Gaming doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, the best games are the ones that manage to keep things simple and appeal to everyone. Developers sometimes have a tendency to overdesign things or make things complicated for no reason. In most cases, this just leads to players not understanding things and getting confused. While there are some aspects of gaming that don’t always need to be simple, simplicity is often better in most areas of game development.
Take online casino games, for example. Games like Roulette are incredibly simple to play, which is why they’re so popular. Players place their bet on the table to predict the outcome and then watch the ball spin around the wheel. Wherever the ball lands will determine which bets are successful. As it’s so simple, anyone can play it without having to learn lots of complicated rules.
Simplicity in game design comes in a lot of different forms, including overall design and graphics, gameplay, music, features, access, and more. To make a good game stand out, it has to provide simplicity where it matters the most, making it easy to play and a lot of fun.
Simple Core Mechanics
The core gameplay mechanics are the single biggest factor in how enjoyable a game actually is to play. No matter what kind of game you’re playing, it has to have a gameplay loop at its core. This might be completing a level by shooting enemies or solving a puzzle by removing bridges. It may be to collect a certain number of items or to reach a certain level by finishing tasks. While all games have core mechanics, some are much easier to understand than others. The best games use a single mechanic and do it very well, leaving the player in little doubt over what they have to do to progress.
Simple Design
Modern games often use a lot of interesting design features and make use of increased processing power by delivering high-quality graphics. While it’s true that these games look impressive, sometimes simple is better. Great games don’t have to look amazing, as simple designs can still give players the gaming experience they’re looking for. Rather than opting for huge, open-world levels that leave the player lost and confused about where they go, a simple, linear level can make things much easier, for example.
Simple Payments
Some games, particularly those that are free to play, include in-game purchases. These can include special bonuses, cosmetic items and more. If you’re playing a gambling game, you’ll also need to be able to make payments. No matter what the payments are for, it’s important that they’re simple and easy to make. Players that find the payment system confusing or untrustworthy are unlikely to make a payment, lowering the revenue of the game. Support for a wide range of payment options is important, and many apps will charge the money directly to the player’s app account for simplicity.
Simple Access
Being able to access games easily is another important factor for developers to consider. The most popular games are those that are available on a wide range of platforms, including mobile, PC, laptops and games consoles. Developers that want to maximize the reach of their game should look to ensure it’s accessible on as many different platforms as possible. Not only that, but it should also be available to download through different sites and app stores. Being accessible is a big part of what makes a game successful, so it makes sense to simplify the process of downloading and playing the game. The easy it is to find, the more players will play it and enjoy it.
