FEEDBACK LOOPS When connections form feedback loops there are two patterns that can emerge: Balancing feedback loops and Reinforcing feedback loops. Balancing feedback loops tend to take the system to a balance point. The classic example is to look at the operation of an air-conditioner machine. You set the number
PART 1 The article consists of two parts. In this first part, we will understand the basics of systems, to understand what are their composing parts. In part 2 we will understand how Feedback Loops form different engines in order to craft experiences for the players. WHY “ALMOST A HERO”?
Game jams can be scary, but they are also one of the most effective ways to learn about the process of creating the game (while having great fun doing it!) Let’s explore some tips for working effectively in a game jam and how to get the most of it.
One of my first games created in the RTS genre was Our Planet is Dying, a spaceship-themed game with grid movement in the Space (combat units) and free movement on the Base (resource-gatherer units). The overall gameplay was judged positively by the testers, but something was missing. Some time after
This essay is a compendium of a talk I gave (Spanish) in October 1st, 2019, in the context of Gamedev Planet, a monthly gathering in Santiago, Chile, where gamemakers give talks and show demos of their in-development games. This talk focused on the decision-making process from the players and how to analyze
Maybe you don’t know it, but in the older days, I was a professional musician. I’ve struggled for many years trying to find a relationship between both worlds. Can we find a relationship between Music Theory and Game Design Theory? How could we benefit from that?
One of the pillars of motivation is a framework known as Competence, Autonomy and Relatedness. But the last one, although being one of the most important for social connection, is often left behind by (especially single-player) game designers. How can you add Relatedness to your single-player games?
There are games with very innovative mechanics that seem familiar, although new. There are other games that have stunning graphics. And there are others like “Before We Leave” that have both. The economy of the game is innovative, yet easy to grasp. How can you achieve this balance?
To learn Systems Design you first have to understand Systems Thinking. Once you are already familiar with real-world systems, you’ll notice that they are everywhere. But the real power is achieved once you’re able to translate a well-known real-world system to a game world…
Frostpunk’s Book of Laws can seem like a regular tech tree, but behind its (not so) innocent appearance, you can find a source of well-crafted opportunities for players to make meaningful decisions about the people in their colony. Can humanising these characters have an influence on players’ decisions?