Level Up.pdf

Level 10’s Universal Truths and Clever Ideas 279
• That said, the threat of death is a great motivator for the player to do
better and learn that skill or control. Just use this power judiciously,
okay? I trust you.
• If using alternate death systems, like the player dies if their NPC partner
dies, make it clear that (a) the player needs to protect the partner
character with their lives and (b) they will die if they don ’ t.
Think very carefully about using lives in your game. If you don ’ t think killing
the player will make the game experience better or more exciting, or think it
will actually be more frustrating, then don ’ t do it. Because this very
important thing applies:
YOU WANT TO KEEP THEM PLAYING
Never give the player a good reason to stop. Once you ’ ve lost them, you
may never get them back. Instead of a game over screen, why not create a
“ keep going ” screen? When the player dies or leave the game, show them
a preview of the next level, the next story point or the next treasure item,
weapon or powerup? Give the player a sneak peek to get them so excited
that they won ’ t want to stop playing!
Now stick close, we ’ re moving into dangerous territory in the next level: one
populated by hordes of enemies!
Level 10 ’ s Universal Truths and Clever Ideas:
• Be mindful of ESRB guidelines when creating violent
gameplay.
• Violence is all about context: a violent act is going to
feel more violent if it is the player who does it.
• Give your character a signature attack or weapon.
• Create an attack matrix to track your combat moves and
reactions.
• People want to play games that make them look cool.
• Use a lock - on system to enable the player during combat.
• Close battles are more exciting.