Accidental Progression Is Still Progression
We want players to feel like they are getting stronger over the course of the game, but increasing their power level as a function of time alone feels unearned. Players want progression to
Players Don't Care About Counterfactual Success
One game I am working on right now is a social deduction game with a drawing element. Players conceal subtle details in their drawings in case they are randomly selected for a secret
Don’t Ask Defenders to Roll Dice
Effort in games should be balanced by reward. When players perform work for no reward, the game seems long, tedious, and not worth the setup. Rolling dice is work, and rolling attack dice
Managing Cognitive Load Through Resource Outlets
The most precious resource in games is player attention. There is only so much to go around, and when players run out, they feel overwhelmed. Attention burden is caused by options and passive
Memory and Push-Your-Luck Mechanics Pair Perfectly
Both push-your-luck and memory mechanics have weaknesses that can lead to negative experiences. In push-your-luck games, an unlucky run can end much earlier than expected, leading to a bust