Are you a developer looking to create an engaging and viral game on PC? Look no further! In this article, we will explore the 7 game design rules that have been proven to increase player engagement, retention, and overall satisfaction.
The 7 Game Design Rules
1. Keep it Simple
One of the most important aspects of game design is to keep things simple. Players should be able to understand the rules and objectives of the game quickly, without having to spend hours reading instruction manuals or watching tutorials. This will help to reduce frustration and increase player engagement from the beginning.
2. Make it Fun
The most important rule in game design is to make the game fun. It doesn’t matter how well designed the game is if players aren’t enjoying themselves. To achieve this, you need to create a balance between challenge and reward, and ensure that the player is given feedback on their progress. This will help to keep players motivated and engaged throughout the game.
3. Make it Addictive
To create a truly viral game, you need to make it addictive. This means creating a game that players can’t stop playing, and one that they want to share with their friends and family. To achieve this, you need to create a sense of urgency and reward players for playing repeatedly. This will keep them coming back for more, and help to spread the word about your game.
4. Make it Interactive
An interactive game is one that encourages player participation and engagement. This can be achieved by incorporating elements such as social media integration, user-generated content, and real-time events. These features will keep players engaged and coming back for more, and help to create a sense of community around your game.
5. Make it Visually Appealing
The visuals of the game are just as important as the gameplay itself. A visually appealing game will attract more players and keep them engaged throughout the game. This can be achieved by using high-quality graphics, animations, and sound effects that enhance the overall experience of the game.
6. Make it Accessible
A game that is accessible to everyone is more likely to become viral. This means making sure that your game can be played on a range of devices, and ensuring that players with disabilities can access the game. You should also consider localization and translation to make your game accessible to a global audience.
7. Make it Educational
Finally, to create a truly viral game, you need to make it educational. This means creating a game that teaches something new or provides valuable insights into a particular topic. By doing this, you can create a game that not only entertains but also educates players, which will help to spread the word about your game and attract a wider audience.
Case Studies
Now that we have covered the 7 game design rules let’s take a look at some real-life examples of games that have successfully implemented these rules:
1. Angry Birds
Angry Birds is a mobile game that has been downloaded over 2 billion times and has a global fan base of over 400 million players. The game’s success can be attributed to its simplicity, addictive nature, and social media integration, which encourages players to share their progress with their friends.
2. Minecraft
Minecraft is a sandbox game that has been downloaded over 100 million times and has a global fan base of over 40 million players. The game’s success can be attributed to its interactivity, accessibility, and educational nature, which teaches players about physics, architecture, and creativity.
3. World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft is an MMORPG that has a global fan base of over 10 million players. The game’s success can be attributed to its simplicity, addictive nature, and real-time events, which encourage players to log in every day.
4. Candy Crush Saga
Candy Crush Saga is a mobile game that has been downloaded over 500 million times and has a global fan base of over 200 million players. The game’s success can be attributed to its simplicity, addictive nature, and social media integration, which encourages players to compete with their friends.
Personal Experience
As a developer myself, I have experienced the power of these 7 game design rules firsthand. By implementing these rules into my games, I have seen an increase in player engagement, retention, and overall satisfaction.