7 Game Design Tips For New Developer

Great user experience (UX) is incredibly important to enjoyable gameplay. Menus and interfaces that are too difficult to navigate or are over- or under-designed can frustrate players. Your best bet is to keep things simple, intuitive, and consistent with the look and feel of your game. 

The hook of your game can be the story, the characters, the mechanics, even its aesthetic. The hook is the factor that endears your game to players. It's the thing that grabs, or "hooks," a player from the beginning and keeps them playing. 

As a video game designer, you need to understand what works in the gaming industry. If you plan to make money off of your craft, mass appeal needs to be a consideration. Designing your mechanics, characters, and levels with a viral quality is the best way to get scores of people playing your game. 

Your game's control scheme is related to user experience and impacts how efficiently and effortlessly players learn to play your game. Additionally, the controls determine the players' progression throughout the entirety of your game. 

There is nothing worse than playing a game where you feel disconnected or disadvantaged. Weapons that do not deal consistent or appropriate damage, levels that are visually confusing, enemy Al that presents no challenge - these are all issues that represent poor gameplay balance. 

Video game designers have plenty to do. Whether you're a solo dev or part of a large team, time management and organization are essential for keeping larger game projects on track.

Ready to go full businessperson mode? There's no way around it: marketing is essential. For people to play your game, they need to know it exists. Luckily, there are many easy ways to market your game. Using social media is one way, and it can be absolutely free.