Practical Game Design

Mechanics and dynamics are part of a feature

We know that mechanics are the atoms of our gameplay. We've learned that the interactions among our mechanics create dynamics, and now we can finally shed some light on the term Feature.

A game feature is an entire set of mechanics, and designing a feature means not only describing each mechanic but also how they will generate dynamics and interact when played with.

Some feature examples are combat, multiplayer leaderboards, crafting, weapon upgrades, a world map, online mode, guilds, tournaments, and procedurally generated content; the list is limited only by the designer's imagination.

Here's a list of common features with some examples in popular games:

Character Creation

Skyrim, Pillars ...