Game Mechanics

Written by: Akram Taghavi-Burris | © Copyright 2024

How does the game work?

Game mechanics are the building blocks that determine how a game functions. They encompass the rules, systems, and interactions that players engage with during gameplay, addressing the fundamental question: how does the game work?

Game mechanics refer to the formal elements of a game, primarily rules and procedures, designed to create engaging gameplay.

Gameplay

Gameplay consists of all player experiences primarily the challenges, choices, and consequences that the player faces within the game.

Our approach to game mechanics integrates insights from various frameworks, with a focus on challenge and technology as core components.

Challenge

Challenge is a vital element that significantly affects player enjoyment and engagement. It is also essential to recognize that game mechanics directly influence the level and type of challenge presented to players.

Challenges stem from the limitations set by game mechanics, such as rules, objectives, and resources. Therefore, game designers must consider challenge early in the design process and continually throughout development as the mechanics evolve.

Technology

Technology plays a crucial role in shaping game mechanics (e.g., VR interaction mechanics, mobile touch controls). It is not only affected by the development tools but also the platform on which the game operates.

Elements of Game Mechanics

With a clearer understanding of game mechanics, we can now break down individual elements by defining each one, exploring their impact on challenge, examining technology's influence, and considering any socio-cultural factors.

Goals or Objectives

• Goals represent what players aim to achieve and are often the initial focus for game designers. They set the direction and purpose for gameplay.

Fig 1. The goal of soccer is to the take the ball into the goal net.

• Impact on Challenge:
  • Goals help in designing the type and scale of challenges. If the goal is to collect a certain number of items, the challenges may involve overcoming obstacles or puzzles to gather those items. The difficulty of these challenges can be scaled to align with the complexity of the goal.
  • Goals also help to identify the pacing the game and structuring progression. They can be broken down into smaller, objectives that make the journey feel manageable and rewarding. Each completed objective provides a sense of achievement, reinforcing the player's motivation to continue.

Side Quest: Goals vs Objectives

Goals are long-term aims (e.g., "achieve the highest score"), while objectives are specific, short-term tasks (e.g., "collect all bonus items") that help achieve those goals. Therfore, one can think of objectives as side-quests, while goals are the main quest.

• Technology's Influence:
  • Physical Games: In physical games, goal tracking must be manageable and practical given the constraints of physical components. If a game involves numerous goals and objectives, it's essential to streamline the tracking process to avoid complexity and maintain player engagement. This might involve simplifying goal tracking mechanisms, using physical tokens or charts that players can easily update, or integrating goal tracking directly into the gameplay in a way that doesn't overwhelm the players. For example, a board game with many objectives might use a single score track or a simplified set of markers to keep the experience accessible and enjoyable.
  • Digital Games: Digital games benefit from technology's ability to handle complex and large-scale goal tracking effortlessly. The technology can automate the tracking process, allowing for detailed and dynamic management of goals and objectives. Features like real-time progress updates, automated achievement notifications, and comprehensive stats panels make it possible to include a greater number of goals without burdening the player. This allows for more intricate and layered goal structures, as the game can manage and present this information in a clear, interactive, and engaging manner.

Players

• Players are the individuals engaging with the game. Understanding player types and interactions is crucial for designing a game that meets their needs and preferences.
  • Player interaction patterns help to define how the players will interact with the game system and each other. These patterns include:
    • Single Player: The player competes against the game system alone.
    • Multi-Individual: Multiple players compete against the game system while being in the presence of others.
    • Player vs Player: Two players directly compete against each other.
    • Unilateral Competition: Two or more players compete against a single opponent or game system.
    • Multilateral Competition: Three or more players compete directly against each other.
    • Cooperative Play: Players work together to overcome challenges posed by the game system.
    • Team Competition: Two or more groups of players compete against each other.

Fig 2. In soccer each player has a position with specific responsibilities.

• Impact on Challenge

  • The number of players and their roles influence the structure and dynamics of the game. For example, designing challenges for a single player will differ from those for a team-based game. The type of interaction pattern affects how challenges are presented and overcome.
  • Understanding these interaction patterns helps in designing balanced and engaging challenges that suit different types of play and player dynamics.

• Technology's Influence

  • Physical Games: The number of players and their roles must be manageable with physical components. Physical games often use tokens, boards, or cards to track roles and interactions, requiring a setup that is easy to manage and understand.
  • Digital Games: Technology allows for more complex management of players and their roles. Digital games can automate and track player interactions, manage team actions, and provide real-time updates, enabling more intricate and dynamic player roles and interactions.

Rules

• Rules are the instructions that dictate how players can achieve their goals. They specify what actions are allowed and not allowed in the game and outline the effects of certain actions on gameplay.

Fig 3. In soccer only the goalkeeper can pick up the ball with their hands.

• Impact on Challenge

  • Structuring Challenges: Rules establish the boundaries within which challenges are designed. They define how players can interact with the game and each other, and they determine the types of obstacles or puzzles players will face.
  • Balancing Gameplay: Rules help in balancing the game by setting limits and creating fairness. They ensure that the challenges are neither too easy nor too difficult, aligning with the game's goals and the players' abilities.
  • Defining Goal: Rules must clearly define the goal of the game, what actions are permitted or prohibited, and the effects of those actions. This clarity helps players understand how to progress and what strategies to employ.

• Technology's Influence

  • Physical Games: In physical games, rules need to be simple and easily enforceable with the available components. Physical games often use printed instructions or rulebooks that players refer to during gameplay. Complex rules can be cumbersome and may require frequent reference or interpretation.
  • Digital Games: Technology enables more sophisticated rule management through automated systems. Digital games can implement complex rules that are enforced by the game engine, providing real-time feedback and adjustments. This allows for more intricate rule sets that can adapt dynamically to gameplay.

caution

Not every rule is critical to a game. Avoid adding rules that are non-essential or overly complex.

Procedures

• Procedures outline the actions players can take according to the rules, specifying the who, what, where, when, and how of gameplay. This includes both game-specific and system-driven procedures.

Fig 4. In soccer, the kick off team will kick the ball from the center of the field.

• Impact on Challenge

  • Action Execution: Procedures specify how players carry out the actions allowed by the rules, affecting how challenges are approached and solved. For example, if a game requires rolling dice to determine outcomes, the procedure defines how and when to roll.
  • Challenge Design: Effective procedures ensure that challenges are integrated smoothly into gameplay. They help in structuring how players tackle obstacles, execute strategies, and interact with game elements.
  • Playtesting: The interplay between rules and procedures can significantly impact gameplay dynamics. Playtesting helps assess how well procedures align with the rules and whether they contribute to a balanced and engaging challenge.

• Technology's Influence

  • Physical Games: In physical games, procedures are often managed through manual processes such as rolling dice, drawing cards, or moving pieces on a board. These procedures need to be simple and clear to maintain a smooth gameplay experience.
  • Digital Games: Technology allows for more complex and automated procedures. System procedures in digital games can be programmed into loops and algorithms to handle calculations and randomization seamlessly. This can include generating random events, tracking player actions, and managing game states dynamically.

Resources

• Resources are game assets that help players achieve goals, marked by utility (they aid progress) and scarcity (they are limited).
  • Common game resources include, but not limited to:
    • lives
    • units
    • health
    • currency
    • actions
    • power-ups
    • inventory
    • special terrain
    • time

Fig 5. The ball in soccer is a resource.

• Impact on Challenge

  • Utility: Resources provide players with tools or advantages needed to overcome challenges and achieve goals. For example, currency can be used to buy items, while health represents a player's ability to continue playing.
  • Scarcity: The limited availability of resources creates tension and strategic decision-making. Scarcity requires players to manage and allocate their resources wisely to maximize their effectiveness and progress in the game.
  • Gameplay Dynamics: Resources influence how players approach and solve challenges. Managing resources effectively can be a key factor in a player's success or failure, making it an integral part of game strategy.

• Technology's Influence

  • Physical Games: Resources in physical games are often tangible items such as tokens, cards, or dice. Managing these resources requires physical manipulation, and their scarcity is typically handled through game components that must be counted or tracked manually.
  • Digital Games: Technology allows for dynamic management of resources. Digital games can automatically track and update resources, handle complex calculations, and provide real-time feedback on resource availability. This enables more intricate systems for resource management, such as virtual currencies or real-time power-ups.

Conflict

• Conflict refers to the opposing forces or obstacles that players must overcome to achieve their objectives.

Fig 6. Players on the opposing team are the main source of conflict in a soccer game.

• Impact on Challenge

  • Creating Challenges: Conflict generates challenges by creating situations that require players to develop strategies, skills, and adaptability. This is achieved through various forms of conflict:
    • Obstacles: Barriers, whether physical (e.g. a wall blocking the path) or mental (e.g. a puzzle that must be solved for a door to open) , that players must navigate or overcome. These add complexity to achieving objectives and make the gameplay more engaging.
    • Opponents: In multiplayer games, other players serve as opponents, creating direct competition or interaction that drives the gameplay.
    • Dilemmas: Tough decisions players must make, often involving trade-offs or strategic choices. These add depth to the gameplay by forcing players to weigh options and make critical decisions.

• Technology's Influence

  • Physical Games: Conflict is introduced through tangible components such as game boards, cards, or dice. Obstacles and opponents are represented by physical elements that players interact with directly.
  • Digital Games: Technology allows for more dynamic and complex conflict scenarios. Digital games can simulate a wide range of obstacles and opponents, generate random dilemmas, and provide real-time feedback on player decisions. The ability to program intricate conflict mechanics enables more sophisticated and engaging gameplay experiences.

Boundaries

• Definition: Boundaries are the limiting factors that define the scope and constraints within the game world (i.e. "magic circle"), distinguishing it from the real world. They set the scope and constraints for gameplay, which can include physical barriers or conceptual rules.

Fig 7. The soccer field defines the boundary of the game.

• Impact on Challenge

  • Creating Constraints: Boundaries help to define the playable area and the scope of actions within the game. They establish the limits within which players operate, creating a structured environment that shapes the gameplay.
    • Physical Boundaries: These are tangible limits like the edge of a playing field, game board, or arena. They restrict player movement and influence strategy by defining the area in which the game takes place.
    • Conceptual Boundaries: In digital games, boundaries are often more abstract, such as invisible barriers or limitations set by game rules and mechanics. These boundaries define the scope of interactions and help to structure the gameplay experience.
  • Defining Gameplay: Boundaries contribute to gameplay by creating a framework within which challenges and conflicts occur. They help in organizing the game's space and provide context for players' actions and decisions.

• Technology's Influence

  • Physical Games: Boundaries in physical games are defined by the physical components of the game, such as the edges of a board or the limits of a playing area. These boundaries are tangible and directly impact how players interact with the game.
  • Digital Games: Technology allows for the creation of invisible or conceptual boundaries, such as digital borders or restricted areas within the game environment. These boundaries can be dynamically adjusted or modified by the game's programming, enabling more complex and flexible game worlds.

Outcomes

• Outcomes represent the result of the player's actions at the end of gameplay, such as winning, losing, or drawing. While the player's goal is what they aim to achieve during the game, the outcome reflects the actual result based on their performance. Crucially, the outcome must remain uncertain during gameplay, even though the possible end results (e.g., win, lose, or draw) are known. The uncertainty keeps players engaged, as outcomes can vary based on their strategies and decisions.

Fig 8. The team with the most goals is the winner in a game of soccer.

• Impact on Challenge

  • Creating Motivation: The uncertainty of the outcome introduces an element of challenge, as players are driven to overcome obstacles and make strategic choices to influence the final result. This uncertainty keeps players engaged, as they strive to turn the game in their favor despite the unknown outcome.
  • Measuring Success: The outcome reflects how well players have met the game's challenges. A well-designed outcome system ensures that players' success or failure is a direct result of their ability to navigate the challenges presented during gameplay, reinforcing the sense of accomplishment when they perform well.
  • Impact on Balance: The perception of fairness in outcomes is essential to maintaining a satisfying level of challenge. If the game's balance feels off, if outcomes seem unfair or overly biased, then the challenge may feel frustrating or unengaging. A well-balanced game ensures that players feel their skill and effort appropriately influence the outcome, making the challenge feel rewarding rather than insurmountable.

• Technology's Influence

  • Physical Games: In physical games, outcomes are determined by the game's rules and physical components, such as dice rolls or card draws. The technology used in physical games is straightforward but must be managed to ensure outcomes are perceived as fair and random.
  • Digital Games: Technology allows for more complex and dynamic outcome systems. Digital games can use algorithms to ensure outcomes are both random and fair, and they can handle large amounts of data to provide detailed results and statistics. Digital games also offer the ability to adjust outcomes in real-time based on player performance and other factors.

Socio-Cultural Considerations

Game mechanics are deeply influenced by the social and cultural context in which a game is played. These considerations can influence how different players experience mechanics such as rules, player interaction, and conflict resolution. However, it's important to recognize that not all games are intended to appeal to every type of player.

• Who you play with: Playing with friends, strangers, or AI can shift how mechanics like cooperation, competition, and communication are approached, impacting the overall experience.

• Where you play: The distinction between in-person and online play can affect core game mechanics such as communication systems, turn-taking, and player interaction. Physical settings might emphasize tactile or spatial elements, while online environments may focus on real-time or asynchronous play.

• When you play: The historical or cultural context in which a game is set or played can shape design choices, especially for games with specific cultural or thematic elements. Games can reflect the social norms or conflicts of the time and place in which they are played, adding layers of meaning to their mechanics.

While socio-cultural factors are important, they should be weighed against the specific audience for whom the game is being designed. Not every game needs to accommodate every player type, and trying to cater to a broad range of cultural contexts may dilute the core experience intended for the target audience. In some cases, socio-cultural context may become a primary concern from the outset, particularly in multiplayer or culturally themed games, where interaction between diverse players or cultural representation is key. However, for many games, these considerations are often addressed later in development, when refining game mechanics to ensure they resonate with the target audience.

Target Audience

The impact of socio-cultural considerations ultimately depends on the target market for the game. Developing a clear understanding of who your game is for, through player personas, can help guide decisions about which cultural factors to incorporate and which to avoid.

If you are creating a niche game, such as a rock-and-roll trivia game, it's expected that the game will appeal to a specific audience who enjoys that genre of music. Trying to accommodate players unfamiliar with or uninterested in rock-and-roll would dilute the experience.

Similarly, a single-player action game designed for fast-paced individual decision-making may not appeal to players who prefer collaborative, communal gameplay.

In these cases, knowing your audience is crucial. The socio-cultural context matters, but only in the sense that it aligns with the target player's preferences and expectations.

Applied to Game Elements

After understanding the broad influence of socio-cultural factors on game mechanics, it's important to consider how these factors apply to individual game elements:

• Rules: Rules in general should be simple, clear, and designed in a way that is understandable and be universally accessible.

• Players: Games may emphasize competitive, aggressive interactions or focus on negotiation and cooperation. Understanding the target audience allows game designers to design interaction mechanics that align with their social or cultural preferences.

• Procedures: Basic game procedures, such as rolling dice, moving pieces, drawing cards, or managing resources, are generally understood across cultures due to their simplicity and widespread use. To enhance inclusivity, ensure that these procedures are accessible to players with varying abilities. For instance, a game mechanic requiring spoken responses could be adapted to allow written responses, making it more accessible without altering the core design.

• Resources: Resources should be designed to avoid misinterpretation and should be familiar and universally recognizable, such as health, time, or currency. Games aimed at younger audiences may benefit from simple, intuitive resource systems, while more complex games for experienced players might involve intricate resource management and trade-offs.

• Conflict: The nature and resolution of conflict in a game should be tailored to the target audience. While universal dilemmas and obstacles can enhance relatability, sensitivity to cultural perceptions of conflict is crucial. Mechanics that reward violence might be received differently in cultures that value nonviolent solutions, whereas negotiation-based mechanics may resonate better with collaborative values. Tailoring conflict resolution to fit the target market ensures the game aligns with its intended players.

• Boundaries: Ensure that these boundaries are clearly defined and functionally intuitive to prevent confusion during gameplay. For example, if a game has specific areas where players can or cannot move, these should be logically integrated into the mechanics so that players can easily understand and adhere to them. Boundaries should be designed to accommodate diverse player needs, including those with varying cognitive abilities. Simplifying rules and providing clear instructions can help ensure all players can engage effectively.

• Outcomes: Winning and losing conditions should feel fair and attainable to the target audience. If a game is too complex or obscure for its intended players, it risks alienating them.

While socio-cultural considerations can shape how mechanics are perceived and experienced, they should always be balanced with the needs and preferences of your target audience. Using tools like player personas helps ensure that your game mechanics align with the expectations of the players you aim to engage.

Agile Game Mechanics

The development of game mechanics is not a linear process but rather an iterative journey that benefits significantly from an agile approach. This methodology involves continuously testing and refining mechanics through playtesting and feedback loops. By adopting an agile mindset, game designers can iteratively improve mechanics, ensuring they not only function effectively but also enhance player engagement and gameplay dynamics.

Playtesting is essential to this approach, providing valuable insights into how mechanics work in practice and how they impact player experience. Iterative refinement allows designers to adjust and enhance mechanics based on real player interactions, making sure that the game evolves in response to feedback and emerging insights.

Moreover, while game mechanics form the foundation of a functional game, it is crucial to integrate player engagement and gameplay dynamics considerations from the outset. The MED framework emphasizes a holistic approach by layering game features through mechanics, engagement, and dynamics. This ensures that the design process considers all aspects of gameplay in an interconnected manner, leading to a more cohesive and engaging game experience.

By embracing an agile approach, designers can achieve a balanced and responsive game design that adapts to player needs and preferences, ensuring that both the foundational mechanics and overall game dynamics are continuously refined and optimized.

Summary

Game mechanics are designed to answer the fundamental question of "how the game works". They encompass the rules, systems, and interactions that structure gameplay and shape the overall player experience. The effectiveness of these mechanics is grounded in their ability to provide a clear direction and purpose, ensuring engaging interactions and maintaining fairness and inclusivity.

Goals form the foundation of gameplay by defining objectives and driving challenge design and progression. Players' interactions, including their type and number, significantly influence game dynamics and challenge management. Rules and procedures, which dictate how players achieve goals and interact with the game, must be clear, adaptable, and fair to enhance the player experience. Resources are essential for managing challenges and should be straightforward and culturally respectful. Conflict introduces engaging obstacles, while boundaries establish the game's limits, requiring clarity and respect for player experience. Technology supports these elements by enhancing gameplay dynamics and accessibility.

An agile approach to game design is crucial for refining these mechanics. By continuously testing and iterating through playtesting and feedback, designers can ensure that mechanics not only function effectively but also enhance player engagement and gameplay dynamics. This iterative process helps balance foundational mechanics with player needs, ensuring a responsive and engaging game experience. Integrating the MED framework, which layers mechanics, engagement, and dynamics from the outset, allows for a holistic approach to game design, resulting in a well-rounded and inclusive game that adapts to player feedback and preferences.