Game Development: Game Balance
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Transcript of Game Development: Game Balance
Managing Game DevelopmentGame Balance
Objectives
Demonstrate an understanding of game balance.
Explain the features of player/player balance.Explain the features of player/gameplay balance.Explain the features of gameplay/gameplay balance.
Player/Player BalanceThis is most important in fighting games or multiplayer FPS.
A balanced game should avoid random elements that favor one player.
The simplest way to ensure perfect balance is by exact symmetry
In Virtual Fighter:
If Sarah whips lion every time? It becomes a game imbalance.
Player/Gameplay balance
This is the key to fun.
Reward the player.
Let the machine do the work.
Make a game that you can play with not against.
Hardcore players may claim they want a very difficult opponent, in reality they just want to have fun like all other players.
They want to play, not fight for their lives.
ROCK PAPERSCISSORS
Gameplay/ Gameplay balance
SCISSORSROCK PAPER
INTRANSITIVE GAME MECHANICS
ROCK
PAPER
SCISSORS
0 -1 +2
0 -1+1
+1 0-2
PAYOFF MATRIX any game can be represented this way
any game can be represented in a excel file: numbers
INTRANSITIVE GAME MECHANICS
ROCK
PAPER
SCISSORS
0 -1 +2
0 -1+1
+1 0-2
Sum must = O, one player gains another loses
Net Payoff = (0x r) + (-1 x p) + (2 X s)1)R- 1p +2s2) P = r – s3) S = 2r + 2p
TABLE can have unlimited columns
Gameplay/Gameplay
Variety of interesting choices for the player
Optimum choices depend on the choices other players make
How frequently are the choices worth making
Intransitive game mechanics are good
Attribute balance and Stone-Paper-scissors
What is intransitive about Stone-Paper-scissors
A Game Balance Checklist
A player should never be put in an unwinnable situation through no fault of their own.
The game should be fun to learn as well as to play, and it should be more fun the more you master it.
All options in the game must be worth using sometimes, and the net cost of using each option must be worth using sometimes, and the net cost of using each option must commensurate with the payoff you get for using it.
A Game Balance Checklist
A player should never be put in an unwinnable situation through no fault of their own.
The game should be fun to learn as well as to play, and it should be more fun the more you master it.
All options in the game must be worth using sometimes, and the net cost of using each option must be worth using sometimes, and the net cost of using each option must commensurate with the payoff you get for using it.