System Dynamics

Written by: Akram Taghavi-Burris | © Copyright 2024

A system is a set of interacting or interdependent elements that form an integrated whole, where each part plays a role in achieving a common goal. In game design, systems consist of rules, mechanics, and player interactions that create the overall gameplay experience.

Consider this question: What qualifies as a system?

• A toolbox is a collection of tools, but they do not interact, so it's not a system.
• A kitchen, while full of tools and appliances, isn't a system on its own, but if we view it as part of the process of cooking a meal, it becomes a system because the ingredients, tools, and cook all interact to achieve a goal.
• A soccer game is a system because it involves multiple interacting elements: players, the ball, the rules, and the field, all working together to achieve the objectives of the game.

Elements of a Game System

Systems in games consist of several core elements:

• Objects: The building blocks of the system, such as game pieces, characters, or environmental features.
• Properties: Attributes that define the physical or conceptual aspects of the objects (e.g., a character's health or the size of a game piece).
• Behaviors: The possible actions or reactions objects can have within the system (e.g., movement, attack, or defend).
• Relationships: How these objects interact with each other (e.g., enemies attack players, or resources are gathered by characters).

A simulation, often used in games, represents the behavior or characteristics of one system through another. The integrity of a game's system depends on how well the elements interact to create meaningful, cohesive gameplay.

Interactions and Feedback Loops

In games, systems are designed for player interaction. A successful interactive system relies on three critical components:

1. Information Structure: This provides data about game objects and their relationships. Some games mix open and hidden information to create tension and strategy (e.g., hidden cards in Poker or fog of war in strategy games). How the game reveals information impacts player decisions, blending knowledge with strategy.

2. Controls: Controls allow players to influence the game. However, too many controls can lead to overload. Games that offer more than five controls at once may confuse players, potentially leading to "button smashing" as they forget specific functions.

3. Feedback: Feedback is the system's response to the player's actions, guiding their understanding of the game. Good feedback encourages learning and adaptation. Audio cues, visual effects, and scoring systems are common feedback mechanisms that inform players about the success of their actions.

Feedback Loops

A feedback loop is a fundamental structure within a system. It occurs when the system's output is fed back into itself, influencing future outputs. Feedback loops can be positive (reinforcing behaviors) or negative (balancing the system). In games, feedback loops help players learn and adapt, providing a sense of progression or adjustment.

For example, in a game mechanic feedback loop:

• The player inputs an action (e.g., pressing a button to jump).
• The system records and processes this input according to the game's rules.
• The player receives feedback (e.g., the character jumps, and a sound effect plays).
• The feedback informs the player's future actions (e.g., the player now knows how to jump to avoid obstacles).

Fig 2. Game Mechanic Feedback Loop by Daniel Cook

Games often contain multiple feedback loops, all interacting to create complex gameplay. One loop might govern player movement, while another governs resource collection or combat mechanics.

Feedback Loops and Player Engagement

Feedback loops play an important role in driving player engagement and enjoyment. Researcher Carlo Fabricatore notes in his paper, Gameplay and Game Mechanics Design: A Key to Quality in Videogames, that the main sources of fun in games stem from these feedback loops. Well-designed feedback systems are essential for enhancing player experience, as they guide players in understanding the mechanics and adapting their strategies.

A thoughtfully crafted feedback loop should ensure enjoyable gameplay and help players feel a sense of accomplishment. However, achieving this is not always straightforward. The interplay between game mechanics and feedback can be complex, requiring careful consideration and iteration during the design process to truly resonate with players.

Loops and Arcs

A gameplay loop refers to the cycle of player actions, challenges, and rewards. Well-designed gameplay loops continually engage the player by offering challenges, presenting choices, and delivering consequences. The key is to make these loops rewarding and varied enough to maintain the player's interest while pushing them toward their goals.

Vid 1. What are loops in game design?

Interaction loops, a concept often discussed by game designer Daniel Cook, are smaller, fractal loops within the gameplay experience. According to Cook, these loops occur every time a player interacts with the game:

1. The player starts with a mental model of the game.
2. They take an action based on this model.
3. The game system reacts, providing feedback.
4. The player updates their mental model based on the feedback and takes a new action.

Fig 3. Interaction Loop by Daniel Cook

These loops are exercised many times within a single session or over multiple plays, continuously shaping the player's understanding and mastery of the game.

In contrast to loops, arcs offer a one-time, non-repeating interaction. Cook describes arcs as interactions that deliver a "payload" of information, such as reading a book or watching a movie. While arcs involve similar steps, starting with a mental model, taking action, receiving feedback, they are not built for repeated use. Once the information is consumed, the interaction is complete, and there is little reason to return to it. Arcs are efficient at conveying pre-processed information or teaching a specific lesson but lack the adaptability and replayability of loops.

Fig 4. Gameplay Arc by Daniel Cook

In game systems, arcs can be used to communicate narrative beats or key moments, while loops drive continuous engagement through gameplay mechanics. Both play essential roles in shaping how players interact with and understand the game system.

System Dynamics Considerations

Returning the to idea that games are Creative Interactive Challenges we should consider how these elements influence system dynamics and what considerations should designers make in designing feedback loops and interactions that result in engaging and meaningful experiences for players.

Creative Socio-Cultural Factors

Game systems are heavily influenced by the socio-cultural contexts in which they are both designed and played. These factors shape not only the game's themes and narratives but also how players interact with the systems themselves. In a game like Civilization, for example, the in-game economy mirrors real-world systems, but players from different socio-political backgrounds, such as those raised in capitalist versus communist societies, may approach strategies, resources, and decisions differently. These differences impact how players engage with the game's feedback systems, such as how they prioritize certain resources or make political alliances, altering their overall experience.

Furthermore, when diverse groups of players interact within the same system, their interpretations of the game's challenges and feedback loops can vary significantly. In multiplayer or competitive games, socio-cultural backgrounds can influence decision-making, cooperation, and conflict, shaping emergent gameplay. For example, a group with varied perspectives might generate unpredictable outcomes or new dynamics within the system, creating feedback loops that differ from more homogeneous groups. This diversity in player input can influence the flow of the game, making the system more adaptable and dynamic.

Socio-cultural factors also affect how players respond to challenges. For instance, a game centered on historical or political themes, such as Assassin's Creed, might resonate differently depending on a player's cultural background and knowledge. The narratives and mechanics tied to historical events may provide additional layers of meaning or even discomfort for certain players, influencing how they interpret feedback from the system and adapt their strategies. These dynamics are critical in shaping the overall gameplay experience, as they add a layer of personal interpretation to the system's feedback loops.

Interactivity and Technology

The interactivity within game systems is fundamentally shaped by the technology that mediates player input, affecting how players engage with and influence the system. Whether in a physical game where players manipulate tangible objects or in a digital game where button presses, gestures, or motion-tracking enable interaction, the medium determines the complexity of input and how players interact with the system's objects and behaviors.

In terms of system dynamics, technology governs the immediacy of feedback and the level of agency players feel. For example, a digital game can provide instantaneous feedback through visuals, sound, or haptic responses, allowing for real-time adjustments in player strategy. This creates tighter feedback loops, where actions and their consequences are immediately visible, leading to a more responsive and dynamic system. On the other hand, physical games might involve more deliberate, slower-paced feedback, which could require players to interpret and adapt based on more abstract or delayed outcomes.

The level of interactivity also shapes the relationships between system elements. In highly interactive environments, such as VR, where players physically interact with objects, the system must account for player movement, gestures, and spatial awareness. This creates a more immersive feedback loop, where the system dynamically responds to player actions, reinforcing the sense of presence and control.

Ultimately, interactivity through technology influences not only how players input commands but also how the system reacts, creating an ongoing loop of input, feedback, and adaptation. Systems with higher levels of interactivity often offer richer, more complex dynamics, as players' choices and the resulting feedback continually evolve based on both the technology and the player's engagement.

Challenge Dynamics

Challenges in games are a direct result of the system's structure, shaping player interaction, feedback loops, and progression. In game systems, challenges can be framed as obstacles or tasks that test players' skills, strategy, or decision-making. The complexity of a game's challenge often reflects the behavior of its systems, from real-time reactions requiring dexterity in action games to long-term strategic planning in turn-based or resource management games.

System dynamics play a crucial role in how challenges are presented and escalated. For instance, games like Dark Souls emphasize difficulty and mastery, where the system dynamically responds to player performance by increasing challenge intensity as the player improves. In this context, feedback loops are integral, as players receive immediate and tangible consequences from their actions, prompting them to adapt strategies in response to the game's challenge flow.

In contrast, some games focus on accessibility and narrative, providing less mechanically demanding challenges that encourage exploration of the story rather than mechanical mastery. Regardless of the approach, challenges are a central component of the game system, offering both obstacles and opportunities for players to interact meaningfully with the game's mechanics.

Effective challenge design ensures that system dynamics remain engaging by maintaining a delicate balance between difficulty, feedback, and player progression, keeping players invested and motivated.

Summary

Understanding systems in game design is essential for crafting experiences that are engaging, challenging, and meaningful. Systems are composed of interconnected elements that shape player interaction, with feedback loops driving player decisions and progression. Returning to the idea the games are Creative Interactive Challenges, and ensuring that these elements are integrated into the system dynamics creates the foundation for dynamic and emergent gameplay that keeps players engaged.