Game Loops & Decisions

Meaningful Decisions Means Fun

"A game is a series of interesting decisions."

Sid Meier, GDC 1989

People are easily bored with situations where they have no agency, or choice. This is why it's important to carefully consider what meaningful decisions players will be able to make in your Experience. This is what makes games fun.

Hint: Even if players can't win, they will continue playing if they can influence the outcome.

Types of Decisions

• Short-term - tactical, reactive

• Long-term - strategic, proactive

Timing of Decisions

• Real time - pressured by game events

• Turn based - time to plan decisions

Characteristics of Decisions

• Trade-offs/Risk vs. Reward

  • Immediate vs. Persistent Effects

  • Indirect "Ripple" Effects

• Meet Short and/or Long Term Goals

• Economic/Resource Management

• Survival/Situational

Influences on Player Decisions

• Preferred play style(s)

• Personal beliefs/feelings

• Assumptions from previous games

• Conclusions of how your game works based on information or experiential learning opportunities you provide

What is a Gameplay Loop?

A loop is any repeating action you may find in a game. The core loop is the sequence of main actions repeated in your game, such as exploring a level, collecting resources, and using the resources to build something, then using what you built to explore more areas and so on.

Secondary loops are additional sequences of actions that can happen on the side, like visiting a shop to buy equipment to explore more areas faster or leveling up your equipment at a blacksmith so you can explore harder to reach areas when you get back into the core loop again.

Examples by Genre

Below are some sample gameplay loops you may find in various game types to help you get started. You can combine game genres and create more complex loops. The new Game Rules system allows you to create variables, unlocking many new gameplay types, which could be included in secondary loops to make your core loop more interesting.

Tower Defense

CORE GAMEPLAY LOOP

Build Defenses:

Strategically place towers or units to defend against waves of enemies.

Wave Combat:

Survive and repel waves of enemies using the placed defenses.

Resource Management:

Collect resources to build and upgrade towers.

SECONDARY LOOP

Tower Upgrades:

Upgrade individual towers to enhance their effectiveness.

SECONDARY LOOP

Research:

Unlock new tower types or abilities through research.

Obby (Obstacle Course)

CORE GAMEPLAY LOOP

Navigate Obstacles:

Overcome a series of challenging obstacles and platforming elements.

Precision Movement:

Execute precise jumps, slides, and maneuvers to progress.

Time Trials:

Complete courses as quickly as possible.

SECONDARY LOOP

Cosmetic Customization:

Unlock and customize the appearance of the character.

SECONDARY LOOP

Community Courses:

Create and share custom obstacle courses with other players.

Resource Management

CORE GAMEPLAY LOOP

Gather Resources:

Collect raw materials or currency through various means.

Build/Expand:

Use resources to construct or upgrade structures, or expand territory.

Economic Optimization:

Manage resources efficiently to sustain growth and development.

SECONDARY LOOP

Research & Development:

Invest in technologies or upgrades to improve resource efficiency.

SECONDARY LOOP

Trade:

Engage in trading with other players or AI entities for additional resources.

Idle

CORE GAMEPLAY LOOP

Automated Progression:

Gain resources or progress over time through simple actions or passively.

Upgrades:

Invest earned resources in upgrades to boost passive gains.

Prestige Systems:

Reset progress for additional bonuses and accelerated growth.

SECONDARY LOOP

Quests & Achievements:

Complete tasks for extra rewards.

SECONDARY LOOP

Social Features:

Connect with other players in guilds or through shared leaderboards.

Action

CORE GAMEPLAY LOOP

Combat:

Engage in real-time, fast-paced combat against enemies.

Skill Mastery:

Learn and master various combat skills and abilities.

Exploration:

Navigate through diverse environments filled with challenges.

SECONDARY LOOP

Loot and Gear:

Collect and upgrade weapons, armor, and equipment.

SECONDARY LOOP

Challenges:

Complete additional challenges or side quests for extra rewards.

Social Hub

CORE GAMEPLAY LOOP

Social Interaction:

Connect and communicate with other players in a shared space.

Mini-Games:

Engage in collaborative or competitive mini-games.

Cosmetic Customization:

Personalize avatars or living spaces.

SECONDARY LOOP

Events & Gatherings:

Participate in scheduled events or gatherings.

SECONDARY LOOP

Achievements:

Unlock achievements related to social interactions and participation.

Social Deduction

CORE GAMEPLAY LOOP

Deception:

Players take on roles with hidden agendas, working to achieve or thwart objectives.

Discussion & Voting:

Engage in discussions to identify or mislead others, followed by voting.

Investigation:

Gather information to uncover other players' true identities and motives.

SECONDARY LOOP

Roles & Abilities:

Unique roles with special abilities or information.

SECONDARY LOOP

Dynamic Scenarios:

Varied game scenarios or objectives to keep gameplay fresh.

Survival

CORE GAMEPLAY LOOP

Resource Scavenging:

Collect resources to satisfy hunger, thirst, and other needs.

Crafting:

Craft tools, weapons, and shelter for survival.

Threat Avoidance:

Evade or confront hostile entities and environmental dangers.

SECONDARY LOOP

Base Building:

Construct and upgrade a base or shelter.

SECONDARY LOOP

Dynamic Weather/Cycles:

Adapt to changing environmental conditions.

Backrooms

CORE GAMEPLAY LOOP

Exploration:

Navigate surreal and mysterious environments representing liminal spaces.

Puzzles:

Solve puzzles or challenges to progress.

Atmosphere & Horror:

Experience an eerie atmosphere with potential horror elements.

SECONDARY LOOP

Narrative Unraveling:

Discover the backstory and lore of the backrooms.

SECONDARY LOOP

Survival Elements:

Manage resources and avoid or confront unsettling entities.

Horror

CORE GAMEPLAY LOOP

Survival:

Navigate dark and unsettling environments while avoiding or confronting threats.

Atmospheric Horror:

Experience tension and fear through atmospheric elements.

Puzzle-Solving:

Solve puzzles to uncover the story or progress.

SECONDARY LOOP

Resource Scarcity:

Manage limited resources such as ammunition or health items.

SECONDARY LOOP

Narrative Unraveling:

Discover the narrative through found documents or audio logs.

Puzzle

CORE GAMEPLAY LOOP

Puzzle-Solving:

Engage in a series of challenges that require critical thinking and logic.

Exploration:

Discover clues and hidden elements to progress through the puzzle.

Narrative Integration:

Integrate puzzles seamlessly into the game's narrative.

SECONDARY LOOP

Difficulty Levels:

Offer various difficulty levels for players with different skill levels.

SECONDARY LOOP

Dynamic Puzzles:

Incorporate puzzles that evolve or change dynamically.

Adventure

Adventure

Exploration:

Explore a rich, narrative-driven world with diverse environments.

Questing:

Accept and complete quests to advance the storyline.

Character Interaction:

Engage with non-player characters to uncover lore and receive guidance.

SECONDARY LOOP

Choice & Consequence:

Make decisions that impact the narrative or character relationships.

SECONDARY LOOP

Collectibles & Achievements:

Hunt for hidden collectibles and unlock achievements.