PreMortem.Games

NOVEMBER 17, 2023

I usually start with a location or concept from which I build a ‘mind map’. But the process doesn’t end there, and usually I keep discovering things that make me go back and forth and iterate, playtest, iterate, refine, playtest, iterate… I definitely recommend getting feedback from external playtesters at each step.” “I

Dev 160

Dev Playtesting Art Games 160

Brand Game Development

SEPTEMBER 24, 2019

As I said last week , “rules regulate the way mechanics are implemented. A mechanic is the concept behind the game and the rule is the way that it’s handled to ensure balance.” Playtest a Ton. Rules are how we implement game mechanics. I have some guidelines. 14 Rules for Board Game Rules.

Balance 130

Balance Games Communications Mechanics 130

Brand Game Development

MARCH 9, 2020

” Besides, when we – as gamers and game developers – put aside our frustration for a moment, we can actually see Monopoly for what it is: a solid concept with bad execution. Watch your playtesters’ reactions. With so many issues, it seems unlikely that Monopoly was thoroughly playtested.

Game Design 130

Game Design Game Designer Playtesting Games 130

Logic Simplified

SEPTEMBER 23, 2024

Let’s begin by understanding the concept of levels in a video game. In a game, new motives, challenges, and concepts are added to the game world, while ensuring they increase the degree of difficulty at every level. Define the gameplay mechanics. What drives a video game, and what factors control its engagement?

Mechanics 65

Mechanics Games Playtesting Concepts 65

Radiator Blog

MARCH 16, 2023

Each level also had unique mechanics and art styles that all tied into a cohesive whole. Then it cuts to concept artist Emily Johnstone anxiously trying to pitch design ideas to a group brainstorm meeting which she just happens to be the only woman in the room. Shouldn't Tim be giving more direction on the level concepts?

Art 147

Art Concepts Dev Studios 147

Brand Game Development

OCTOBER 23, 2017

Sarah: It was also in 2013 that we met Ben and were playtesters for his game Tower , which he launched on Kickstarter early in 2014. Along with handling all the business, Ben has playtested and helped develop our designs. Will: I know for me personally, projects are a big concept. Will was also lead story writer for Tower.

Prototyping 130

Prototyping Games Playtesting Game Design 130

Brand Game Development

DECEMBER 26, 2017

It is true that games speak to players through gameplay – the core engine, mechanics, and rules. Playtesting storytelling. Dylan: For example, the hipster customers in Seize the Bean have a simple, understandable mechanic that is directly tied to the theme and story: they make you raise your hype.

Art 130

Art Mechanics Games Game Development 130

Game Analytics

FEBRUARY 14, 2023

“It’s clear that simulation, as both a genre and concept, is far more popular in VR than in Console and PC games. Playtesting is crucial at this point. That’s interesting and new gameplay for Among Us” There were plenty more features and mechanics the team considered adding. It’s also defined a bit differently.

Dev 91

Dev Playtesting Fantasy Render 91

iXie gaming

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023

Understand Blockchain and NFT Concepts in Gaming As initially stated, NFT games are based on the blockchain concept. This will help you shape the gameplay art style, mechanics, and general experience. Upon establishing your audience, brainstorm unique features and game mechanics. Develop smart contracts.

Game Development 52

Game Development Game Developer Development Asset 52

PreMortem.Games

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

All this before there’s ever any playtesting done. It usually starts with a ‘think pad’, which is basically just a google doc where I write down anything to do with a specific game concept. But I think the main lesson is to test more, test sooner, test elaborately and don’t only test for the game’s mechanics.

Dev 104

Dev Puzzle Prototyping Development 104

Grid Sage Games

NOVEMBER 14, 2023

Beta 11 was a huge milestone in Cogmind development, having completed a comprehensive review of all items and their stats and mechanics in order to rebalance where necessary, a process I wrote about in detail last year. As part of this drive, for months I’ve been creating over 100 new items, most of them including new mechanics.

Balance 52

Balance Mechanics Beta Alpha 52

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. Once I realized that we were going to have to ditch the core mechanism, that kind of meant something like starting over.

Mechanics 52

Mechanics Game Design Game Designer Playtesting 52

Mnenad

JULY 8, 2018

The Mechanic I. I was looking for suitable solutions for having both views in the mechanic of the game. The idea of a helping instance was indeed present in a very early stage of the concept. Old concept of exploring the landscape during night time with a flashlight was implemented as well. Adobe Acrobat Document.

Prototyping 52

Prototyping Terrain Open World Rigging 52

iXie gaming

FEBRUARY 23, 2024

Here’s a quick overview of the entire process of developing multiplayer games, from pre-production to post-release: Concept and Design  Like any other game, the journey of building a multiplayer game starts by creating the game concept. Also, define your game’s genre, interaction modes, and gameplay mechanics.

Game Development 52

Game Development Game Developer Development Quality Assurance 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.

Balance 52

Balance Mechanics Beta Prototyping 52

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. The proof of concept is crucial, helping decide if the game is feasible, its cost, team size, and timeline. Production Production is where the magic unfolds.

Game Development 52

Game Development Game Developer Development Games 52

Grid Sage Games

OCTOBER 2, 2022

The entire mechanic revolves around a single new utility: the Scrap Engine. Although in both cases the results are indeed based on the inputs, the process is not deterministic, so it’s not a pure “crafting” mechanic in that sense. Construct-Related Mechanics. A new utility is born.

Engine 52

Engine Engineering Mechanics Balance 52

Astral Clock Tower Studios

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

Concept Art. Now that our concept art team has nearly completed the designs for all existing assets and items in the Kristala build that needed to be replaced with fresh assets, they're now able to move on to creating brand new items that don't yet have 3D counterparts. 3D Modeling.

Dev 52

Dev Animation Animation Concepts 52

Grid Sage Games

JULY 17, 2022

I’m reminded of Beta 11’s spicing up the main complex with Heavies and Cargo Convoys , though in this case it’s not just adding one or two new mechanics but instead about turning Garrisons into proper branch maps in terms of content distribution… Encounter Architecture. Some concepts: More enemies could show up?

Beta 52

Beta Content Balance Mechanics 52

Tom Francis

AUGUST 20, 2019

Could just be theme/art/flash, or perhaps a mechanics change? A lot of people have trouble understanding this concept or just don’t like it. In my playtests this version feels like it gives you a lot more to think about, and more control over your success, which is why I’m ok with allowing a hard failure state.

Games 52

Games Playtesting Prototyping Concepts 52

Deconstructor of Fun

OCTOBER 17, 2022

The only examples of F2P shooters at scale were Korean (Crossfire) and Chinese (Assault Fire/Ni-Zhan), both focused on pay-to-win mechanics. There was no concept of events or free/ earnable content. This was driven by the desire to make a big first impression and match the expectations of fans looking for authentic ‘CoD moments’.

Content 52

Content FPS Mobile Mobile 52

Grid Sage Games

NOVEMBER 16, 2023

Cogmind generally has fewer such direct escape options, but teleport mechanics are out there, if an advanced tech not usually available until the late game. As a general concept teleportation technology exists in quite a few varieties throughout the world of Cogmind, though the player only has access to some of them.

Mechanics 52

Mechanics Concepts Balance Terrain 52

Brand Game Development

JULY 15, 2019

Particularly when hard choices come from simple mechanics. I knew I needed a mechanic that gave players a choice of one adventurer from several options. When selecting a game mechanic, it is the most familiar solution. This was a warning that I might be taking the path of least resistance when picking a mechanic.

Tile 130

Tile Mechanics Games Puzzle 130

Radiator Blog

JUNE 30, 2022

Violence is usually the first thing to prototype in an action game, but here it surprised me how much work it took to hack violence into an existing system that had no concept of it. L loss or often worse, since cops can exploit the same chain reaction mechanic as the player. L of semen for each one. L gain, cop attacks inflict a -1.0

Code 100

Code Education Educational Prototyping 100

Brand Game Development

JULY 20, 2020

– 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. Garret: Go Fish Fitness – my first Kickstarter print release.

Prototyping 130

Prototyping Games Dev Playtesting 130