How Game Designers Solved These 11 Problems

Summary

In this episode of Game Maker's Toolkit, Mark Brown explores the challenges of game design through various case studies, focusing on problem-solving strategies used by developers. He highlights the importance of accurately identifying issues, collaborating on solutions, and considering player behavior. Approaches include quick iterations, understanding game mechanics, making bold changes, and drawing inspiration from other areas. The video illustrates how thoughtful adjustments can balance gameplay, enhance player experience, and address unforeseen consequences, ultimately emphasizing that effective game design is about crafting solutions that resonate with players.

Takeaways

• 😀 The active reload mechanic in Gears of War creates tension and skill-based gameplay but required balancing due to disparities between novice and advanced players.
• 😀 Identifying the root cause of a problem is crucial before attempting to solve it, as seen in the case of weapon durability in Dying Light.
• 😀 Alignment among team members about the problem is essential for effective solutions, demonstrated by the different perspectives on crafting systems in Astroneer.
• 😀 Rapid iteration on potential solutions can lead to unexpected insights and effective changes, as shown in the development of Diablo 3.
• 😀 Understanding which game mechanics are fixed (non-negotiable) allows designers to focus on the aspects that can be adjusted, as illustrated by the sniper rifle adjustments in Halo 3.
• 😀 Sometimes, dramatic changes can yield better results than minor tweaks, like Sid Meier's decision to halve the map size in the first Civilization.
• 😀 Reversing a design concept can lead to a successful solution, as Yacht Club did by flipping the checkpoint payment system in Shovel Knight.
• 😀 Solutions can often be found by looking at problems from a different perspective or even outside the immediate system, as seen in The Last of Us's UI redesign.
• 😀 Effective design solutions can address multiple issues simultaneously, enhancing gameplay experiences, exemplified by the bubble respawn system in New Super Mario Bros. Wii.
• 😀 Continuous testing and player feedback are vital to determine if implemented solutions have the desired effects, ensuring the design remains player-centered.

Q & A

What is the active reload feature in Gears of War?

The active reload feature is a mini-game that players engage in when reloading their weapon, where timing affects the speed of the reload and the power of the bullets.

What problem did the active reload feature create for game balance?

Advanced players could consistently achieve perfect reloads, gaining a damage advantage, which necessitated rebalancing enemies to make them more resistant.

How did the design team for Dying Light address weapon durability issues?

Instead of increasing weapon durability, the lead designer reduced enemy health, allowing players to kill more zombies before their weapons broke.

What common pitfall did the Astroneer design team face regarding crafting improvements?

The team had differing views on the crafting system's simplicity versus complexity, leading to confusion until they identified the root cause of their disagreements.

What iterative process did Blizzard use to solve potion spamming in Diablo 3?

Blizzard experimented with multiple ideas, including limiting potion effectiveness and changing healing mechanics, until they found that having enemies drop health orbs solved the issue effectively.

How did Bungie's Jaime Griesemer identify changes needed for the sniper rifle in Halo 3?

He focused on which aspects of the sniper rifle could not be changed, like its range and damage, allowing the team to identify the reload time as the primary factor to adjust.

What significant change did Sid Meier make to the first Civilization game to improve pacing?

He halved the map size, which improved game pacing and contributed to a more dynamic gameplay experience.

What was Yacht Club's solution to the checkpoint system in Shovel Knight?

They reversed the concept, allowing players to save automatically for free, while providing a risk-reward scenario for experienced players.

How did Naughty Dog improve the weapon upgrade system in The Last of Us?

They removed upgrades from the inventory UI and introduced upgrade benches, ensuring players engaged with the system more meaningfully.

What approach did the New Super Mario Bros. Wii designers take to address player respawning issues?

They implemented a bubble system for knocked-out players, allowing teammates to pop them back into the game, which also facilitated player-driven difficulty adjustments.