Game Spark #37 What is the core experience of the match-3 layer in Empires & Puzzles? It comes from an ancient Chinese myth: “scattering beans…
Category Archives: Game Sparks
Color as Signal: Designing Instant Meaning Through Color Language
Game Spark #36 What signals do different colors convey? — By Richard Bai Analysis: Color is one of the fastest communication tools in game design.…
Designing with Symbols: Turning Mechanics into Meaning
Game Spark #35 Symbols — what meaningful and interesting symbols exist in your game? — By Richard Bai Analysis: A game is not just systems…
Designing for Emotional Payoff: Beyond Fun, Toward Feeling
Game Spark #34 Schadenfreude, pride, satisfaction, smug delight — does your game make players feel these emotions? — By Richard Bai Analysis: Many games focus…
The Final Test: Why Every Transformation Needs a Boss
Game Spark #33 “End-of-level boss.” The final boss of a stage. A counterpart to the previous principle. — By Richard Bai Analysis: If Game Spark…