This journal explores the game design principles I've found key to designing enjoyable games that keep players logging on for more.

#1 Understanding the Player

Understanding the player is one of the most crucial game design tenets. Excellent game designers are intimately familiar with the preferences, drives, and behaviors of their target audience. The needs, wants, and interests of their target audience can be catered to by game designers by learning what players want. This is why most game developers are, at their core, gamers.

#2 Balance

Balance is yet another important game design tenet. Games need to be interesting enough to be challenging, but not frustrating enough to be frustrating. In order to maintain player engagement and challenge without making them feel overpowered, a game's mechanics, rules, and pacing must all be carefully considered.

#3 Storytelling

Great game designers must be skilled at storytelling in addition to understanding the player and maintaining balance. Players can be drawn into a game's world and kept interested in its characters and plot by a compelling story. A well-told story can enhance the depth and purpose of a game's mechanics and gameplay, whether it be through cutscenes, dialogue, or in-game events.

#4 Gameplay

Of course, engaging gameplay is necessary for any game to succeed. The game's mechanics are what keep players interested and coming back for more. In order to give players a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when they successfully use a game mechanic, it should be simple to learn but challenging to master.

#5 Obsession

Finally, great game designers must be willing to iterate and refine their work and be obsessed with their creations. Games are intricate, and getting them just right frequently involves a lot of testing and adjusting. Game designers can create experiences that genuinely resonate with their audience by being receptive to criticism and ready to adapt.

A combination of creativity, technical proficiency, and business sense is necessary for the many facets of game design. Great game designers can create experiences that captivate players and keep them logging on every day by comprehending the player, balancing gameplay, telling gripping stories, developing engaging mechanics, and iterating to perfect their work.

All the images above were developed by Abdul Mendahawi.