Game Development: Game Balance

Managing Game DevelopmentGame Balance

Objectives

Demonstrate an understanding of game balance.

Explain the features of player/player balance.Explain the features of player/gameplay balance.Explain the features of gameplay/gameplay balance.

Player/Player BalanceThis is most important in fighting games or multiplayer FPS.

A balanced game should avoid random elements that favor one player.

The simplest way to ensure perfect balance is by exact symmetry

In Virtual Fighter:

If Sarah whips lion every time? It becomes a game imbalance.

Player/Gameplay balance

This is the key to fun.

Reward the player.

Let the machine do the work.

Make a game that you can play with not against.

Hardcore players may claim they want a very difficult opponent, in reality they just want to have fun like all other players.

They want to play, not fight for their lives.

ROCK PAPERSCISSORS

Gameplay/ Gameplay balance

SCISSORSROCK PAPER

INTRANSITIVE GAME MECHANICS

ROCK

PAPER

SCISSORS

0 -1 +2

0 -1+1

+1 0-2

PAYOFF MATRIX any game can be represented this way

any game can be represented in a excel file: numbers

INTRANSITIVE GAME MECHANICS

ROCK

PAPER

SCISSORS

0 -1 +2

0 -1+1

+1 0-2

Sum must = O, one player gains another loses

Net Payoff = (0x r) + (-1 x p) + (2 X s)1)R- 1p +2s2) P = r – s3) S = 2r + 2p

TABLE can have unlimited columns

Gameplay/Gameplay

Variety of interesting choices for the player

Optimum choices depend on the choices other players make

How frequently are the choices worth making

Intransitive game mechanics are good

Attribute balance and Stone-Paper-scissors

What is intransitive about Stone-Paper-scissors

A Game Balance Checklist

A player should never be put in an unwinnable situation through no fault of their own.

The game should be fun to learn as well as to play, and it should be more fun the more you master it.

All options in the game must be worth using sometimes, and the net cost of using each option must be worth using sometimes, and the net cost of using each option must commensurate with the payoff you get for using it.

A Game Balance Checklist

A player should never be put in an unwinnable situation through no fault of their own.

The game should be fun to learn as well as to play, and it should be more fun the more you master it.

All options in the game must be worth using sometimes, and the net cost of using each option must be worth using sometimes, and the net cost of using each option must commensurate with the payoff you get for using it.