§ 4.3 - Play begins when decisions begin.
In any game, there is a moment where the player’s decisions start contributing to their victory.
Guidelines for Strategy Game Design
Guidelines for Strategy Game Design is a book written by D. Brad Talton Jr, designer of BattleCON, Millennium Blades, Pixel Tactics, Dead by Daylight™: The Board Game, Exceed, and many more.
Each week, a new article is posted containing additional game design advice. Once this blog is complete, a physical edition will be available.
§ 4.2 - Strategies form by approximation.
If the game allows it, Players will form strategies. These strategies should not require excessive calculation to understand or evaluate.
§ 4.1 - Destructive choices are prevented.
A destructive choice is one that damages the player or the game in such a way that it can no longer continue normally.
§ 4.0 - No more than it needs to be.
Whatever else they are, strategy games are about victory.
§ 3.5 - Chance coexists with planning.
Randomness is not innately wrong, nor is it to be avoided.
§ 3.2 - The decision funnel expands.
A game’s decisions and mechanics should naturally lead to an increase in potential choices and strategies as the game goes on. At the start of the game, there are a few decisions to make and a few strategies open to players.
§ 3.1 - Returns balance against risks.
Risk and return are the key balances of an economy.
§ 3.0 - Economy is balanced and transparent.
Interesting play requires meaningful decisions. Meaningful decisions require a balanced economy and information to leverage that economy in order to pursue a strategy.
§ 2.8 - Moves relate to relevant skills.
The skills your game tests and the moves available to players must be aligned.
§ 2.7 - All players’ moves are apparent.
When all information is known, it should be clear what moves are available to each player. When there is some unknown information, it should be clear what moves are potentially available to each player.