Fateless Podcast Episode Recap: Balancing Complexity and Simplicity in Game Design
In this week’s episode of the Fateless Podcast, hosts Brad, Dirk, Paul, and special guest Veiled Shot delve into the intricate balance between complexity and simplicity in game design. The episode offers a rich discussion on how to craft games that are accessible for casual players yet engaging enough for hardcore enthusiasts.
Introduction of Veiled Shot
The episode kicks off with an introduction to Veiled Shot, a content creator known for his extensive coverage of various games. Veiled Shot expresses his excitement about the upcoming game and shares his passion for creating engaging content.
Balancing Accessibility and Depth
Paul starts the discussion by highlighting Raid: Shadow Legends as a game that strikes a commendable balance between being simple for beginners while offering depth for veteran players. He points out that while the game is easy to understand at a basic level, it also provides complex strategies for those who dive deeper, particularly in aspects like speed tuning and champion configurations.
Dirk and Brad both agree, noting that Raid’s gearing system avoids the overly simplistic auto-equip feature found in many other mobile games, instead encouraging players to make meaningful decisions about their champions’ gear.
Examples of Complexity and Simplicity
Dirk brings up Last Epoch as another example of a game that manages to strike this balance well. He contrasts it with Path of Exile (PoE), which is known for its overwhelming complexity. PoE’s intricate skill trees and deep mechanics can be daunting for new players, whereas Last Epoch introduces complexity gradually, allowing players to get a handle on the game before delving into more advanced systems.
Veiled Shot chimes in with his perspective on League of Legends (LoL), a game that he has played extensively. He praises LoL for its accessible entry point for new players, thanks to recommended builds and clear roles for each champion, while still offering a high skill ceiling for competitive play.
Challenges in Mobile Game Design
The conversation shifts to the unique challenges faced by mobile game designers. Paul discusses the issue of “death by a thousand game modes,” where games overwhelm players with too many options and activities too quickly. He critiques Raid: Shadow Legends for this, noting that while it introduces many game modes early on, it can lead to players feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to focus their efforts.
Brad suggests that gating content behind achievement thresholds could be a solution. For example, allowing players to access new content only after reaching certain milestones could ensure they are ready for the challenges ahead without feeling overwhelmed.
Complexity vs. Depth
Paul makes a distinction between complexity and depth, explaining that a game can be simple yet deep. He uses Raid: Shadow Legends’ Clan Boss as an example—while the mechanics are straightforward, the depth comes from the various strategies players can employ to maximize their damage.
In contrast, he describes the Hydra boss in Raid as complex but lacking in depth, as it often boils down to using a few specific champions and strategies, limiting player creativity.
Conclusion
As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on the importance of respecting players’ time and providing a balance between accessibility and depth. They agree that while it’s crucial to offer challenges that keep players engaged, it’s equally important not to overwhelm them with too much complexity too soon.
