Grid Sage Games

MAY 8, 2022

Recently a player asked me a question regarding my game balance philosophy, and while I can often respond to queries by pointing to some previous article, despite all my writing and no doubt occasionally touching on related topics, I had yet to explicitly do any sort of summary of the philosophy behind my gamedev work. Difficulty.

Game Design 52

Game Design Game Designer Balance Games 52

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

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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.

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Brand Game Development

SEPTEMBER 24, 2019

This week while working on my current board game design, a lot of things have come into focus. Now it’s time to start tweaking board game rules. This is where board game design often becomes very tricky. Need help on your board game? Making Balanced & Clear Rules. Rules vs. Rulebooks.

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Balance Games Communications Mechanics 130

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.

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Mechanics Content Puzzle Mobile Gaming 98

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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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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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.

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Grid Sage Games

NOVEMBER 20, 2023

Well I don’t really want* to go as far as creating a full-blown in-game design system with a dedicated interactive UI like you might find in some sort of RTS or games with a vehicle design element. On that note, one area of concern here is that Cogmind’s allies are notoriously disposable, by design.

Mechanics 52

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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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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.

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Game Dev Unchained

NOVEMBER 13, 2023

This episode is sponsored by Autodesk AU 2023 | November 13-15 in Las Vegas ⁠ ⁠ My conversation with Brian Canary, a seasoned game designer, reveals the intricacies of the industry’s shifting dynamics. Collaboration and Single-Player Game Resurgence The discourse delves deep into the essence of game design—collaboration.

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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.

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Ask a Game Dev

NOVEMBER 3, 2023

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.

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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?”

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Brand Game Development

JULY 15, 2019

One of the hallmarks of good board game design is being able to create hard choices. Particularly when hard choices come from simple mechanics. Sounds easy enough to do, but it’s actually really tough from the designer’s perspective! Let’s talk about how you can create hard choices in your board game.

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iXie gaming

MAY 24, 2023

To create a more engaging experience, developers are finding new ways to incorporate multiplayer elements into their games. This trend presents a unique challenge for developers, as it requires them to balance gameplay mechanics and technical capabilities to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all players.

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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.

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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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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.

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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.

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iXie gaming

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

PlayStation game testers provide detailed feedback on the gameplay, controls, game balance, and user interface, helping improve the final product. Therefore, you must familiarize yourself with the game design documents and understand the intended gameplay mechanics.

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iXie gaming

MAY 24, 2023

AI-driven tools generate dynamic content, adapt game mechanics, and customize aesthetics, resulting in more engaging gameplay and new storytelling possibilities. Predicting the outcomes of complicated gaming systems is one area where AI is having a significant effect.

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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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Brand Game Development

JULY 22, 2019

Perfect board game pacing is one of the most underrated aspects of board game design. Somewhere between overwhelm and ennui, there lies a middle ground where a game is perfectly paced. A great board game feels challenging and interesting throughout. Now I want to zoom out a bit and look at the design as a whole.

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Tile Games Playtesting Balance 130

Deconstructor of Fun

JUNE 6, 2022

Passes can generate different player experiences, follow a different balance, and emphasize different components depending on the genre and audience. For most players (including payers) the Pass is primarily retention and an engagement mechanism. Some examples are: Faster Progression.

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Designer Notes

MARCH 31, 2023

Welcome to My Elephant in the Room: An Old World Design Postmortem. Here are the games that I’ve worked on. Spoiler alert: Civilization 3 and 4 are going to come up a lot in the presentation… I also do a podcast where I interview game designers about why they make games, so check it out if you have time for 4-hour interviews.

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Tile Point and Click AI Mechanics 98

iXie gaming

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

With many games available today, gamers won’t hesitate to switch to a different game. But how can generative AI help in-game conceptualization and design? Generative AI tools can help game designers in different ways. This streamlines the early game development stages.

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Brand Game Development

OCTOBER 23, 2017

Sarah: It was summer of 2012 that Will had the idea to make a board game for my birthday, but didn’t know how to go about it. We started designing games together. Early in 2013, our local game store owner mentioned that there were other designers in the area. How do you overcome those?

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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.

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Grid Sage Games

SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

Overall Rogue doesn’t really have many different item characteristics to modify or games systems to interact with, which is a primary limiting factor in the extent of randomization a game can support. Find a Mechanic who may be hanging around a Repair Station. Cogmind’s Strictly Static Items. Low on treads or armor?

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