Every game designer should understand Orthogonal Design

Summary

In this insightful video, the concept of 'orthogonal' game design is explored as a fundamental principle for game and level designers. The speaker illustrates how orthogonality in enemy and player abilities, as seen in games like Doom, Dishonored, and Left 4 Dead, leads to diverse gameplay experiences. Using examples from combat and non-combat games, the talk emphasizes how orthogonal design enriches player interactions and enables level designers to craft compelling scenarios. The video concludes with a recommendation for the indie game Tactical Breach Wizards, highlighting its orthogonal design elements.

Takeaways

• 🎮 The concept of 'orthogonal' design in game mechanics is crucial for game and level designers, enhancing the variety and depth of gameplay.
• 🚗 Orthogonal design involves creating elements that are fundamentally different from each other, rather than variations in numbers or scale.
• 🔫 In 'Doom', enemy design is orthogonal, offering different types of enemies that require distinct strategies, enriching the combat experience.
• 🧙‍♂️ 'Dishonored' exemplifies orthogonal player abilities with powers like Blink, Bend Time, and Possession, which offer unique gameplay possibilities.
• 📚 The idea of 'Informed Simplicity' from '101 Things I Learned at Architecture School' parallels the elegance of orthogonal game design, suggesting that a few well-designed elements can create a vast array of experiences.
• 🧟‍♂️ 'Left 4 Dead' uses orthogonal enemy design to ensure a dynamic and varied gameplay experience, with special zombies each having distinct roles and challenges.
• 🧙‍♀️ 'Tactical Breach Wizards' features orthogonal character abilities, allowing for a wide range of tactical combinations and scenarios in a squad-based game.
• 📸 'Alba: A Wildlife Adventure', despite being a non-combat game, benefits from orthogonal design through its mechanics like fixing things, taking photos, and interacting with the community.
• 🛠 Orthogonal game design is not limited to combat games; it can be applied to any game genre to create a more engaging and varied player experience.
• 💡 The video emphasizes the importance of game designers understanding and applying orthogonal design to create games with fewer mechanics but more depth and replayability.

Q & A

What is the concept of 'orthogonal' in game design?

The concept of 'orthogonal' in game design refers to the idea of creating elements such as enemy types, weapons, player abilities, and game mechanics that are fundamentally different from each other, rather than varying only in numbers or degrees. This approach leads to a more diverse and interesting gameplay experience.

Why is orthogonal design important for level designers?

Orthogonal design is important for level designers because it allows for the creation of a wide variety of interesting and unique situations within the game. It enables designers to craft levels that challenge players in different ways, enhancing replayability and player engagement.

Can you provide an example of orthogonal design in vehicle mechanics?

An example of orthogonal design in vehicle mechanics is having a car, a helicopter, and a boat, each designed for different environments (ground, air, sea) and offering unique capabilities. This contrasts with having three cars that only differ in speed, durability, or seating capacity.

How does orthogonal enemy design contribute to the gameplay of 'Doom'?

In 'Doom', orthogonal enemy design contributes to gameplay by offering a variety of enemy types that require different strategies to defeat. For instance, some enemies fire bullets instantly, others launch projectiles, and melee enemies require close proximity to attack, thus creating dynamic combat scenarios.

What are some orthogonal player abilities in 'Dishonored'?

In 'Dishonored', some orthogonal player abilities include Blink, which allows teleportation; Bend Time, which manipulates time; Possession, which lets the player take control of other characters; and Dark Vision, which enables seeing through walls. These abilities are fundamentally different and can be combined in various ways to solve in-game challenges.

How does 'Left 4 Dead' utilize orthogonal enemy design?

'Left 4 Dead' utilizes orthogonal enemy design by featuring special zombies like the Hunter, Smoker, Witch, and Tank, each with distinct behaviors and attack patterns. This design ensures that each encounter feels different, maintaining the game's replayability and dynamic gameplay.

What is the significance of orthogonal design in tactics games?

In tactics games, orthogonal design is significant because it allows for a diverse range of strategic options and outcomes. By having units with unique abilities, players can approach scenarios in various ways, leading to a richer and more engaging experience.

How does the game 'Alba: A Wildlife Adventure' incorporate orthogonal design?

In 'Alba: A Wildlife Adventure', orthogonal design is incorporated through mechanics like fixing things to open navigation options, using a camera to take photos, and engaging in conversations with characters. These distinct mechanics allow for a variety of gameplay experiences without relying on combat.

What is the 'Informed Simplicity' concept from '101 Things I Learned at Architecture School', and how does it relate to orthogonal game design?

The 'Informed Simplicity' concept from '101 Things I Learned at Architecture School' refers to creating a variety of outcomes or designs using a limited set of simple, yet powerful elements. In orthogonal game design, this concept is reflected in the use of a few, distinct mechanics that can be combined in numerous ways to create a rich gameplay experience.

Why is it beneficial for game designers to focus on creating fewer but more brilliant mechanics?

Focusing on creating fewer but more brilliant mechanics is beneficial for game designers because it allows for a more streamlined and intuitive gameplay experience. It also enables players to engage with deeper strategic possibilities, leading to a more satisfying and memorable game.