The Game Design Round Table cover image

The Game Design Round Table

#310 Listener Questions

Feb 14, 2024
Discussion on differences between mobile and desktop games, brokenness in game design, approaching licensing partnerships, game genealogies, and balancing innovation and familiarity in game design.
46:35

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Balancing novelty and familiarity in game design is crucial for creating an engaging experience that combines familiar elements with new and innovative features.
  • Managing risk and iteration in game design involves prioritizing high-impact elements, addressing potential problems early, and recognizing the need for continuous improvement and multiple iterations.

Deep dives

Finding the Balance Between Novelty and Familiarity

When approaching the balance between novelty and familiarity in game design, it is important to consider both the player's need for familiarity and the desire for novelty. The goal is to create a game that is both accessible and engaging. This can be achieved by strategically selecting elements of the game that are familiar to players, such as genre tropes and mechanics, that serve as anchors for them. At the same time, it is crucial to introduce novelty by breaking away from these tropes and mechanics to provide an exciting and unique experience. The key is to find the right balance, where players feel comfortable with familiar elements, but also intrigued by new and innovative features.

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