Creating magic systems beyond traditional fire and ice bolts, delving into depth and interlocking systems, the ongoing debate on scientificity of magic, examples of inventive magic systems in roguelike games, the mental ordeal of banishment in Dungeon Crawlstone Soup, capturing horror and unknowable magic, proposing improvements for magic scrolls, and personal fascination with magic systems in games.
Creating a sense of mystery and novelty is essential in designing magic systems.
There is a trade-off between customizable and pre-designed magic systems, with the need for balance to avoid broken gameplay.
Magic in games should feel like an external force that follows its own rules, pushing back against the player and maintaining a sense of mystery and enchantment.
Deep dives
Making Magic Feel Mystical and Unknowable
The podcast episode explores the challenge of making magic in games feel mystical and unknowable rather than just a system of predictable and flashy effects. The speakers discuss the importance of capturing the subtle and mood-changing aspects of magic, inspired by Tolkein's work. They highlight the use of songs in the game Silt to evoke the spirit of particular things or concepts, with mechanical effects tied to the songs. They also discuss the difficulty of representing mental magic or illusions in games and the need for deep systems to support such effects. Overall, the speakers emphasize the significance of creating a sense of mystery, novelty, and the unknown in magic systems.
The Trade-Off between Customization and Bespoke Magic
The podcast delves into the trade-off between having fully customizable magic systems and more bespoke, pre-designed magic spells. The speakers point out that fully customizable systems can result in repetitive and optimal spell combinations, whereas bespoke spells add narrative and immersive qualities to the magic. They discuss the need for balance to avoid an overpowered or broken system and highlight the success of games like Slay the Spire in creating broken builds that are exciting to play. They also touch on the importance of systems and world-building to support the unique aspects and behaviors of different spells and magical effects.
The Appeal of Magic as an External Force
The podcast explores the appeal of magic as an external force that players have to work with and navigate rather than fully control. The speakers discuss the satisfaction of encountering magic that feels unknowable, and they highlight the idea that magic systems should push back against the player and follow their own rules to maintain a sense of mystery and enchantment. They mention the concept of gardening games, where systems don't overly cater to the player's desires, and compare it to how magic in games should feel like an unpredictable and independent entity. The speakers also discuss the challenge of balancing game mechanics to prevent degenerative loops and maintain enjoyable gameplay.
Balancing Player Ownership and System Depth in Magic Systems
The podcast delves into the challenge of balancing player ownership and system depth in magic systems. The speakers discuss the appeal of both customizable magic systems, where players can create unique spells, and bespoke magic systems that provide a rich narrative and immersive experience. They mention the need to avoid players always seeking the best combinations or cornering the parameter space, while still allowing room for player creativity. They highlight the importance of systems and world-building to support the different aspects and behaviors of magic, and they suggest that procedural generation and bespoke elements can both be effective approaches based on the desired player experience.
The Importance of Randomness and Balancing in Game Design
Randomness and balancing are key elements in game design, especially in implementing magic systems. Randomness adds variability to gameplay and prevents a repetitive experience. Balancing different versions of magic against each other ensures that there isn't just one optimal build. Additionally, magic can be a game-breaking element, and the challenge lies in setting limits and restrictions to maintain balance and prevent it from overpowering the game.
The Impact of Magical Fragility and Conditional Spells
Magic in games often involves trade-offs, with certain casting classes being more fragile. Conditional spells require players to have a deep understanding of their environment and spell mechanics, enhancing the strategic aspect. While playing as a glass cannon magic user can be challenging, mastering the system allows for devastating effects and satisfaction. Managing spell slots and being aware of situational control adds an extra layer of complexity to the gameplay, making magic feel powerful, but also vulnerable to threats.
