Video games challenge us in the best ways. A game’s difficulty can make or break a player’s experience and ultimately determine if a game is enjoyable or frustrating. With the rise of human computation games, video game designers are constantly pushing to create new mechanics that challenge players in different ways.
Different players have different skill levels which makes the mechanics of the games more complex. Some players might be skilled in action games while others excel at puzzle games. It is the game designer’s responsibility to create a balance between challenge and accessibility for all types of players.
In this article, we’ll discuss how the game’s difficulty curve can be adjusted to cater to different skill levels and how it can enhance the overall gaming experience.
What Is Game Difficulty Curve Adjustment?
Simply put, the difficulty of the game should gradually increase as the player progresses through the levels. This process is called “game difficulty curve adjustment.” It involves analyzing the player’s skill level, their performance in the game, and adjusting the level difficulty accordingly.
The design goals for game difficulty curve adjustment include creating a challenging but enjoyable gaming experience, keeping players engaged and motivated, providing a sense of progression and achievement, and avoiding frustration or boredom. The flow state (brought to the public’ attention bymihaly csikszentmihalyi) is a psychological state in which players are fully immersed and engaged in the game, and maintaining this state is a key aspect of successful game design.
By enhancing the player experience through the optimal difficulty curve, game developers can improve player retention and satisfaction. This is especially important for Web3 games, where tangible value tied to blockchain technology is on the line. Digital assets can bring a sense of ownership but it also gives players something to lose, beyond the game itself. That’s why it’s crucial to find the right balance between challenge and enjoyment in game difficulty.
Discovering The Optimal Difficulty Curve
It can be a real challenge to find the perfect level of difficulty within your game mechanics. The first time playing a game could be overwhelming for some players, while others might find it too easy. That’s why play-testing is crucial for adjusting and fine-tuning the difficulty curve.
During play-testing, developers can gather feedback from players and observe their play styles. The entire game is put to the test with various play-throughs, allowing developers to identify areas that need improvement or balancing. This process can also help determine if certain levels or challenges are too difficult or too easy for players.
Imagine boss fights in a game that are too difficult for players to defeat. This can lead to frustration and ultimately, players may give up on the game entirely. On the other hand, if the bosses are too easy, players may become bored and lose interest.
So, how can the difficulty curve of a game be better optimized? With Helika, you can get a better sense of difficulty design as analytics are made clear. As the leading Web3 game analytics companies, Helika collects gameplay data and helps top publishers with their data visualization, providing valuable insights to improve the overall game experience for players.
Micro-challenges can also be put into place to re-engage players who find the game too difficult or too easy. These mini-games can serve as a break from the main gameplay, allowing players to gain more experience and skills that will help them progress in the game. So, the difficulty of a game can be dynamic with multiple levels of challenges, catering to different types of players.
Mapping Out The Player’s Journey
A smooth difficulty curve has a starting point and is tracked throughout the player’s journey. This can be achieved by gradually introducing new concepts, mechanics, and challenges as players progress through the game. Knowing the player base and their skill level is crucial in creating a well-paced difficulty curve.
Helika’s analytics platform can track player behavior and help identify points of frustration or engagement, allowing developers to make necessary changes to the difficulty curve. This data-driven approach ensures that the game remains challenging but not overwhelming for players. WIth milestone metrics tracked alongside player progression, developers can adjust the difficulty curve to keep players engaged and motivated.
With this advanced analytics, the player skill can be identified and as a result, player engagement can improve. By visually seeing the number of levels in your entire game, possible solutions for better difficulty adjustments can arise. Game difficulty curves can be a multi-layered approach, catering to the different skill levels of players.
As such, difficulty adjustments should be a continuous process, constantly monitored and tweaked to ensure the best player experience. This not only keeps players engaged but can also attract new players who are looking for a challenging and rewarding gaming experience.
Best Practices For The Optimal Difficulty Level
The first thing you can do as a game developer is include different difficulty settings that can be adjusted by the player. This allows players to tailor their experience according to their skill level and provides a more personalized gaming experience. However, as the game progresses, each difficulty setting should still increase as the player improves, maintaining a sense of progression and challenge.
Another important aspect is to provide feedback and guidance to players, especially in more difficult sections of the game. This can be in the form of tutorials, tips, or visual cues that help players understand how to overcome challenges. This not only helps them improve their skills but also keeps them engaged and motivated to continue playing.
In addition, it’s important for game developers to constantly gather feedback and data on how in-game items make the game easier or harder. If a player buys an NFT for example that makes it just too easy to beat a boss, this could lead to boredom and disengagement. You might get the sale as a game developer with such an enticing in-game asset, but you may lose player retention in the long run. Therefore, it’s important to strike a delicate balance between in-game items and difficulty levels.
Lastly, game developers should also consider implementing dynamic difficulty adjustment systems. This means that the game automatically adjusts its difficulty based on the player’s performance and progress. The better they do, the more challenging the game becomes, and vice versa. This creates a more fluid and personalized gaming experience for players, making them feel like the game is tailored just for them.
Matchmaking in multiplayer games is an example of how dynamic difficulty adjustment is already being used. Players are often matched with opponents of similar skill levels to ensure a more fair and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. This not only makes the game more fun, but also keeps players from getting discouraged or frustrated.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many factors to consider when creating a successful video game. From incorporating engaging gameplay mechanics and storytelling to utilizing the power of in-game items and adapting difficulty levels, game developers must constantly strive to strike a balance and keep players entertained. It’s an ever-evolving process, and Helika as your analytics partner can help you stay on top of player preferences and behavior to continuously improve your game.
Feel free to explore our other resources and services to see how Helika can assist you in creating the ultimate gaming experience for your players. Web3 games are the future, and we are excited to be a part of it. Whether we end up partnering together or not, we’d still love to learn more about your game and offer our insights and expertise.
