Game Design Theory
The MDA Framework
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ MDA FRAMEWORK │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ MECHANICS (Rules): │
│ → Player actions, constraints, state changes │
│ → Example: Jump has height limit, costs stamina │
│ ↓ │
│ DYNAMICS (Behavior): │
│ → Emergent gameplay from mechanic interactions │
│ → Example: Wall-jump combos, speedrun routes │
│ ↓ │
│ AESTHETICS (Experience): │
│ → Emotional responses: Fun, tension, achievement │
│ → Example: Flow state, satisfaction, immersion │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Core Game Loop
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ENGAGEMENT LOOP │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 1. INPUT → Player takes action │
│ 2. PROCESS → Game calculates results │
│ 3. FEEDBACK → Immediate visual/audio response │
│ 4. REWARD → Progress, points, unlocks │
│ 5. REPEAT → Loop invites next iteration │
│ │
│ Loop Quality Criteria: │
│ ✓ Fast feedback (< 100ms) │
│ ✓ Clear causation │
│ ✓ Rewarding outcomes │
│ ✓ Compelling repetition │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Flow Channel (Csikszentmihalyi)
Anxiety
↑
Hard │ ████
│ ██████ ← FLOW CHANNEL
Skill │ ████████ (Optimal Engagement)
Level │████████████
Easy │██████████████
└──────────────────→
Low Challenge High
TARGET: Match challenge to player skill
Player Psychology
Bartle's Player Types
| Type | Motivation | Design For | |------|------------|------------| | Achiever | Goals, progression | Achievements, levels | | Explorer | Discovery, secrets | Hidden content, lore | | Socializer | Community | Chat, guilds, co-op | | Killer | Competition | PvP, leaderboards |
Motivation Drivers
SELF-DETERMINATION THEORY:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ AUTONOMY: Choice and control over actions │
│ COMPETENCE: Mastery and skill demonstration │
│ RELATEDNESS: Connection to characters/community │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Reward Systems
REWARD TYPES:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ INTRINSIC (Internal): │
│ • Achievement satisfaction │
│ • Creative expression │
│ • Curiosity fulfillment │
│ • Skill mastery │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ EXTRINSIC (External): │
│ • Points, scores │
│ • Unlocks, cosmetics │
│ • Leaderboard position │
│ • Currency rewards │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
REWARD SCHEDULING:
• Fixed Ratio: Every N actions (predictable)
• Variable Ratio: Random timing (engaging but ethical concerns)
• Fixed Interval: Every N seconds
• Milestone: At progression checkpoints
Balance Principles
| Aspect | Goal | Technique | |--------|------|-----------| | Mechanical | All options viable | Counter-play, trade-offs | | Economic | Meaningful scarcity | Sinks and faucets | | Difficulty | Appropriate challenge | Dynamic scaling | | Competitive | Fair play | Mirror balance, no dominance |
🔧 Troubleshooting
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ PROBLEM: Players find game boring │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ ROOT CAUSES: │
│ • Challenge too easy (below flow channel) │
│ • No clear goals or progression │
│ • Feedback loop too slow │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ SOLUTIONS: │
│ → Increase challenge curve │
│ → Add clear milestones and rewards │
│ → Speed up core loop, add variety │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ PROBLEM: Players frustrated / quitting │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ ROOT CAUSES: │
│ • Difficulty spike (above flow channel) │
│ • Unclear mechanics or feedback │
│ • Unfair or random feeling deaths │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ SOLUTIONS: │
│ → Smooth difficulty curve │
│ → Improve tutorial and feedback │
│ → Make deaths feel fair and educational │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ PROBLEM: Dominant strategy / no variety │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ SOLUTIONS: │
│ → Add counter-play to dominant options │
│ → Buff underused alternatives │
│ → Create situational advantages │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Design Checklist
PRE-PRODUCTION:
□ Target audience defined
□ Core loop documented
□ Unique selling point clear
□ Reference games analyzed
PRODUCTION:
□ Mechanics serve aesthetics
□ Feedback loops verified
□ Balance spreadsheets maintained
□ Playtest schedule in place
POLISH:
□ First-time user experience tested
□ Difficulty curve validated
□ Reward timing optimized
□ Edge cases handled
Use this skill: When designing game systems, understanding player psychology, or balancing gameplay.