Games are an art form that controls the player’s attention through interactivity. The first principle is focus. Don’t leave the player wondering what to focus on. Clearly indicate the main object of attention, whether it’s a bright landmark on the level or a key plot goal. The second principle is anticipation. The player should understand in advance that something is about to happen, whether it’s the sound of an approaching train or the buildup of energy before a lightning strike. The third principle is demonstrating change. Communicate all important changes, especially if they are rare, such as NPC animations when getting into a car or quest completion notifications.
The following four principles shape the player’s reaction and meet their expectations. The fourth principle is believable events and behavior. All actions, reactions, and events must be consistent with the logic of the world: enemies retreat when the player is in an unfavorable position, the HUD flashes when a vehicle is damaged. The fifth is layering events and behavior. A variety of events create dynamics and tension, such as simultaneously building defenses and attacking enemies or multiple storylines. The sixth is physics. The player expects the familiar logic of the world: gravity, weight, force, so it is important that holes in the floor are the right size and that sparks appear when vehicles collide. Seventh is sound. Sounds enhance the impression and immersion; every sound should have a purpose, such as the noise of flies in a swamp location or changes in volume depending on distance.
The pace of events is also important. The next principle is pace. Control the speed of events and the player’s concentration by alternating between intense and calm moments. Space is also important. You need to keep an eye on the relationship between elements and available space: the number of enemies should be proportional to the size of the level, and slow-motion animation helps to show narrow passages.
The next principle concerns the approach to design. Linear design allows you to make quick decisions and find creative solutions in the process, while systemic design structures the game and forms a logical hierarchy. It is best to use both methods depending on the stage of development.
The basis of any project is the player. It is important to consider how the player influences the game and interacts with the mechanics. If the idea is good, but the player doesn’t like it, it needs to be changed. Communication within the team is also critical. If the developers don’t understand the essence of the game, the player won’t understand it either. Collaboration between the level designer and the artist, or clear documentation for the systems, helps to avoid misunderstandings. And finally, appeal. Always assess whether an idea will interest your audience, whether it’s players, investors, or your team. Even if an idea seems boring to you personally, it may work for others, such as running down the street while being chased by agents, or enhancing the mechanics of a strike with visual effects.
Applying these 13 principles helps create a more cohesive and engaging experience for the player. They are not a substitute for practice, but they provide a handy checklist for reviewing all decisions at each stage of development.