Resource Management

Resource management as a core game loop could be a relaxing simulation game, such as Stardew Valley. but it could also be a secondary loop in other game types to make them more realistic or interesting, such as an action adventure game where you must cook your own meals to heal.

There are many game types where resource management logic is used, such as:

• Farming simulators

• Tower defense

• Cooking

• Economic management

Characteristics

Plan for Growth!

GAIN & USE RESOURCES

🌳 Harvest, collect, earn 🪙 Buy/sell/exchange ⚒️ Craft/build

UNLOCK EFFICIENCIES

🆙 Upgrade builds or plans 🔓 Unlock new options

FLEXIBILITY

👥 Single or multiplayer 💠 Full game or a game's secondary gameplay loop

Keys of Success

• Everyone Can Play - Simple actions to mine/farm and collect items, choose how to use them with options in dialogue

• Play for Long - Short term goals to reach long term growth and efficiency

• Play with Friends - Multiplayer or singleplayer

NEED TO HAVE

• Game currency

• Variable per resource used (avoid exceeding recommended limit)

• Utility per resource (trade, sell, craft)

NICE TO HAVE

• Automation options later in game (higher cost to motivate longer play)

Game Loops

Below is a general game loop diagram for this genre. Your game's loops may vary.

Resource Management

Learn to Create It

GAME MAKER TEMPLATES

LOGIC TO EXPLORE

• Currency

• Inventory/crafting

• Counting and comparing to purchase

• Simple or scalable logic - Shop preset in Crafty Challenge - Buying/selling method in Resource Management using message arguments

Make it More Interesting

Consider ways to add to or change the core structure of this game type to challenge and motivate players differently.

MAIN OBJECTIVE

➿ Secondary loop in another game type

🏆 Achievements

RAMP OF DIFFICULTY

🥪 More resources/recipes

🎲 Random effects on resource generation (rain, fire, etc.)

CORE DECISIONS

🔁 Trade with players

👥 Team vs personal use

🦸 Reputation system

PRACTICE: Modify the Crafty Challenge or Resource Management templates to increase the fun:

• Achievements

• Randomness

• Global vs. local variables for teams vs personal use (collaboration, competition, independence)

Useful Logic

• Game Rules Shop Preset

• Collectable

• Messages with arguments

• (Object) Presets

• Key Input rule

Tutorial Videos

Open the Resource Managment template in Game Maker to find logic included in the content below.