The document discusses the importance of game balance in game development, emphasizing player/player, player/gameplay, and gameplay/gameplay balance. It explains that a balanced game should avoid favoring one player and should provide a fun experience, focusing on rewarding players rather than creating overly difficult challenges. Additionally, it highlights the significance of options being worth using and ensuring that players are not placed in unwinnable situations.

1. Managing Game
Development
Game Balance

2. 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.

3. Player/
Player Balance
This 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
InVirtual Fighter:
If Sarah whips lion every
time? It becomes a game
imbalance.

4. Player/Game
play 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.

5. ROCK PAPER
SCISSORS
Gameplay/
Gameplay
balance

6. SCISSORS
ROCK 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

7. 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 +2s
2) P = r – s
3) S = 2r + 2p
TABLE can have unlimited columns

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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.