Game Design Secrets: Time-Saving Tips that Ramp Up the Fun!

Discover hidden game design tips that not only streamline production time but also keep players engaged. Alex Burnett, a Level Designer at Kwalee shares insights on how to design a game and create a compelling player experience without revealing the inner mechanics to the players. These video game design tips and tricks offer a more fulfilling player experience, complementing your mechanics, your player’s intentions, and your game’s vision. These tips work for any game – whether it's hybrid casual mobile games or intense PC and console games!

Rubberbanding

Rubberbanding bridges the gap between winning and losing players, either by granting the trailing player an advantage or increasing the challenge for a player who's leading.For example, in our game Foam Climber,? if you fall into the water then the player ahead of you will have their speed reduced for a while. This stops players from giving up and keeps tension in the race. If you’d like to play the game, check it out for Android and iOS.

Coyote Time

Remember those classic cartoons like The Road Runner and Tom & Jerry? That mid-air pause before a fall? Games use this too, especially in platformers where timing and positioning is key.When a player jumps between points, there's a brief moment where you can step off the platform and still have a chance to make the jump. Even though you can see the gap, the game has a hidden object right after the edge. This lets you walk into empty space for a short time.This trick helps because fast games mean quick decisions. Timing jumps in the rush can lead to errors and frustration. In Celeste, the implementation of the coyote time technique aids players with their jumps, which is crucial given the renowned challenge of guiding Madeline up the mountain.

The ‘Last’ Last Life

This game design technique is both discreet and powerful. It's often employed in games with health systems and tough challenges – what you see as your remaining health might not be accurate. The approach varies across games, but the objective is the same: create the sensation of a close call, which will intensify tension and in-turn satisfaction during gameplay.

Mirroring Levels

If you’ve wondered how game makers create hours worth of gameplay, it’s by mirroring levels. You can do this by switching the level’s start and end points. Popular games like Mario Kart and Halo: Combat Evolved use the technique to keep players engaged for long durations. Reusing designs and assets saves you time, money, and development resources, and offers the opportunity to add fresh, new content for your players to enjoy. Now, who wouldn’t want that?

Find more mind-blowing game design tips in our blog article. If you particularly like one of these tips, or have noticed them in games you frequently play, leave a comment.