Introduction to Game Systems Design

Chapter 17

Fine-Tuning Balance, Testing, and Problem Solving

Most of a system designer’s time is actually not spent designing. Most of a system designer’s time is actually spent tuning, testing, and problem solving. This chapter discusses some of the specific methods that make this very large task more manageable.

Balance

Balance, in terms of game design, refers to massaging game data so that players feel that they have agency. Throughout a game, you want a player to constantly consider questions such as these:

• Does my RPG hero use a sword or an axe?

• Does my racing car use front-wheel or rear-wheel drive?

• Does my farmer plant corn or wheat?

In a good game, the answers to questions such as these are not always obvious. In addition, different ...