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Lightning Talk: 3 Common Game Design Mistakes You’re Making

GAME DESIGNERS --Lightning Talk 3 Common Game Design Mistakes You’re Making

GAME DESIGNERS --Lightning Talk 3 Common Game Design Mistakes You’re Making

<figure class&equals;"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class&equals;"wp-block-embed&lowbar;&lowbar;wrapper">&NewLine;<amp-youtube layout&equals;"responsive" width&equals;"1200" height&equals;"675" data-videoid&equals;"THn4f6zAuJ4" title&equals;"Lightning Talk&colon; 3 Game Design Mistakes You&&num;039&semi;re Making"><a placeholder href&equals;"https&colon;&sol;&sol;www&period;youtube&period;com&sol;watch&quest;v&equals;THn4f6zAuJ4"><img src&equals;"https&colon;&sol;&sol;i&period;ytimg&period;com&sol;vi&sol;THn4f6zAuJ4&sol;hqdefault&period;jpg" layout&equals;"fill" object-fit&equals;"cover" alt&equals;"Lightning Talk&colon; 3 Game Design Mistakes You&&num;039&semi;re Making"><&sol;a><&sol;amp-youtube>&NewLine;<&sol;div><figcaption class&equals;"wp-element-caption">Lightning Talk&colon; 3 Game Design Mistakes You&&num;8217&semi;re Making via <a href&equals;"https&colon;&sol;&sol;www&period;youtube&period;com&sol;watch&quest;v&equals;THn4f6zAuJ4">Youtube<&sol;a><&sol;figcaption><&sol;figure><p>Todd Kerpelman shares some of the <a href&equals;"https&colon;&sol;&sol;game-designers&period;net&sol;avoiding-common-game-design-pitfalls-expert-tips-for-success">common game design mistakes<&sol;a> he made from his years as a game designer&period; Because chances are&comma; you&&num;8217&semi;re making them&comma; too&period; Also&comma; there&&num;8217&semi;s mayonnaise involved&period;<&sol;p><h2 class&equals;"wp-block-heading" id&equals;"learning-from-failure-3-common-mistakes-in-game-design">Learning from Failure&colon; 3 Common Game Design Mistakes<&sol;h2><p>Game design is hard&period; Even <a href&equals;"https&colon;&sol;&sol;playxlpro&period;com&sol;e-learning-game-design-7-mistakes-to-avoid&sol;" target&equals;"&lowbar;blank" rel&equals;"noreferrer noopener">experienced designers make mistakes<&sol;a>&period; But failures teach valuable lessons if you know where to look&period; After leading design at Pogo Games&comma; I noticed <strong>3 common mistakes<&sol;strong> hampering many games&colon;<&sol;p><figure class&equals;"wp-block-image size-large"><img src&equals;"https&colon;&sol;&sol;game-designers&period;net&sol;wp-content&sol;uploads&sol;2020&sol;11&sol;image-1024x475&period;jpg" alt&equals;"" class&equals;"wp-image-16340"&sol;><figcaption class&equals;"wp-element-caption">Learning from Failure&colon; 3 Common Game Design Mistakes &&num;8212&semi; Mistake &num;1&colon; Kitchen Sinking the Design &&num;8212&semi; The simple way to have a good idea is to have a lot of ideas&period;<&sol;figcaption><&sol;figure><h2 class&equals;"wp-block-heading" id&equals;"mistake-1-kitchen-sinking-the-design">Mistake &num;1&colon; Kitchen Sinking the Design<&sol;h2><p>&&num;8220&semi;Kitchen sinking&&num;8221&semi; means <strong>overloading your game with features<&sol;strong> but lacking a strong core mechanic&period; It happens when we lack confidence in the basic gameplay loop&period;<&sol;p><p>Symptoms include&colon;<&sol;p><ul class&equals;"wp-block-list"><li>Excess powerups&comma; characters&comma; modes etc&period;<&sol;li>&NewLine;&NewLine;<li>Overreliance on &&num;8220&semi;advanced&&num;8221&semi; mechanics like risk-reward<&sol;li><&sol;ul><p>This clutter confuses players instead of exciting them&period;<&sol;p><h4 class&equals;"wp-block-heading" id&equals;"why-it-happens">Why It Happens<&sol;h4><p>Designers kitchen sink games because&colon;<&sol;p><ul class&equals;"wp-block-list"><li>The core mechanic feels boring<&sol;li>&NewLine;&NewLine;<li>They prefer advanced theories over fun<&sol;li>&NewLine;&NewLine;<li>It&&num;8217&semi;s easier to add stuff than fix the core<&sol;li><&sol;ul><p>The root issue is that the <strong>base gameplay just isn&&num;8217&semi;t fun enough<&sol;strong>&period; No amount of chrome can polish a dull game&period;<&sol;p><h4 class&equals;"wp-block-heading" id&equals;"solutions">Solutions<&sol;h4><p>&colon;bulb&colon; <strong>Simplify first&comma; decorate later&period;<&sol;strong> Remove all extras and playtest the core mechanic&period; Make that fun first before adding to it&period;<&sol;p><p>&colon;bulb&colon; <strong>Prioritize game-changers over upgrades&period;<&sol;strong> A good powerup fundamentally changes the gameplay&comma; not just improve stats&period;<&sol;p><p>&colon;bulb&colon; <strong>If an &&num;8220&semi;extra&&num;8221&semi; is critical&comma; make it the core&period;<&sol;strong> Bonus levels often show the most fun part of the game&period; Lean into that strength&period;<&sol;p><p>&&num;8220&semi;&&num;8221&semi;The simplest way to have a good idea is to have a lot of ideas&period;&&num;8221&semi; &&num;8211&semi; Linus Pauling&&num;8221&semi;&&num;8221&semi;<&sol;p><p>Kitchen sinking is common but fixable&period; Build on a strong base before decoration&period;<&sol;p><figure class&equals;"wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src&equals;"https&colon;&sol;&sol;game-designers&period;net&sol;wp-content&sol;uploads&sol;2020&sol;11&sol;image-2-1024x517&period;jpg" alt&equals;"" class&equals;"wp-image-16342" style&equals;"width&colon;977px&semi;height&colon;auto"&sol;><figcaption class&equals;"wp-element-caption">Learning from Failure&colon; 3 Common Game Design Mistakes &&num;8212&semi; Mistake &num;2&colon; Clinging to Clever Ideas Too Long<&sol;figcaption><&sol;figure><hr class&equals;"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"&sol;><h2 class&equals;"wp-block-heading" id&equals;"mistake-2-clinging-to-clever-ideas-too-long">Mistake &num;2&colon; Clinging to Clever Ideas Too Long<&sol;h2><p>It&&num;8217&semi;s tempting to fall in love with an idea&comma; even when it hurts the game&period; I call this <strong>&&num;8220&semi;holding the mayo&&num;8221&semi;<&sol;strong>&period;<&sol;p><p>For example&comma; maybe I designed a really innovative <strong>timed level mechanic<&sol;strong>&period; It&&num;8217&semi;s so clever&excl; But it ruins the scoring&comma; powerups&comma; and ending&period; My instinct says stick with the time limit because it&&num;8217&semi;s such a novel concept&period;<&sol;p><p>In reality&comma; one clever solution shouldn&&num;8217&semi;t handcuff the whole system&period; As they say&comma; sometimes you must <strong>&&num;8220&semi;kill your darlings&period;&&num;8221&semi;<&sol;strong> Prioritize the whole over pet ideas&period;<&sol;p><h4 class&equals;"wp-block-heading" id&equals;"why-it-happens">Why It Happens<&sol;h4><p>Designers cling to ideas because&colon;<&sol;p><ul class&equals;"wp-block-list"><li>We&&num;8217&semi;re proud of clever solutions<&sol;li>&NewLine;&NewLine;<li>Parting with hard work is difficult<&sol;li>&NewLine;&NewLine;<li>It <em>seems<&sol;em> integral to the vision<&sol;li><&sol;ul><p>But &&num;8220&semi;perfect&&num;8221&semi; features can limit overall fun&period; Good designers know when to pivot&period;<&sol;p><h4 class&equals;"wp-block-heading" id&equals;"solutions">Solutions<&sol;h4><p>💡 <strong>Check your priorities&period;<&sol;strong> What matters most &&num;8211&semi; innovation or enjoyment&quest; Cool ideas must serve players first&period;<&sol;p><p>💡 <strong>Watch for handcuffs&period;<&sol;strong> If one concept restricts overall design&comma; it may not be worth it&period; See the big picture&period;<&sol;p><p>💡 <strong>Remember cuts can be temporary&period;<&sol;strong> Removing ideas completely is hard&period; You can always bring them back later&period;<&sol;p><p>&&num;8220&semi;&&num;8221&semi;Kill your darlings&comma; kill your darlings&comma; even when it breaks your egocentric little scribbler’s heart&comma; kill your darlings&period;&&num;8221&semi; &&num;8211&semi; Stephen King&&num;8221&semi;&&num;8221&semi;<&sol;p><p>Clever solutions deserve praise but gameplay rules all&period; Be ready to move on from even your best ideas&period;<&sol;p><hr class&equals;"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"&sol;><figure class&equals;"wp-block-image size-large"><img src&equals;"https&colon;&sol;&sol;game-designers&period;net&sol;wp-content&sol;uploads&sol;2020&sol;11&sol;image-3-1024x528&period;jpg" alt&equals;"Learning from Failure&colon; 3 Common Game Design Mistakes -- Mistake &num;3&colon; Dismissing &quot&semi;Bad&quot&semi; Suggestions" class&equals;"wp-image-16343"&sol;><figcaption class&equals;"wp-element-caption">Learning from Failure&colon; 3 Common Game Design Mistakes &&num;8212&semi; Mistake &num;3&colon; Dismissing &&num;8220&semi;Bad&&num;8221&semi; Suggestions<&sol;figcaption><&sol;figure><h2 class&equals;"wp-block-heading" id&equals;"mistake-3-dismissing-bad-suggestions">Mistake &num;3&colon; Dismissing &&num;8220&semi;Bad&&num;8221&semi; Suggestions<&sol;h2><p>Playtesters often share ideas that seem clearly <strong>wrong for your game<&sol;strong>&period; But angrily rebutting them misses the point&period;<&sol;p><p>Imagine your climbing system is lackluster&period; A user suggests adding grappling hooks&period; Your first thought is probably &&num;8220&semi;that&&num;8217&semi;s stupid because&&num;8230&semi;&&num;8221&semi; But their goal isn&&num;8217&semi;t a perfect solution &&num;8211&semi; it&&num;8217&semi;s pointing out a real issue&period; Dismissing them just silences helpful feedback about climbing needing work&period;<&sol;p><h4 class&equals;"wp-block-heading" id&equals;"why-it-happens">Why it Happens<&sol;h4><p>Designers dismiss suggestions because&colon;<&sol;p><div class&equals;"wp-block-uagb-icon-list uagb-block-5bbf0900"><div class&equals;"uagb-icon-list&lowbar;&lowbar;wrap"><div class&equals;"wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child uagb-block-697ce7dc"><span class&equals;"uagb-icon-list&lowbar;&lowbar;source-wrap"><svg xmlns&equals;"https&colon;&sol;&sol;www&period;w3&period;org&sol;2000&sol;svg" viewBox&equals;"0 0 512 512"><path d&equals;"M256 0C114&period;6 0 0 114&period;6 0 256c0 141&period;4 114&period;6 256 256 256s256-114&period;6 256-256C512 114&period;6 397&period;4 0 256 0zM406&period;6 278&period;6l-103&period;1 103&period;1c-12&period;5 12&period;5-32&period;75 12&period;5-45&period;25 0s-12&period;5-32&period;75 0-45&period;25L306&period;8 288H128C110&period;3 288 96 273&period;7 96 256s14&period;31-32 32-32h178&period;8l-49&period;38-49&period;38c-12&period;5-12&period;5-12&period;5-32&period;75 0-45&period;25s32&period;75-12&period;5 45&period;25 0l103&period;1 103&period;1C414&period;6 241&period;3 416 251&period;1 416 256C416 260&period;9 414&period;6 270&period;7 406&period;6 278&period;6z"><&sol;path><&sol;svg><&sol;span><span class&equals;"uagb-icon-list&lowbar;&lowbar;label">We know the systems better than testers<&sol;span><&sol;div>&NewLine;&NewLine;<div class&equals;"wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child uagb-block-cd2795d8"><span class&equals;"uagb-icon-list&lowbar;&lowbar;source-wrap"><svg xmlns&equals;"https&colon;&sol;&sol;www&period;w3&period;org&sol;2000&sol;svg" viewBox&equals;"0 0 512 512"><path d&equals;"M256 0C114&period;6 0 0 114&period;6 0 256c0 141&period;4 114&period;6 256 256 256s256-114&period;6 256-256C512 114&period;6 397&period;4 0 256 0zM406&period;6 278&period;6l-103&period;1 103&period;1c-12&period;5 12&period;5-32&period;75 12&period;5-45&period;25 0s-12&period;5-32&period;75 0-45&period;25L306&period;8 288H128C110&period;3 288 96 273&period;7 96 256s14&period;31-32 32-32h178&period;8l-49&period;38-49&period;38c-12&period;5-12&period;5-12&period;5-32&period;75 0-45&period;25s32&period;75-12&period;5 45&period;25 0l103&period;1 103&period;1C414&period;6 241&period;3 416 251&period;1 416 256C416 260&period;9 414&period;6 270&period;7 406&period;6 278&period;6z"><&sol;path><&sol;svg><&sol;span><span class&equals;"uagb-icon-list&lowbar;&lowbar;label">We feel defensive about our work<&sol;span><&sol;div>&NewLine;&NewLine;<div class&equals;"wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child uagb-block-0e8b6e7f"><span class&equals;"uagb-icon-list&lowbar;&lowbar;source-wrap"><svg xmlns&equals;"https&colon;&sol;&sol;www&period;w3&period;org&sol;2000&sol;svg" viewBox&equals;"0 0 512 512"><path d&equals;"M256 0C114&period;6 0 0 114&period;6 0 256c0 141&period;4 114&period;6 256 256 256s256-114&period;6 256-256C512 114&period;6 397&period;4 0 256 0zM406&period;6 278&period;6l-103&period;1 103&period;1c-12&period;5 12&period;5-32&period;75 12&period;5-45&period;25 0s-12&period;5-32&period;75 0-45&period;25L306&period;8 288H128C110&period;3 288 96 273&period;7 96 256s14&period;31-32 32-32h178&period;8l-49&period;38-49&period;38c-12&period;5-12&period;5-12&period;5-32&period;75 0-45&period;25s32&period;75-12&period;5 45&period;25 0l103&period;1 103&period;1C414&period;6 241&period;3 416 251&period;1 416 256C416 260&period;9 414&period;6 270&period;7 406&period;6 278&period;6z"><&sol;path><&sol;svg><&sol;span><span class&equals;"uagb-icon-list&lowbar;&lowbar;label">Shooting ideas down is easier than listening<&sol;span><&sol;div><&sol;div><&sol;div><p>But this wastes opportunities to improve&period;<&sol;p><h4 class&equals;"wp-block-heading" id&equals;"solutions">Solutions<&sol;h4><p>💡 <strong>Hear the problem&comma; not just the solution&period;<&sol;strong> Suggestions identify weak areas&comma; even if the exact fix is bad&period;<&sol;p><p>💡 <strong>Lead users to solutions&period;<&sol;strong> Don&&num;8217&semi;t just say &&num;8220&semi;no way&excl;&&num;8221&semi; Ask follow ups to uncover better alternatives&period;<&sol;p><p>💡 <strong>Admit imperfection&period;<&sol;strong> Users spot holes because games have holes&period; Stay humble and keep improving&period;<&sol;p><p>&&num;8220&semi;&&num;8221&semi;Criticism may not be agreeable&comma; but it is necessary&period; It fulfils the same function as pain in the human body&period; It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things&period;&&num;8221&semi; &&num;8211&semi; Winston Churchill&&num;8221&semi;&&num;8221&semi;<&sol;p><p>Users suggest bad solutions because they want to help&period; Listen past the ideas to the real issues&period;<&sol;p><hr class&equals;"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"&sol;><h2 class&equals;"wp-block-heading" id&equals;"key-takeaways">Key Takeaways<&sol;h2><div class&equals;"wp-block-uagb-icon-list uagb-block-90776fb8"><div class&equals;"uagb-icon-list&lowbar;&lowbar;wrap"><div class&equals;"wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child uagb-block-837c127d"><span class&equals;"uagb-icon-list&lowbar;&lowbar;source-wrap"><svg xmlns&equals;"https&colon;&sol;&sol;www&period;w3&period;org&sol;2000&sol;svg" viewBox&equals;"0 0 512 512"><path d&equals;"M256 0C114&period;6 0 0 114&period;6 0 256c0 141&period;4 114&period;6 256 256 256s256-114&period;6 256-256C512 114&period;6 397&period;4 0 256 0zM406&period;6 278&period;6l-103&period;1 103&period;1c-12&period;5 12&period;5-32&period;75 12&period;5-45&period;25 0s-12&period;5-32&period;75 0-45&period;25L306&period;8 288H128C110&period;3 288 96 273&period;7 96 256s14&period;31-32 32-32h178&period;8l-49&period;38-49&period;38c-12&period;5-12&period;5-12&period;5-32&period;75 0-45&period;25s32&period;75-12&period;5 45&period;25 0l103&period;1 103&period;1C414&period;6 241&period;3 416 251&period;1 416 256C416 260&period;9 414&period;6 270&period;7 406&period;6 278&period;6z"><&sol;path><&sol;svg><&sol;span><span class&equals;"uagb-icon-list&lowbar;&lowbar;label"><strong>Kitchen sinking<&sol;strong> overcomplicates without fixing core flaws<&sol;span><&sol;div>&NewLine;&NewLine;<div class&equals;"wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child uagb-block-96a0bfe0"><span class&equals;"uagb-icon-list&lowbar;&lowbar;source-wrap"><svg xmlns&equals;"https&colon;&sol;&sol;www&period;w3&period;org&sol;2000&sol;svg" viewBox&equals;"0 0 512 512"><path d&equals;"M256 0C114&period;6 0 0 114&period;6 0 256c0 141&period;4 114&period;6 256 256 256s256-114&period;6 256-256C512 114&period;6 397&period;4 0 256 0zM406&period;6 278&period;6l-103&period;1 103&period;1c-12&period;5 12&period;5-32&period;75 12&period;5-45&period;25 0s-12&period;5-32&period;75 0-45&period;25L306&period;8 288H128C110&period;3 288 96 273&period;7 96 256s14&period;31-32 32-32h178&period;8l-49&period;38-49&period;38c-12&period;5-12&period;5-12&period;5-32&period;75 0-45&period;25s32&period;75-12&period;5 45&period;25 0l103&period;1 103&period;1C414&period;6 241&period;3 416 251&period;1 416 256C416 260&period;9 414&period;6 270&period;7 406&period;6 278&period;6z"><&sol;path><&sol;svg><&sol;span><span class&equals;"uagb-icon-list&lowbar;&lowbar;label"><strong>Holding the mayo<&sol;strong> prioritizes novelty over real enjoyment<&sol;span><&sol;div>&NewLine;&NewLine;<div class&equals;"wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child uagb-block-6b9cc66f"><span class&equals;"uagb-icon-list&lowbar;&lowbar;source-wrap"><svg xmlns&equals;"https&colon;&sol;&sol;www&period;w3&period;org&sol;2000&sol;svg" viewBox&equals;"0 0 512 512"><path d&equals;"M256 0C114&period;6 0 0 114&period;6 0 256c0 141&period;4 114&period;6 256 256 256s256-114&period;6 256-256C512 114&period;6 397&period;4 0 256 0zM406&period;6 278&period;6l-103&period;1 103&period;1c-12&period;5 12&period;5-32&period;75 12&period;5-45&period;25 0s-12&period;5-32&period;75 0-45&period;25L306&period;8 288H128C110&period;3 288 96 273&period;7 96 256s14&period;31-32 32-32h178&period;8l-49&period;38-49&period;38c-12&period;5-12&period;5-12&period;5-32&period;75 0-45&period;25s32&period;75-12&period;5 45&period;25 0l103&period;1 103&period;1C414&period;6 241&period;3 416 251&period;1 416 256C416 260&period;9 414&period;6 270&period;7 406&period;6 278&period;6z"><&sol;path><&sol;svg><&sol;span><span class&equals;"uagb-icon-list&lowbar;&lowbar;label"><strong>Dismissing bad suggestions<&sol;strong> ignores opportunities to improve<&sol;span><&sol;div><&sol;div><&sol;div><p>Learn to spot these issues in your own design process&period; Stay focused on what matters most &&num;8211&semi; making games people love to play&period;<&sol;p><p>Focus on nailing simple mechanics first&period; Be willing to kill clever solutions if they hurt the game&period; And pay attention when users share ideas &&num;8211&semi; they often reflect bigger weaknesses waiting for attention&period;<&sol;p><hr class&equals;"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"&sol;><p><&sol;p><h2 class&equals;"wp-block-heading" id&equals;"conclusion">Conclusion Common Game Design Mistakes<&sol;h2><p>Creating great games is a process of constant refinement&period; My biggest lessons came from projects that failed&period; Through disappointment and mistakes&comma; I learned to recognize problematic patterns derailing many designs&period;<&sol;p><p>None of these issues make you a bad designer &&num;8211&semi; they are common traps teams of veterans still slip into&period; But now that you know what to watch for&comma; hopefully you can catch problems sooner for yourself or others&period; Game creation often feels like an intangible art&period; Keeping core principles like those above in mind makes the magic feel more understandable and achievable&period;<&sol;p><p>Remember&comma; advice usually comes from experience&comma; and experience often comes from bad decisions&period; Making games is much harder than playing them &&num;8211&semi; but the journey gets a little smoother when we help each other&period;<&sol;p><p><br><br><&sol;p>

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