Fundaments of Game Design Ch 3 Richard Gesick

What’s a puzzle? A puzzle is very broadly defined as a noncombat event or series of events that requires the player to complete a task or an action or some series of tasks or actions in order to progress play Commonly referred to as mini-games

Basic puzzle characteristics State, mechanics for changing state, goal state/victory condition, theme

Puzzle traits Affordances: It should be easy to figure out the rules and controls. Identifiable patterns: Patterns should be clear so that players are able to identify a series of possibilities required for the game to be solved. Colors and shapes are commonly used, as are other forms of pre-existing knowledge like the spelling of words or the function of common objects. Ease of use: Good user interface (UI). Reward player skill: If a player is encountering the puzzle many times, the player should be able to improve his or her skill.

Embedded Puzzles need: Immersion: Smooth transition between the main game and mini-game (this mostly falls to the artists making sure that the mini-game interface is done in the same visual style as the rest of the game, but the designer must consider the fit with the story and world). Meaningful consequences in the game, outside of the mini-game: Not just “you unlock a door” but “you get cool items.”

Appropriate use of puzzles inclusion of puzzles in a game should only be done to make the game more fun (supports the core of the game) puzzles are not appropriate in some games and in others, the designer is limited to certain kinds of puzzles puzzles become a direct obstacle to players, preventing them from reaching a goal until they solve the puzzle. The fun in a puzzle generally comes from the thrill of victory, the sense of achievement of solving a difficult puzzle, and the gradual sense of mastery that precedes those moments Poorly done, puzzles can reduce or eliminate the fun in the rest of the game

Puzzle Types Riddles Lateral-thinking puzzles Spatial puzzles Pattern-recognition puzzles Logic puzzles exploring the environment Item-based puzzles

Balancing Puzzles are one of the most difficult things to do well when designing a game If a puzzle is too easy or too difficult to solve Add or remove additional clues Move the clues around Allow multiple solutions dynamic, play-sensitive help or use of dynamic difficulty adjustment (DDA) Add a time limit to a simple puzzle Test the game on a variety of players Do not put the solution in the game’s official strategy guide and require players to purchase it.