Ask a Game Dev

DECEMBER 8, 2023

Most of the time, we start by setting a target time we think the game experience should take for a first-time player to feel what we want them to feel, and then add about 50% to that. A long fight should feel like a protracted fight and the time limit should reflect that.

Playtesting 52

Playtesting Fighting Dev Games 52

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. There are a lot of questionable game design decisions that, if corrected, could have made for a fantastic game.

Game Design 130

Game Design Game Designer Playtesting Games 130

Brand Game Development

FEBRUARY 17, 2020

If you hate the game you’re playtesting, do something different. Tasty Humans is about monsters fighting humans instead of the other way around, which gets a sick laugh out of everybody who sees the game. If you want your game to be great, it can’t simply be a technical masterpiece. Make it feel unique.

Game Design 130

Game Design Game Designer Tile Games 130

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? Playtest a Ton. I have some guidelines.

Balance 130

Balance Games Communications Mechanics 130

Rindoku

OCTOBER 7, 2016

After months of toiling in a secluded attic, the last weeks of which were particularly grueling, we finally took Second Hand to its first public showings: first to Dev-Play in Bucharest and shortly thereafter to Clujotronic in our very own Cluj. It was scary, thrilling, amazing and… we won the Dev-Play Indie Pitch! Color me excited!

Point and Click 52

Point and Click Dev Demo Playtesting 52

Brand Game Development

JUNE 11, 2018

I’m a solo game designer/developer of strategy games on both analog and digital platforms! I’m currently working on releasing my first game, State of Wonder , as well three other projects on the side. You fight to take the throne either through military conquest or economic prowess.

Prototyping 130

Prototyping Games Localization Demo 130

Grid Sage Games

MARCH 10, 2022

Beta 11 is finally tackling this project, and we’ve already seen it manifested across propulsion , weapon mechanics , storage units , fabrication and more, but the comprehensive item-by-item review has only come to pass as part of the conclusion to this dev cycle. The biggest change there was simply yet more significant damage buffs.

Balance 52

Balance Mechanics Beta Prototyping 52