Game Design

1---
2name: game-design
3description: Game design principles. GDD structure, balancing, player psychology, progression.
4allowed-tools: Read, Glob, Grep
5---
6 
7# Game Design Principles
8 
9> Design thinking for engaging games.
10 
11---
12 
13## 1. Core Loop Design
14 
15### The 30-Second Test
16 
17```
18Every game needs a fun 30-second loop:
191. ACTION → Player does something
202. FEEDBACK → Game responds
213. REWARD → Player feels good
224. REPEAT
23```
24 
25### Loop Examples
26 
27| Genre | Core Loop |
28|-------|-----------|
29| Platformer | Run → Jump → Land → Collect |
30| Shooter | Aim → Shoot → Kill → Loot |
31| Puzzle | Observe → Think → Solve → Advance |
32| RPG | Explore → Fight → Level → Gear |
33 
34---
35 
36## 2. Game Design Document (GDD)
37 
38### Essential Sections
39 
40| Section | Content |
41|---------|---------|
42| **Pitch** | One-sentence description |
43| **Core Loop** | 30-second gameplay |
44| **Mechanics** | How systems work |
45| **Progression** | How player advances |
46| **Art Style** | Visual direction |
47| **Audio** | Sound direction |
48 
49### Principles
50 
51- Keep it living (update regularly)
52- Visuals help communicate
53- Less is more (start small)
54 
55---
56 
57## 3. Player Psychology
58 
59### Motivation Types
60 
61| Type | Driven By |
62|------|-----------|
63| **Achiever** | Goals, completion |
64| **Explorer** | Discovery, secrets |
65| **Socializer** | Interaction, community |
66| **Killer** | Competition, dominance |
67 
68### Reward Schedules
69 
70| Schedule | Effect | Use |
71|----------|--------|-----|
72| **Fixed** | Predictable | Milestone rewards |
73| **Variable** | Addictive | Loot drops |
74| **Ratio** | Effort-based | Grind games |
75 
76---
77 
78## 4. Difficulty Balancing
79 
80### Flow State
81 
82```
83Too Hard → Frustration → Quit
84Too Easy → Boredom → Quit
85Just Right → Flow → Engagement
86```
87 
88### Balancing Strategies
89 
90| Strategy | How |
91|----------|-----|
92| **Dynamic** | Adjust to player skill |
93| **Selection** | Let player choose |
94| **Accessibility** | Options for all |
95 
96---
97 
98## 5. Progression Design
99 
100### Progression Types
101 
102| Type | Example |
103|------|---------|
104| **Skill** | Player gets better |
105| **Power** | Character gets stronger |
106| **Content** | New areas unlock |
107| **Story** | Narrative advances |
108 
109### Pacing Principles
110 
111- Early wins (hook quickly)
112- Gradually increase challenge
113- Rest beats between intensity
114- Meaningful choices
115 
116---
117 
118## 6. Anti-Patterns
119 
120| ❌ Don't | ✅ Do |
121|----------|-------|
122| Design in isolation | Playtest constantly |
123| Polish before fun | Prototype first |
124| Force one way to play | Allow player expression |
125| Punish excessively | Reward progress |
126 
127---
128 
129> **Remember:** Fun is discovered through iteration, not designed on paper.
130