Externalities Make Games Easier to Learn
The biggest barrier to introducing a new game is teaching someone how to play. They not only need to learn the rules but also figure out which strategies and goals to pursue before
Externalities
While pursuing a goal, players may create new opportunities or threats for themselves or others as a side effect of their actions. This creates new goals for players, ensuring gameplay does not stall once they have achieved their primary goal.
Why Rift Wizard 3’s Crafting System Works So Well
Rift Wizard and Rift Wizard 2 are excellent turn-based roguelike games about building an arsenal of spells and solving puzzles involving killing many monsters. So I was thrilled to see the demo
The Game Should React to the Player
In writing, we know that audiences prefer proactive characters to reactive ones. Likewise, in game design, we want to frame players in a proactive rather than a reactive role. Practically, this means they
How to Connect Subgames Through Goals, Actions, and Obstacles
Every game is composed of multiple smaller subgames. The quality of their connections determines how unified the game feels. When connections are loose, as in "chessboxing", players easily perceive the individual
Designing Auctions Players Can Afford to Lose
Auction mechanics risk creating degenerate gameplay when the item bid on is so valuable that players are forced to bid it up. Generally, you want situations where players are comfortable losing an auction.