GAME DESIGN Game design tricks
The secret tricks games play on you, and how to use them in yours.
- What is a login streak? Why losing your streak hurts so muchA login streak grows every day and drops to zero if you miss one. Learn why loss aversion makes it work, how Duolingo uses it, and how to design one.
- What is an energy timer in games? Why Candy Crush makes you wait for livesAn energy timer limits how much you can play, then refills over time. Learn how Candy Crush lives work, why designers use them, and how to build one.
- What is the near-miss effect in games? Why losing by one move makes you retryA near-miss shows you how close you came to winning, and that makes you want another try. See how Candy Crush uses it and how to design it.
- What is hit stop? Why games freeze for a split second when you land a hitHit stop freezes the game for a few frames when an attack lands, so hits feel heavy. Learn how it works, who uses it, and how to add it to your game.
- What is input buffering? Why an early button press still worksInput buffering holds a button press you made too early and fires it when you can act. See how it works, Street Fighter 6 numbers, and code.
- Why does every idle game upgrade cost more? The exponential cost curveIdle games raise each upgrade price by a fixed percent, so costs grow faster than income. See the formula, real numbers and how to tune it.
- What is rubber banding in games? Why Mario Kart helps you in last placeRubber banding helps the player who is losing and slows the leader. See how Mario Kart does it, why designers hide it, and how to add it.
- How does Mario World 1-1 teach you without words?Super Mario Bros. World 1-1 teaches jumping, enemies and power-ups with no text. See how it works and how to teach your players the same way.
- Why do game doors open so slowly? The hidden loading trickSlow game doors often hide loading. See how Metroid Prime used doors to load the next room, and how to hide loading screens in your own game.
- What is a pity timer? Why some games guarantee your lucky dropA pity timer counts your bad luck and forces a rare drop. See how Hearthstone does it, why it keeps players, and how to build one in your game.
- What is last-HP mercy? Why you survive with one sliver of healthSome games count your last bit of health as more hit points than the rest. Learn how last-HP mercy works, why it feels great, and how to add it.
- What is coyote time? Why you can jump after running off a ledgeCoyote time lets you jump a split second after running off a ledge. Here is how it works, why it feels fair, and how to add it to your game.