About Game Design

I am a game designer. And I have a glaring weakness: math.

Every time I balance games, I try to balance off of feeling alone. And of course, it does not always work. When this happens, I usually take a look at games with similar systems (resources, in-game economy, etc.) and retrofit their system into my game. Now, I know this is not the most elegant approach, but it has served me well so far.

Why am I telling you this? To me, a game designer should have a deep understanding of systems (whether it is designing or reading them) and all forms of interaction concerning those systems (whether it is system – system or user-system interaction). So, if we are talking about tried and true game formula, I do believe that any reasonably good game designer can design them.

If, on the other hand, we are talking about new, innovative game concepts, I doubt ANY good game designer can pull them off. Let’s take me as an example again. If I were to design a new, innovative in-game economy, I would miserably fail, since I lack basic and profound understanding of math.I am a game designer. And I have a glaring weakness: math.

Every time I balance games, I try to balance off of feeling alone. And of course, it does not always work. When this happens, I usually take a look at games with similar systems (resources, in-game economy, etc.) and retrofit their system into my game. Now, I know this is not the most elegant approach, but it has served me well so far.

Why am I telling you this? To me, a game designer should have a deep understanding of systems (whether it is designing or reading them) and all forms of interaction concerning those systems (whether it is system – system or user-system interaction). So, if we are talking about tried and true game formula, I do believe that any reasonably good game designer can design them.

If, on the other hand, we are talking about new, innovative game concepts, I doubt ANY good game designer can pull them off. Let’s take me as an example again. If I were to design a new, innovative in-game economy, I would miserably fail, since I lack basic and profound understanding of math.