Interesting Choices

OCTOBER 5, 2011

Also wanted to give a quick update on my various boardgame designs: City Draft - This 7 Wonders inspired drafting game is consistently liked in playtests and has been improving slowly and steadily. I thought I was onto something here after I hit a design breakthrough a few weeks ago but I'm getting discouraged again based on recent playtests.

Game Design 40

Game Design Game Designer Playtesting Tile 40

Interesting Choices

AUGUST 17, 2011

Of course, many games have also managed to solve this problem, either intentionally or as a side effect of another mechanic. Hidden information plus restricted communication - For example, adding a rule that says that players can't talk about the cards in their hand. Now to fine tune the rest of the mechanics.

Communications 52

Communications Co-op Mechanics Playtesting 52

iXie gaming

MAY 3, 2024

This form of testing evaluates the basic functions, including gameplay mechanics, menus, controls, and user interfaces. Therefore, when testing, cover all aspects of your game, including audio, graphics, gameplay mechanics, and online features. Also, ensure clear communication between developers, testers, and other stakeholders.

Communications 52

Communications Bug Games Localization 52

Logic Simplified

SEPTEMBER 23, 2024

Level design is a part of video game design that focuses specifically on designing game levels (an area or stage a player must complete before moving on to the next one) while keeping in mind the architecture, layout, video game mechanics , and pace to keep the players invested in the game. Define the gameplay mechanics.

Mechanics 40

Mechanics Games Playtesting Prototyping 40

Big Games

DECEMBER 5, 2023

Different teams collaborate – writers shape the narrative, engineers discuss technical details, artists align visuals, and developers plan in-game mechanics. Playtesters are vital in finding bugs, glitches, and potential issues. Pre-production In pre-production, the creative brainstorming comes to life.

Game Developer 52

Game Developer Game Development Development Bug 52

Deconstructor of Fun

MAY 23, 2023

At that point, Second Dinner revealed that their first project just so happens to be a licensed Marvel IP, which the team has been working on for six months already and is currently beginning to playtest. This intro makes it easy for players to get started and feel comfortable with the game mechanics.

Feature 95

Feature Mechanics Tile Mobile 95

Designer Notes

SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

However, after playtesting, Hudson realized that his game’s meaning was the exact opposite from what he wanted: My game was telling players: You can’t have it all. However, even if designers take the time to build out all of the mechanics needed to create real emotional tension, things can still go awry. Life is zero sum.

Simulation 78

Simulation Agent Game Design Game Designer 78

PreMortem.Games

JUNE 14, 2024

This is of course because of the overhead of management and communication. The grappling hook is one rather unique mechanic in the game in the sense that it is a lot more flexible than most grappling hooks in other games. With my new project I will do A LOT more playtesting early on and also maybe art testing.

Dev 104

Dev Games Playtesting Art 104

Brand Game Development

JULY 20, 2020

I’ve written about the five levels of communication game developers must master. – a card game (print & play) that was primarily a study of implementing a card-flip mechanic (where cards had different effects depending on which side is face-up) that ended up being fun enough to at least make it publicly available.

Prototyping 130

Prototyping Games Dev Playtesting 130