Game design (Moneymaking)

Moneymaking perspective
Most games today follow a simple formula, like stories: there is a conflict in an unbroken linear story, in which the player ("hero") struggles to solve the conflict, along with simple puzzles and predictable challenges.

This is the best way to go for short-term moneymaking, judging from 1) current consumer expectations and 2) the common format of existing games

However, here we will go over game design in general, not just the way in which to make a quick profit.

Existing books/resources
(Legal link; a few sample chapters ) Game Design: A Book of Lenses - Jesse Schell

The Game Entity - Altdevblogaday.com

Mike Darga's game design blog

Design fundamentals
See: Fundamentals of computing