Game Design

Related notes: Ludology Game Design Game Mechanics Game Theory Level Design

Structure

Journey from uncertainty to solution

Base unique game mechanics

• Core Mechanic
• Implicit learning Second layer novelty
• complexity escalation
• reprisals
• subversion

Euro game/Ameri trash - mechanics vs theme

Types

King making - not fair / asymetric

Abstract Strategy

• Moving Pieces - Position pieces strategically without themes.
• Elimination - Remove opponents’ pieces to win.
• Territory Control - Dominate areas through influence.
• Positional Play - Control key spaces strategically.
• Count and Capture - Accumulate pieces via precise moves.
• Alignment Games - Create patterns to win.
• Connection - Link paths or create defined networks.
• Roll-and-Write - Dice rolls determine marked actions.

  Optimization Problems

• Worker Placement - Assign tokens for maximum benefits.
• Resource Management - Efficiently balance resources.
• Tile-Based Strategy - Place tiles strategically.
• Network Building - Construct efficient pathways.
• Turn Ordering - Manipulate play sequence tactically.
• Race Mechanisms - Compete to reach goals fastest.
• Engine Building - Create systems for exponential growth.
• Customizable Cards - Exchange resources strategically.
• Push-Your-Luck - Risk for high rewards.

  Action

• Quick Time Events (QTE) - Timed button presses to succeed.
• Rhythm Games - Matching actions to a beat.
• Stealth Challenges - Avoiding detection through strategy.
• Combat Mechanics - Engaging in real-time fights.
• Platforming - Navigating obstacles with jumps and moves.
• Reflex Tests - Fast responses to sudden changes.

  Skill and Timing

• Precision Shooting - Aiming accurately under pressure.
• Reaction Tests - Responding quickly to stimuli.
• Timing Challenges - Executing actions at precise moments.
• Combo Chains - Linking actions in rapid succession.
• Balance Challenges - Maintaining equilibrium in gameplay.
• Dexterity Games - Physical skill-based activities.

  Puzzle Solving

• Pattern Recognition - Identifying repeating elements.
• Sequence Puzzles - Arranging items in a correct order.
• Spatial Puzzles - Manipulating objects in space.
• Logic Puzzles - Deductive reasoning to solve problems.
• Symmetry and Reflection Puzzles - Creating balanced designs.
• Environmental Puzzles - Using surroundings to find solutions.
• Cryptic Puzzles - Decoding hidden or abstract clues.

  Betting and Chance Gambling Mechanics

• Dice Games - Rolling dice with random outcomes.
• Card Games - Strategic card play with luck (e.g., Poker).
• Slot Machine Games - Spinning reels for prizes.
• Roulette - Betting on spinning wheel results.
• Lottery Mechanics - Drawing random numbers.
• Bluffing Games - Deceiving opponents to win.
• Bluffing Elements - Deceive opponents to gain advantages.
• Betting - Stake resources on uncertain outcomes.

  Strategy and Planning

• Resource Management - Efficient use of assets.
• Survival Scenarios - Making choices to stay alive.
• Crafting and Building - Creating items and structures.
• Strategy Board Games - Tactical decision-making.
• Turn-Based Tactics - Planning moves in set phases.
• Economic Simulation - Managing virtual economies.
• Worker Placement - Assigning tokens to maximize benefits.
• Engine Building - Creating systems for exponential growth.

  Exploration and Discovery

• Scavenger Hunts - Finding specific items.
• Species Discovery - Identifying new objects.
• Hidden Object Games - Spotting items in complex scenes.
• Map Navigation - Traveling through unknown areas.
• Lore Uncovering - Discovering backstory details.
• Collectible Hunting - Gathering special in-game items.

  Social Interaction

• Social Deduction - Identifying hidden roles (e.g., Werewolf). - 3 sections good, bad, neutral
• Negotiation Mechanics - Reaching agreements with others.
  • Diplomacy-Based - Form alliances, negotiate outcomes.
  • Alliance & Betrayal - Cooperate with potential backstabbing.
• Trading - Exchanging items/resources strategically.
• Auction/Bidding - Competing through offers for assets.
• Trading - Exchange items with negotiation dynamics.
• Auction/Bidding - Compete through offers.
• Stock Buying - Invest strategically for dominance.

  Hidden Information & Deception

• Hidden Roles - Identify hidden identities (e.g., Werewolf).
• Hidden Movement - Conceal positions from opponents.
• Fog of War - Limited information affects strategies.

Narrative

• Interactive Story Choices - Shaping plot through decisions.
• Dialogue Puzzles - Choosing responses to influence outcomes.
• Branching Storylines - Multiple plot paths based on actions.
• Moral Dilemmas - Facing ethical decision-making.
• Character Development - Growing personalities over time.
• Mystery Solving - Uncovering hidden truths in stories.

  Hacking and Coding

• Simulated Hacking - Breaking virtual systems.
• Programming Puzzles - Writing code to solve problems.
• Logic Circuits - Designing functional electronic systems.
• Cryptographic Challenges - Deciphering coded messages.
• Algorithm Design - Creating efficient problem-solving methods.
• Network Infiltration - Simulating cyber network breaches.

  Simulation Games

• Economic Simulations - Model supply-demand markets.
• City Building - Develop infrastructure for growth.
• Resource Sims - Manage resources under pressure.
• Physics Puzzles - Mechanical Challenges - Structural Balance

  Knowledge and Memory

• Memory Games - Recalling information accurately.
• Word Games - Forming words strategically.
• Riddles - Solving thought-provoking questions.
• Fact Matching - Associating related items correctly.

  Casual/Party Games

  Player Configurations

• 2-Player Games - Head-to-head competition.
• Multiplayer - Compete against others.
• Cooperative - Unite against game mechanics.
• Team-Based - Work together toward goals.
• Symmetric/Asymmetric - Equal/unique powers.
• Campaign Play - Progress across sessions.

one /multiple solutions

Puzzle Solving
    - Pattern Recognition
    - Sequence Puzzles
    - Spatial Puzzles
    - Logic Puzzles
    - Symmetry and Reflection Puzzles
    - Environmental Puzzles

Skill and Timing
    - Precision Shooting
    - Reaction Tests
    - Timing Challenges

Knowledge and Memory
    - Trivia Quizzes
    - Memory Games
    - Word Games (like Scrabble)

Strategy and Planning
    - Resource Management
    - Survival Scenarios
    - Crafting and Building
    - Chess or Strategy Board Games

Exploration and Discovery
    - Scavenger Hunts
    - Element or Species Discovery
    - Hidden Object Games

Physics and Mechanics
    - Physics Puzzles
    - Mechanical Challenges

Social Interaction
    - Cooperative Tasks
    - Multiplayer Competitions

Betting and Chance
    - Dice Games
    - Card Games (like Poker)
    - Slot Machine Style Games

Hacking and Coding
    - Simulated Hacking Mini-Games
    - Programming Puzzles

Narrative
    - Interactive Story Choices
    - Dialogue Puzzles

 Educational
    - Math Problems
    - Science Experiments

abstract decision trees (chest)

Puzzle 


Board games 
Abstract 
- moving pieces across the board
- elimination - chest 
- go - terrritory control 
- position 
- count and capture
- alignment 
- Connction / configuration 
- Paper and pencil - boxes or pilkarzyki 
- roll and write - and check resoults on the list - doing danger crawl 

Optimisation problem - max 
- worker placement (teritory and )
- resource management 
- tile based  - strategic placement  - network route building 
- turn ordering - compet ...
- race 
- engine build - combiation to domino effect 
- trading and customisable card - pokemon magic 
- push - punicsh for pushing to hard 

Gamble 
- poker 

Interaction betweeen players
- trading 
- auction 
- share buing - stock pile 

Negotation 
- dyplomacy 

Sneaky 
- hidden information 
- hidden movement 
- social deduction - warewolf / among us 
Casual
- trivia
- memory 
- world
- janga - structures build

Story telling  - settings  

Role playing 
Minature War games 
Simulation 


2 - play 
multi 
against the board (coop)
symetric/sasymetric - rules and strategies are different (root )
campaing  - many moths