/game-design

name: game-design
description: "Game design principles. GDD structure, balancing, player psychology, progression."
risk: unknown
source: community
date_added: "2026-02-27"

Game Design Principles

> Design thinking for engaging games.

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1. Core Loop Design

The 30-Second Test

Every game needs a fun 30-second loop:
1. ACTION → Player does something
2. FEEDBACK → Game responds
3. REWARD → Player feels good
4. REPEAT

Loop Examples

| Genre | Core Loop | |-------|-----------| | Platformer | Run → Jump → Land → Collect | | Shooter | Aim → Shoot → Kill → Loot | | Puzzle | Observe → Think → Solve → Advance | | RPG | Explore → Fight → Level → Gear |

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2. Game Design Document (GDD)

Essential Sections

| Section | Content | |---------|---------| | **Pitch** | One-sentence description | | **Core Loop** | 30-second gameplay | | **Mechanics** | How systems work | | **Progression** | How player advances | | **Art Style** | Visual direction | | **Audio** | Sound direction |

Principles

• Keep it living (update regularly)
• Visuals help communicate
• Less is more (start small)

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3. Player Psychology

Motivation Types

| Type | Driven By | |------|-----------| | **Achiever** | Goals, completion | | **Explorer** | Discovery, secrets | | **Socializer** | Interaction, community | | **Killer** | Competition, dominance |

Reward Schedules

| Schedule | Effect | Use | |----------|--------|-----| | **Fixed** | Predictable | Milestone rewards | | **Variable** | Addictive | Loot drops | | **Ratio** | Effort-based | Grind games |

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4. Difficulty Balancing

Flow State

Too Hard → Frustration → Quit
Too Easy → Boredom → Quit
Just Right → Flow → Engagement

Balancing Strategies

| Strategy | How | |----------|-----| | **Dynamic** | Adjust to player skill | | **Selection** | Let player choose | | **Accessibility** | Options for all |

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5. Progression Design

Progression Types

| Type | Example | |------|---------| | **Skill** | Player gets better | | **Power** | Character gets stronger | | **Content** | New areas unlock | | **Story** | Narrative advances |

Pacing Principles

• Early wins (hook quickly)
• Gradually increase challenge
• Rest beats between intensity
• Meaningful choices

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6. Anti-Patterns

| ❌ Don't | ✅ Do | |----------|-------| | Design in isolation | Playtest constantly | | Polish before fun | Prototype first | | Force one way to play | Allow player expression | | Punish excessively | Reward progress |

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> **Remember:** Fun is discovered through iteration, not designed on paper.

When to Use

This skill is applicable to execute the workflow or actions described in the overview.

Limitations

• Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
• Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
• Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.