By Tadhg Kelly
Game design consultant and creator of What Games Are
Follow on Twitter @tiedtiger
In my previous article, I explored how video games balance creative freedom with fundamental design constraints. Today, we’ll examine four more essential constants that shape compelling gameplay experiences.
4. Naturalism: Designing for Intuitive Play
Consider soccer—a globally beloved sport with simple rules: score by getting the ball into the opponent’s net, primarily using your feet. Many designers might be tempted to create “Mega-Super-Soccer” with power-ups, multiple balls, or laser beams. While innovative, such additions risk making the game confusing rather than improved.
Why Naturalism Matters:
- Predictable Controls: Players should instinctively understand actions (e.g., pulling a trigger to shoot)
- Consistent Inputs: Avoid mapping multiple actions to the same button
- Logical Menus: Organize complex options intuitively (e.g., grouping building commands)
Balancing Creativity and Clarity:
While weirdness can be exciting (see Frog Fractions), most games benefit from natural design. This doesn’t mean avoiding innovation—transgressive content is welcome—but ensure players can follow the core mechanics.
5. Time: The Framework of Game Loops
All games operate through loops: player action → game response → updated state. These loops fall into four categories based on:
- Dependence: Does the action require other players?
- Presence: Must players be active simultaneously?
The Four Loop Types:
| Loop Type | Dependence | Presence | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-Play | Independent | Absent | Skyrim, Stardew Valley |
| Multi-Play | Dependent | Present | Fortnite, Call of Duty |
| Serial-Play | Dependent | Absent | Words With Friends, play-by-email |
| Parallel-Play | Independent | Present | World of Warcraft, Journey |
Why Time Matters:
- Accessibility: Single-player games dominate because they respect players’ schedules
- Technical Challenges: Multiplayer games struggle with lag, time zones, and dropouts
- Cultural Impact: “Appointment mechanics” (like FarmVille harvests) manipulate time perception
Time constraints shape audience demographics—hardcore players favor multiplayer, while casual gamers prefer flexible single-player or serial experiences.
Next week, we’ll conclude with the final design constants that every game creator should understand.
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