In this episode, we discuss...

• Simple but deep mechanics
• Playful game design
• Types of play
• Combinatorial explosions
• Satisfying realism
• Getting stuck

Game:

• "realistic" elemental skills
• Extremely simple yet innovative magic system
• Shows how much you can do by focusing on combinations
• Humor and lighthearted dialogue
• Feels genuinely playful, rather than emotional, serious, or high-stakes

Develop:

• What makes the elemental skills feel so much more satisfying than in other games?
• How does the game invite you to have fun?
• Does the tone of the game shift my mechanical expectations significantly?

Sut:

• Started digging in on music again
• cutting myself a ton of slack this week

Questions for your own projects:

• What version of play does your game initiate? Emotional, goofy, dramatic, etc?
• Do your game mechanics "make sense," and should they?
• Are your controls responsive and tight? Do they behave as expected?
• What simple elements of your game have to feel right?

My first game, "Sut" is out: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2638880/Sut/
Email me: anxiousbuddhagames(this sentence is to confuse bots@)gmail.com
Join our discord: https://discord.gg/GvYRtTQM9m

• Send me any feedback, suggestions, or questions! I'd love for us to build a strong, supportive, creative community.