Chris Crawford on Game Design

Intensity of Conflict

Conflict is carried out with varying degrees of intensity. It's easiest to think of conflict resolution as a process that requires a given amount of conflict. That conflict can be concentrated into a short time, in which case the conflict is intense, or it can be spread out over a longer time, in which case it is less intense. This distinction directly bears on the design of your game. Intense conflict necessitates a short game; a longer game requires less intensity. Many designers fail to grasp this simple concept; they create games of long-duration intensity. The monsters just keep coming, the killing is non-stop, and the player is exhausted when the game finally ends. While less experienced players revel in such intensity, ...