is and isn't, and some ingredients that support emergent gameplay: mechanics with multiple purposes, properties, goals, multiple solutions. It isn't just an open world or a moddable game.