This document discusses various concepts related to game design and balancing, including: - Single-player and multi-player game balancing, including difficulty, complexity, learning curves, and team balance. - The concept of replayability in games and how including varied challenges, solutions, and goals can promote replayability. - The use of varied gameplay both within and between game sessions to encourage replayability and balance difficulty. - The concept of "meta games" that are based on the outcomes of other games, either as part of the underlying game or as independent games. - Upcoming assignments which include a test on previous lessons and group playtesting of a balanced game at a game fair.

1. Level 10
David Mullich
Game Mechanics
The Los Angeles Film School

3. Single-Player Game Balancing
 Single-Player Balancing
 Difficulty
 Complexity
 Smooth Learning Curve

4. Multi-Player Game Balancing
 Multi-Player Balancing
 Balancing Effects
 Symmetry
 Rock-Paper-Scissors
 Handicaps
 Team Balance

5. Game Mastery
 Game Mastery
 Smooth Learning Curves
 Empowerment

6. Boss Battle Time!
There will now be a test on Levels 7-9!

7. Replayablity
The level to which a game provides new
challenges or experiences when played again.

8. Why Designers Want Replayablity
 Promotes Game Mastery
Warning! Can conflict with:
 Exploration
 Memorization
 Surprises
 Tension
 Puzzle Solving
 Narrative Structures
 Unknown Goals

9. Replayable Challenges
 Variety of Challenges
 Asymmetric Goals
 Player-Selected Goals

10. Replayable Solutions
 Asymmetric Abilities
 Optional Goals
 Reversibility
 Experimenting

11. Trans-Game Information
 Scores
 High Score List
 Near Miss Indicators
 Strategic Information

12. Replayablity Design Considerations
 Are challenges different between game
instances?
 Can challenges be solved in different
ways?
 Can players compare results between
games?

13. Varied Gameplay
The game provides variety in gameplay, either
within a single play session or between different
game sessions.

14. Why Designers Use Varied Gameplay
Encourages:
 Replayablity
 Freedom of Choice
 Competency Areas
Balances:
 Level of Difficulty
 Narrative Structures
 Game Mastery
Warning! May conflict with:
 Sensory-Motoric Immersion
 Game Mastery
 Quick Games

15. Varying Actions
 Budget Action Points
 Converters and Producer-Consumer
Chains
 Sets of Skills
 Transfer of Control of Tools and Controllers
 Dynamic Alliances
 Ability Losses

16. Varying Goals
 Selectable Goals
 Supporting Goals
 Games within Games

17. Varied Gameplay Within Sessions
 Can players perform different actions?
 Can players choose between different
goals?

18. Varied Gameplay Between Sessions
 Does the game world change between
instances?
 Does the player’s goals change between
instances?
 Can players choose what type of
asymmetric abilities they have?
 Can players develop characters?
 Can players form teams?

19. Meta Games
A game based on the effects and outcomes of
other games.

20. Meta Games That Are Part Of The
Game
 Optional Goals
 Easter Eggs
 Scores and High Score Lists
 Scores of Game within Games
 Handicap

21. Meta Games That Are Independent Of
Game
 Best of 3 in Rock-Paper-Scissors
 Guessing the Outcome
 Betting
 Ownership of Trophies and other Real-
World Objects
 Team Development

22. Why Designers Like Meta Games
 Provides Extra-Game Consequences
 Results in Trans-Game Information
 Changes Single-Player into Multiplayer
 Minimizes Luck
 Modifies Risk-Reward Choices
 Allows Spectators to become Players

23. Meta Games Design Configurations
 Is the meta game designed to be an part of
the underlying game?
 Is the meta game independent of the
underlying game?

24. Student Course Evaluation
https://tinyurl.com/lafs-game-dec17

25. Group Quest
Conduct playtesting at Game Fair for the
game you balanced in the last class session.

26. Use the LMS to report on what you learned
from Game Fair playtesting.