Game Design

Game Design Principles

> Design thinking for engaging games.

1. Core Loop Design

The 30-Second Test

Every game needs a fun 30-second loop:
1. ACTION → Player does something
2. FEEDBACK → Game responds
3. REWARD → Player feels good
4. REPEAT

Loop Examples

| Genre | Core Loop |

|-------|-----------|

| Platformer | Run → Jump → Land → Collect |

| Shooter | Aim → Shoot → Kill → Loot |

| Puzzle | Observe → Think → Solve → Advance |

| RPG | Explore → Fight → Level → Gear |

2. Game Design Document (GDD)

Essential Sections

| Section | Content |

|---------|---------|

| Pitch | One-sentence description |

| Core Loop | 30-second gameplay |

| Mechanics | How systems work |

| Progression | How player advances |

| Art Style | Visual direction |

| Audio | Sound direction |

Principles

• Keep it living (update regularly)
• Visuals help communicate
• Less is more (start small)

3. Player Psychology

Motivation Types

| Type | Driven By |

|------|-----------|

| Achiever | Goals, completion |

| Explorer | Discovery, secrets |

| Socializer | Interaction, community |

| Killer | Competition, dominance |

Reward Schedules

| Schedule | Effect | Use |

|----------|--------|-----|

| Fixed | Predictable | Milestone rewards |

| Variable | Addictive | Loot drops |

| Ratio | Effort-based | Grind games |

4. Difficulty Balancing

Flow State

Too Hard → Frustration → Quit
Too Easy → Boredom → Quit
Just Right → Flow → Engagement

Balancing Strategies

| Strategy | How |

|----------|-----|

| Dynamic | Adjust to player skill |

| Selection | Let player choose |

| Accessibility | Options for all |

5. Progression Design

Progression Types

| Type | Example |

|------|---------|

| Skill | Player gets better |

| Power | Character gets stronger |

| Content | New areas unlock |

| Story | Narrative advances |

Pacing Principles

• Early wins (hook quickly)
• Gradually increase challenge
• Rest beats between intensity
• Meaningful choices

6. Anti-Patterns

| ❌ Don't | ✅ Do |

|----------|-------|

| Design in isolation | Playtest constantly |

| Polish before fun | Prototype first |

| Force one way to play | Allow player expression |

| Punish excessively | Reward progress |

> Remember: Fun is discovered through iteration, not designed on paper.