How Power Impacts Gameplay

A numerical game design approach for progression and fairness

While playing games, players strive for victory through goals and objectives, which are determined by many factors. Skills, motivation, resources, practice, and, more important, power play a crucial role in this process. The comparison between these elements is an important game design activity to achieve a fair gameplay experience.

For a more general study, I argue that the term fair is more appropriate than the term balance since the latter can be more easily misinterpreted and might also be unwanted. Fair is meant in the sense that the players' experience is acceptable, moderate, or plausible. A fair gameplay experience is meant to be pleasant and engaging, even if it is not necessarily a balanced experience. Perfect balance can make the game feel bland and uninspiring, as all options might feel the same. As stated by Jeff Kaplan, the lead designer of Overwatch:

The perception of balance is more powerful than balance itself.

Many games can achieve a fair experience without resorting to many elements, mechanics, and rules. This does not mean they are simple games, but that they can be understood by studying fewer variables. A game of Checkers, for instance, has about 4 rules…