PreMortem.Games

FEBRUARY 24, 2025

According to Carlos Casals , 3D Artist and Co-founder of Ticking Clock Games, “We were throwing around all sorts of mechanics and game genres, but we kept coming back to one image; a flying ship.” The seed for Void Sails was planted during one of the team’s early brainstorming sessions.

Point and Click 104

Point and Click Games Feature Balance 104

Brand Game Development

DECEMBER 11, 2017

Board game development is a very individual process. Every single developer has different methods for creating their games. This article is the sixth of a 19-part suite on board game design and development. Need help on your board game? Rules provide directions on how to execute activities within a game.

Mechanics 130

Mechanics Writing Concepts Games 130

iXie gaming

APRIL 16, 2024

Establishing a sustainable and balanced game economy is crucial to the success of any game, as it helps drive player satisfaction and engagement. However, the gaming world has been evolving constantly. Creating a sustainable game economy using game analytics can be challenging. Where Do You Start?

Balance 52

Balance Games Data Game Designer 52

PreMortem.Games

OCTOBER 25, 2024

It’s a brutal journey of persistence, frustration, and constant restarts, where the stakes are as emotional as they are mechanical. As first-time indie developers, their journey mirrors the very game they’ve crafted. Internal debate The development of Ascending Inferno wasn’t just about embracing punishing mechanics though.

Studios 118

Studios Indy Mechanics Games 118

Brand Game Development

MARCH 13, 2017

Not only does he help gamers make healthier choices, but he’s a fledgling designer himself! Today he shares with us a game he really enjoys: Colony. Burt: I’ve fallen in love with Colony by Bezier Games, designed by Ted Alspach, Toryo Hojo, and N2 (the pen name for Yoshihisa Nakatsu). Need help on your board game?

Mechanics 130

Mechanics Games Advertising Build 130

Big Games

MARCH 27, 2025

Unreal Engine Created by Epic Games, it is well known for its advanced rendering capabilities and excellent visuals. Although it mostly employs C++, it also provides a visual scripting language called Blueprints that lets programmers construct intricate mechanics without knowing how to code.

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Engine Engineering Game Developer Game Development 52

iXie gaming

MAY 24, 2024

Developers have long utilized game analytics for various purposes, such as understanding player behavior, enhancing user experience, and improving game design. In this article, we dive into the ethical considerations developers must consider in-game analytics to ensure a balance between data usage and player privacy.

Data 52

Data Balance Games Game Development 52

Brand Game Development

JANUARY 29, 2018

Board game development is a very individual process. Every single developer has different methods for creating their games. This article is the thirteenth of a 19-part suite on board game design and development. This week, I want to zero in on the subject of making the perfect board game rule book.

Writing 130

Writing Games Mechanics Balance 130

Brand Game Development

DECEMBER 22, 2017

After all, I’m checking to make sure there are no serious balance issues that come out of repeated plays. I’ve already play-tested this game a ton. I even blind play-tested it at a game design convention. Need help on your board game? “How many blind play-tests does your board game really need?”

Point and Click 130

Point and Click Dev Games Mechanics 130

Logic Simplified

NOVEMBER 26, 2024

Core Mechanics of an Endless Runner Game Game mechanics make a video game engaging and challenging for players. They are used in a way to differentiate a game from others and make it stand out. The player’s objective is to survive for as long as possible to reach a high score.

Mechanics 40

Mechanics Games Feature Concepts 40

Brand Game Development

JULY 14, 2017

When I talk about game design itself, I often talk about the relentless play-testing , balancing , and different levels of communication that you must master so that your game is understood and enjoyed. Need help on your board game? Join my community of over 2,000 game developers, artists, and passionate creators.

Art 130

Art Dev Mechanics Game Development 130

Logic Simplified

SEPTEMBER 23, 2024

This sense of putting a player's abilities to use against a difficult situation in a game (challenge), and rewarding their potential for every challenge they overcome and every progress they make in the game (achievement), makes a player want to play. What is Level Design? Process of Level Designing and Game Development 1.

Mechanics 64

Mechanics Games Playtesting Prototyping 64

Brand Game Development

MAY 12, 2017

Instead of focusing directly on game development, I’ve focused on learning as much as I can about board games. That includes popular games, mechanics, and themes; well-known designers; and how to run a successful Kickstarter. Want to learn game development?

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Dev Game Development Game Developer Balance 130

Played with Fire

NOVEMBER 27, 2023

The challenge for VR game developers lies in designing mechanics that are both challenging and appealing to advanced players. In this article, we will explore the key elements to consider when designing VR games for experienced players. It often turns out, I should say, that the games are simply too… easy.

Mechanics 72

Mechanics Games Technology Entertainment 72

PreMortem.Games

OCTOBER 2, 2024

“It wasn’t exactly a deliberate choice,” he explains, “I had a small game idea that I wanted to finish and publish, and it seemed doable alone.” What started as a simple concept quickly turned into a game that challenges players with a mix of strategic depth and risk-reward mechanics. How did you get the idea for Axe Ghost?

Dev 104

Dev Development Mechanics Writing 104

Deconstructor of Fun

JANUARY 29, 2024

Events with different mechanics sometimes complement each other, but at other times they divert players' attention, resulting in reduced activity and monetization. Many game designers will instantly say: "How can we show the player the same thing? Plan content looping during the feature design phase.

Mechanics 98

Mechanics Content Puzzle Games 98

Radiator Blog

MARCH 16, 2023

I assumed it was mostly for fans but after watching all 32 episodes (on 2x speed, skipping some parts) I've changed my mind and now I think it's essential viewing for all game designers / devs. Each level also had unique mechanics and art styles that all tied into a cohesive whole. What's the balance?

Art 147

Art Concepts Dev Studios 147

Logic Simplified

OCTOBER 18, 2023

The Demand for Multiplayer Games There is a great demand for multiplayer games and it is the tech experts, creative thinkers, and game designers who have made them what they are today. Let’s elaborate on how multiplayer game design isn’t as simple as just throwing together some mechanics and calling it a day.

Game Design 52

Game Design Game Designer Balance Concepts 52

Game Dev Unchained

MAY 21, 2024

’ Through our discussion, I gained a profound appreciation for the delicate balance required to honor the original’s spirit while introducing innovative gameplay mechanics that captivate a new generation of gamers. This balance was achieved through a combination of careful planning and creative experimentation.

Game Developer 52

Game Developer Game Development Development Balance 52

PreMortem.Games

MARCH 22, 2024

“So, a turn-based-tactics game based around sabotage and assassination operations felt like something fresh to us”, says Senior Game Designer Lee Brimmicombe-Wood. We wanted a past that was a little more colourful than that and balanced the visuals accordingly”, explains Brimmicombe-Wood.

Games 99

Games Concepts Film Balance 99

Deconstructor of Fun

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

GIFTING: One very innovative use of Stars is the ability for apps to allow their players to send Paid Gifts to each other — special badges or achievements that live outside of the game and that players can show off on their Telegram profile. Experience with idle games — making a repetitive action seem fun and not taxing — is key.

Games 52

Games Platformer Balance Mobile 52

Grid Sage Games

MARCH 10, 2022

Mechanics that are never quite worth taking advantage of, items that haven’t lived up to their potential, or were later superseded by other options but remained unchanged, or even long-term experiments that were included at some point but never updated/expanded/removed. Alien Artifacts.

Balance 52

Balance Mechanics Beta Prototyping 52

iXie gaming

MAY 26, 2023

By following the do’s and avoiding the don’ts, you can ensure that your game stands out in the competitive PC gaming market. In this guide, we will cover a range of topics, including best practices for game design, effective marketing strategies, and tips for optimizing game performance.

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PC Game Developer Game Development Development 52

Brand Game Development

AUGUST 11, 2017

You can choose to observe them while playing or elicit their feedback after the game has ended. Part of why game developer presence is so important in early play-testing is because of the possibility for games to completely break down. I tend to break this definition down even further. Period, point blank.

Point and Click 100

Point and Click Games Art Communications 100

Logic Simplified

OCTOBER 31, 2023

When creating a game, game app developers analyze player behavior to improve their interactive scenarios, by identifying what works and what doesn't for the players in a game. This is done to refine the game design and create a more enjoyable experience for their audience.

Games 52

Games Data Balance Mechanics 52

Game Analytics

DECEMBER 5, 2022

One of the reasons why hyper-casual games are so popular is due to how quick and easy they are to make. Simple controls, artwork, and game design make it easy for any developer to pick up. There are other ways to build a game on a budget. Because choice is how you can differentiate a book from a game.

Horror 109

Horror Games Mobile Mobile 109

Keith Burgun

JANUARY 4, 2023

For month after month, I tried fixing them with different supporting mechanisms, different ways that cards were obtained, different ways damage was dealt, and a lot more, but nothing really fixed the fundamental problem. Let me quickly explain how the game worked in broad strokes, and then I can explain the main problem.

Mechanics 52

Mechanics Game Designer Game Design Playtesting 52

Deconstructor of Fun

DECEMBER 11, 2020

Proven : The first merge games in the app stores were the immensely popular 2048 and the game design darling Triple Town (also by Neskin). Despite having relatively little in the way of progression or monetization, these games drove large download numbers that indicated the potential for this mechanic.

Mechanics 52

Mechanics Build Balance Data 52

iXie gaming

FEBRUARY 11, 2024

These adjustments touch upon various facets such as gameplay, user interface, and overall game design. While most of the decisions are made from within the confines of the development studio itself, developers place considerable importance on a specific form of game testing to gather invaluable insights.

Mechanics 52

Mechanics Games Platformer Indy 52

iHobo

MARCH 16, 2022

A decision was made at some point that we would focus on getting the game balance right for the main body of the game, and not worry too much about the ending. I’m sure other game designers would have felt it necessary to work on making the final boss a mountain to climb – but it’s not really my style.

Scripting 52

Scripting Balance Mechanics Fantasy 52

Game Designing

SEPTEMBER 27, 2023

Just like reality, games need an internal mechanism for the distribution of resources during gameplay. This system is known as the video game economy. The in-game economy creates balance within the game by enabling the player to earn and spend resources as part of the game’s progression.

Build 52

Build Balance Games Asset 52

iXie gaming

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023

Automation ensures that a wide range of game features, mechanics, and interactions are thoroughly tested, increasing the likelihood of detecting potential issues before the game’s release. User Interface Interaction: Game automation tools may face challenges when interacting with complex user interfaces.

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Bug Balance Games Scripting 52

Ask a Game Dev

AUGUST 22, 2024

However, I don’t want to leave things too abstract - game design is about taking an idea and translating it into real game rules and mechanics. Today, I’ll go into some more specific implementation principles that designers can use while crafting their choices in order to get the player thinking.

Mechanics 52

Mechanics AI Dev Racing 52

iXie gaming

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023

This will help you shape the gameplay art style, mechanics, and general experience. Upon establishing your audience, brainstorm unique features and game mechanics. Most NFT games grant players meaningful control over their assets. Design a clear game concept integrating NFTs and define gameplay mechanics.

Game Developer 52

Game Developer Game Development Development Asset 52

Deconstructor of Fun

MARCH 4, 2019

With progressively deep content wrapped into a single slot machine, casual art style, a more substantial meta, strong social features, hyperactive live operations and great UX/production value, Israeli developer Moon Active has pretty much flipped the traditional Slots games design model on its head. Attacks and Raids - PvP Gameplay.

UX 52

UX Mechanics Build Point and Click 52

Grid Sage Games

DECEMBER 3, 2022

This year’s major release was of course Beta 11 “Mechanical Renaissance,” in the works for 17 (!) months, and a massive set of new toys, challenges , revamped mechanics , and more. I’ve also been writing more general roguelike-related articles, too, looking at game design , item randomization , and backtracking.

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Beta Mechanics Content Art 52

CG Spectrum

JUNE 10, 2024

3D Modelling 3D Animation FX Concept Art 2D Animation Game Design Game Programming 3D Modelling: Shaping Virtual Worlds “3D modelling is a rewarding career where you get to bring concepts and 2D imagery to life, sculpting personality and story into characters, objects, and environments.

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Film Animation Animation Concepts 52