What makes a game addictive? 🎮
Every game is like a puzzle, and the player’s brain loves figuring it out. But it’s not just any puzzle—it’s one that keeps unlocking dopamine with every small win.
Think of games like a well-tuned musical instrument, where every action strikes a note that resonates perfectly.
The key? Make players feel like they’re constantly improving.
👉🏻Mastery, progression, and reward: the holy trinity of game addiction.
Every game is like a puzzle, and the player’s brain loves figuring it out. But it’s not just any puzzle—it’s one that keeps unlocking dopamine with every small win.
Think of games like a well-tuned musical instrument, where every action strikes a note that resonates perfectly.
The key? Make players feel like they’re constantly improving.
👉🏻Mastery, progression, and reward: the holy trinity of game addiction.
💢 WHY STORYTELLING MATTERS IN GAMES 💢
In video games, the player isn’t just an audience - they are the star of the show. When done right, storytelling in games is not just about giving the player a script to follow. It is about making them live the story. It’s the ultimate form of immersion. Imagine you’re not just watching a movie - you’re the main character, and your choices shape how the plot unfolds. That’s the power of storytelling in games.
This is why stories in games like The Witcher 3 or The Last of Us resonate so deeply with players. The narrative isn’t just a backdrop, it’s a driving force that pulls the player deeper into the game world. Players don’t just control the character - they are the character. Every decision feels weighty, and every outcome feels personal.
Creating that sense of immersion is like crafting a choose-your-own-adventure book, but with endless possibilities. The player isn’t just reading a story, they’re living it, making choices that change the course of events. Great storytelling in games means creating worlds that feel alive, where the player feels like their actions truly matter.
In video games, the player isn’t just an audience - they are the star of the show. When done right, storytelling in games is not just about giving the player a script to follow. It is about making them live the story. It’s the ultimate form of immersion. Imagine you’re not just watching a movie - you’re the main character, and your choices shape how the plot unfolds. That’s the power of storytelling in games.
This is why stories in games like The Witcher 3 or The Last of Us resonate so deeply with players. The narrative isn’t just a backdrop, it’s a driving force that pulls the player deeper into the game world. Players don’t just control the character - they are the character. Every decision feels weighty, and every outcome feels personal.
Creating that sense of immersion is like crafting a choose-your-own-adventure book, but with endless possibilities. The player isn’t just reading a story, they’re living it, making choices that change the course of events. Great storytelling in games means creating worlds that feel alive, where the player feels like their actions truly matter.
💢 BREAKING DOWN DIFFICULTY LEVELS 💢
Balancing difficulty in games is like training for a marathon. If the hurdles are too high, the player gets frustrated and quits. If they’re too low, they get bored and lose interest. The sweet spot is somewhere in between, where the player feels challenged but also capable of overcoming obstacles. This is the art of creating a game that’s both fun and rewarding.
Think of difficulty levels like a well-designed obstacle course. Some players are marathon runners, eager for the challenge. Others are just starting, and they need encouragement. You can’t design the same experience for both groups. That’s where well-balanced difficulty comes in. Games like Dark Souls have become famous (or infamous) for their difficulty, but it’s a difficulty that feels fair. Every failure teaches the player something new, pushing them to try again.
The real trick is making the player feel like they’re on the edge of frustration, but always giving them the tools to succeed. When they finally overcome that obstacle, it’s pure joy. That’s the magic of perfectly balanced difficulty.
Balancing difficulty in games is like training for a marathon. If the hurdles are too high, the player gets frustrated and quits. If they’re too low, they get bored and lose interest. The sweet spot is somewhere in between, where the player feels challenged but also capable of overcoming obstacles. This is the art of creating a game that’s both fun and rewarding.
Think of difficulty levels like a well-designed obstacle course. Some players are marathon runners, eager for the challenge. Others are just starting, and they need encouragement. You can’t design the same experience for both groups. That’s where well-balanced difficulty comes in. Games like Dark Souls have become famous (or infamous) for their difficulty, but it’s a difficulty that feels fair. Every failure teaches the player something new, pushing them to try again.
The real trick is making the player feel like they’re on the edge of frustration, but always giving them the tools to succeed. When they finally overcome that obstacle, it’s pure joy. That’s the magic of perfectly balanced difficulty.
💢 HOW TO SCALE A GAME: IT'S LIKE GROWING A STARTUP 💢
Scaling a game from a small beta test to millions of players is a lot like growing a startup. At first, it’s all about getting your first few users—your early adopters—who help you refine your product. But once you hit a certain level of popularity, everything changes. Suddenly, you’re dealing with huge demands for server space, new content, more features, and constant bug fixes. It’s like taking a small local coffee shop and turning it into a global franchise.
The key to scaling successfully is in the planning. You can’t just flip a switch and expect everything to work perfectly. You need to know when to expand and how to do it without overextending yourself. Games like Fortnite and Among Us exploded seemingly overnight, but behind the scenes, there were massive efforts to ensure they could handle the flood of new players.
Think of it like moving from a small house to a skyscraper. The foundation has to be strong, and every new floor you add needs to be carefully planned out. Scale too fast without the infrastructure, and everything crumbles. That’s why growing a game is a lot like scaling a startup - you need to grow at the right pace, making sure your servers, content, and player experience can keep up.
Scaling a game from a small beta test to millions of players is a lot like growing a startup. At first, it’s all about getting your first few users—your early adopters—who help you refine your product. But once you hit a certain level of popularity, everything changes. Suddenly, you’re dealing with huge demands for server space, new content, more features, and constant bug fixes. It’s like taking a small local coffee shop and turning it into a global franchise.
The key to scaling successfully is in the planning. You can’t just flip a switch and expect everything to work perfectly. You need to know when to expand and how to do it without overextending yourself. Games like Fortnite and Among Us exploded seemingly overnight, but behind the scenes, there were massive efforts to ensure they could handle the flood of new players.
Think of it like moving from a small house to a skyscraper. The foundation has to be strong, and every new floor you add needs to be carefully planned out. Scale too fast without the infrastructure, and everything crumbles. That’s why growing a game is a lot like scaling a startup - you need to grow at the right pace, making sure your servers, content, and player experience can keep up.
💢 SERVER INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ONLINE GAMES 💢
Imagine your online game server as a hotel. Every player is like a guest, and you need enough rooms to host everyone comfortably. But here’s the thing—if too many players show up at once and you’re not prepared, chaos breaks out. Players get frustrated, disconnect, and leave bad reviews. That’s why having a solid server infrastructure is so important.
The trick is predicting when more guests will arrive. You need to have enough rooms ready at peak times, like a hotel preparing for a holiday rush. This is where cloud-based servers come in. They allow you to scale your game’s capacity based on demand. When the game gets more popular, you can quickly add more server space to accommodate the influx of players.
Think of it like a hotel manager who’s always one step ahead, ensuring there’s never a line at check-in. A game without proper server infrastructure is like a hotel that ran out of rooms during peak season - a recipe for disaster. Planning ahead and scaling your server capacity to match player growth is key to keeping your players happy and your game running smoothly.
Imagine your online game server as a hotel. Every player is like a guest, and you need enough rooms to host everyone comfortably. But here’s the thing—if too many players show up at once and you’re not prepared, chaos breaks out. Players get frustrated, disconnect, and leave bad reviews. That’s why having a solid server infrastructure is so important.
The trick is predicting when more guests will arrive. You need to have enough rooms ready at peak times, like a hotel preparing for a holiday rush. This is where cloud-based servers come in. They allow you to scale your game’s capacity based on demand. When the game gets more popular, you can quickly add more server space to accommodate the influx of players.
Think of it like a hotel manager who’s always one step ahead, ensuring there’s never a line at check-in. A game without proper server infrastructure is like a hotel that ran out of rooms during peak season - a recipe for disaster. Planning ahead and scaling your server capacity to match player growth is key to keeping your players happy and your game running smoothly.
💢 SCALING USER BASES: FROM BETA TO MILLIONS 💢
Launching a game is like opening a small coffee shop. Your beta testers are your first customers, and their feedback helps you refine your product. But then, something amazing happens- word spreads, and suddenly that little coffee shop is turning into a global franchise. The challenge now is keeping up with the demand.
This is where careful planning comes into play. If you don’t scale properly, things can fall apart quickly. You need to maintain quality as you grow, ensuring that each new player has the same great experience as your early testers. It’s like brewing the perfect cup of coffee - you don’t want it to taste watered down just because you’re serving a million cups instead of a hundred.
Successful games like Minecraft started with a small, passionate player base, but over time, they scaled to millions without losing what made them special. The key is listening to your players and adapting to their needs as the game grows. Whether it’s adding new features or upgrading servers, scaling a game is all about being prepared for that moment when your small shop becomes the hottest spot in town.
Launching a game is like opening a small coffee shop. Your beta testers are your first customers, and their feedback helps you refine your product. But then, something amazing happens- word spreads, and suddenly that little coffee shop is turning into a global franchise. The challenge now is keeping up with the demand.
This is where careful planning comes into play. If you don’t scale properly, things can fall apart quickly. You need to maintain quality as you grow, ensuring that each new player has the same great experience as your early testers. It’s like brewing the perfect cup of coffee - you don’t want it to taste watered down just because you’re serving a million cups instead of a hundred.
Successful games like Minecraft started with a small, passionate player base, but over time, they scaled to millions without losing what made them special. The key is listening to your players and adapting to their needs as the game grows. Whether it’s adding new features or upgrading servers, scaling a game is all about being prepared for that moment when your small shop becomes the hottest spot in town.
💢 HOW TO LEVERAGE GAME DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE 💢
Game development conferences aren’t just about cool demos and big reveals—they’re an essential tool for networking and growth. But here’s the secret: the real magic happens outside the big presentations. Networking is where you can make those connections that push your projects forward.
Think of it as navigating a massive bazaar. You’ve got to know who to talk to, what to say, and how to follow up. Whether you’re attending in person or connecting virtually, having a solid strategy in place can be game-changing. Make a list of who you want to meet, whether it's indie devs, publishers, or tech providers.
Conferences like GDC or E3 aren’t just for the AAA studios either. Indie developers have a massive presence, and this is your chance to learn from their innovative ideas. It’s like a treasure hunt—you never know where you’ll find your next big inspiration.
Game development conferences aren’t just about cool demos and big reveals—they’re an essential tool for networking and growth. But here’s the secret: the real magic happens outside the big presentations. Networking is where you can make those connections that push your projects forward.
Think of it as navigating a massive bazaar. You’ve got to know who to talk to, what to say, and how to follow up. Whether you’re attending in person or connecting virtually, having a solid strategy in place can be game-changing. Make a list of who you want to meet, whether it's indie devs, publishers, or tech providers.
Conferences like GDC or E3 aren’t just for the AAA studios either. Indie developers have a massive presence, and this is your chance to learn from their innovative ideas. It’s like a treasure hunt—you never know where you’ll find your next big inspiration.
💢 THE EVOLUTION OF GAME DEVELOPMENT TRENDS IN 2025 💢
As we enter 2025, several trends are set to dominate the game development scene. AI, cloud gaming, and VR are more than just buzzwords - they’re transforming how we create and play games. Let’s dive into what the next year holds for these cutting-edge technologies.
AI is poised to reshape game development in ways we haven’t fully grasped yet. Beyond procedural generation, imagine AI dynamically altering gameplay based on player behavior. This means more personalized gaming experiences, where the game evolves based on how you play. It’s the future of adaptive storytelling.
Cloud gaming is set to revolutionize access. By 2025, we could see cloud gaming platforms offering a lag-free experience that rivals traditional consoles and PCs. This opens the door to gaming for a much wider audience, where even the most graphics-heavy titles can be played on low-end devices.
And VR? We’ve been talking about its potential for years, but in 2025, it’s expected to hit new highs. Multiplayer VR experiences that feel truly immersive will likely define the next generation of games, and if you’re in game development, now’s the time to start thinking about how to harness these tools.
As we enter 2025, several trends are set to dominate the game development scene. AI, cloud gaming, and VR are more than just buzzwords - they’re transforming how we create and play games. Let’s dive into what the next year holds for these cutting-edge technologies.
AI is poised to reshape game development in ways we haven’t fully grasped yet. Beyond procedural generation, imagine AI dynamically altering gameplay based on player behavior. This means more personalized gaming experiences, where the game evolves based on how you play. It’s the future of adaptive storytelling.
Cloud gaming is set to revolutionize access. By 2025, we could see cloud gaming platforms offering a lag-free experience that rivals traditional consoles and PCs. This opens the door to gaming for a much wider audience, where even the most graphics-heavy titles can be played on low-end devices.
And VR? We’ve been talking about its potential for years, but in 2025, it’s expected to hit new highs. Multiplayer VR experiences that feel truly immersive will likely define the next generation of games, and if you’re in game development, now’s the time to start thinking about how to harness these tools.
💢 HOW TO FIX GAME MECHANICS THAT DON'T WORK 💢
You’ve put your heart and soul into your game, but one mechanic just isn’t landing. Players are either confused or flat-out ignoring it. This can be one of the most frustrating parts of game development, but it’s also an opportunity to refine your design.
The first step is to diagnose the issue. Is the mechanic overly complicated, or does it break the flow of the game? Sometimes mechanics that sound great on paper fail in practice because they don’t feel intuitive to players. A good way to isolate the problem is through playtesting - watch how players interact with the mechanic and take note of where they get stuck or disengage.
Once you’ve identified the root cause, don’t be afraid to go back to the drawing board. Sometimes a tweak is all you need, like simplifying inputs or adjusting difficulty. Other times, you may need a complete overhaul. The goal is always to make sure the mechanic enhances the player’s experience, not frustrates it. Remember, even the best developers have to scrap and rework parts of their games - think of it as part of the creative process.
You’ve put your heart and soul into your game, but one mechanic just isn’t landing. Players are either confused or flat-out ignoring it. This can be one of the most frustrating parts of game development, but it’s also an opportunity to refine your design.
The first step is to diagnose the issue. Is the mechanic overly complicated, or does it break the flow of the game? Sometimes mechanics that sound great on paper fail in practice because they don’t feel intuitive to players. A good way to isolate the problem is through playtesting - watch how players interact with the mechanic and take note of where they get stuck or disengage.
Once you’ve identified the root cause, don’t be afraid to go back to the drawing board. Sometimes a tweak is all you need, like simplifying inputs or adjusting difficulty. Other times, you may need a complete overhaul. The goal is always to make sure the mechanic enhances the player’s experience, not frustrates it. Remember, even the best developers have to scrap and rework parts of their games - think of it as part of the creative process.
CREATING CHARACTERS PLAYERS LOVE 🧡
When you think about your favorite games, chances are it’s not just the gameplay you remember, but the characters. From Master Chief to Aloy, iconic characters stay with players long after the credits roll. But how do you create a character that resonates with your audience?
The key to designing characters players love is to give them depth. Don’t just think about how they look or what abilities they have-think about their backstory, motivations, and personality. Players connect with characters who feel real, even in fantastical settings. Whether your character is a space marine or a magical being, they should have traits that make them relatable. Flaws, fears, and growth arcs give characters emotional weight and make them feel more human.
Also, consider how your character fits into the world you’ve created. Their design should reflect the game’s art style and mechanics. A well-designed character not only looks cool but feels like an integral part of the game world.
When you think about your favorite games, chances are it’s not just the gameplay you remember, but the characters. From Master Chief to Aloy, iconic characters stay with players long after the credits roll. But how do you create a character that resonates with your audience?
The key to designing characters players love is to give them depth. Don’t just think about how they look or what abilities they have-think about their backstory, motivations, and personality. Players connect with characters who feel real, even in fantastical settings. Whether your character is a space marine or a magical being, they should have traits that make them relatable. Flaws, fears, and growth arcs give characters emotional weight and make them feel more human.
Also, consider how your character fits into the world you’ve created. Their design should reflect the game’s art style and mechanics. A well-designed character not only looks cool but feels like an integral part of the game world.
💢 WHEN ART & GAMEPLAY COLLIDE 💢
In game development, there’s often a tension between art and gameplay. You’ve created stunning visuals, but if they interfere with the mechanics, they can frustrate players. It’s like designing a gorgeous car that no one can drive. The challenge is finding a balance where the art enhances the gameplay rather than detracting from it.
A great example of this is Hollow Knight. Its hand-drawn art style is breathtaking, but it never distracts from the gameplay—it complements it. Every visual cue serves the mechanics, from the way enemies telegraph their attacks to how the environment guides the player. The art serves the gameplay, not the other way around.
When developing your own game, ask yourself: does the art serve the experience, or does it get in the way? If players are too focused on visuals and missing important mechanics, it might be time to rethink the balance. The best games are those where art and gameplay are so intertwined that they create a seamless experience.
In game development, there’s often a tension between art and gameplay. You’ve created stunning visuals, but if they interfere with the mechanics, they can frustrate players. It’s like designing a gorgeous car that no one can drive. The challenge is finding a balance where the art enhances the gameplay rather than detracting from it.
A great example of this is Hollow Knight. Its hand-drawn art style is breathtaking, but it never distracts from the gameplay—it complements it. Every visual cue serves the mechanics, from the way enemies telegraph their attacks to how the environment guides the player. The art serves the gameplay, not the other way around.
When developing your own game, ask yourself: does the art serve the experience, or does it get in the way? If players are too focused on visuals and missing important mechanics, it might be time to rethink the balance. The best games are those where art and gameplay are so intertwined that they create a seamless experience.
💢 THE FUN OF GAME DEV MEMES 💢
If you’ve been part of the game development community for even a short while, you’ve probably laughed at more than a few game dev memes. They perfectly capture the daily frustrations, triumphs, and absurdities of building games. Whether it’s a meme about finding bugs minutes before a launch or the never-ending cycle of ‘just one more feature,’ memes are a fun way to bring developers together.
But memes are more than just a laugh—they’re a way to connect with the community. Sharing memes creates a sense of shared experience, helping developers feel less alone in the chaos of game development. After all, sometimes you just need to laugh at the absurdity of spending hours fixing a bug that turns out to be a misplaced semicolon.
So next time you see a game dev meme that hits a little too close to home, share it with your community. It’s not just about the humor—it’s about building connections and fostering engagement. Plus, who doesn’t need a little comic relief in the midst of crunch time?
If you’ve been part of the game development community for even a short while, you’ve probably laughed at more than a few game dev memes. They perfectly capture the daily frustrations, triumphs, and absurdities of building games. Whether it’s a meme about finding bugs minutes before a launch or the never-ending cycle of ‘just one more feature,’ memes are a fun way to bring developers together.
But memes are more than just a laugh—they’re a way to connect with the community. Sharing memes creates a sense of shared experience, helping developers feel less alone in the chaos of game development. After all, sometimes you just need to laugh at the absurdity of spending hours fixing a bug that turns out to be a misplaced semicolon.
So next time you see a game dev meme that hits a little too close to home, share it with your community. It’s not just about the humor—it’s about building connections and fostering engagement. Plus, who doesn’t need a little comic relief in the midst of crunch time?
🔥 THE HEAT MAP OF DEATH: WHERE DO YOU LOSE YOUR PLAYERS?
Hey there, folks!
Familiar situation? Your game seems awesome, mechanics polished to perfection, features in place, but players somehow vanish after 2-3 days... All because they LITERALLY CAN'T FIND THE "CONTINUE" BUTTON 🤦🏻♀️
UI pain points you probably haven't even considered:
▪️ "Blind spots" — 83% of players have their thumb covering the bottom right corner of the screen. Guess where you put your main action button? 🎯
▪️ Phantom gestures — your testers know they need to swipe down to open the menu. But newbies DON'T DO THAT. And they'll never discover 80% of your game's features.
▪️ Text walls — it's 2025, dude. If your tutorial is longer than three sentences, nobody reads it. Like, nobody. At all.
50 shades of gray — when all your buttons are the same color and size, players can't tell what's important and what's not. When everything screams, nothing is heard.
What the interface heat map reveals
I recently analyzed data for a hyper-casual game with 2M DAU. Shocking content: 68% of players were tapping on inactive screen areas trying to find the store. It was hidden three clicks away from the main screen!
Second scenario: it looks tappable, but nothing happens when players tap. They delete your game and give you a 1-star review in the store 💀
Three quick fixes you can implement right now:
✅ Different colors = different actions. Red for purchases, green for progress, blue for information. Basic, but effective.
✅ The thumb rule. Place critical elements within thumb reach (center-bottom for right-handed users).
✅ Visual hierarchy. Most important action = biggest and most noticeable button on screen. Like in Candy Crush — their "PLAY" button takes up half the screen, and it works!
Advanced bonus hack:
Force your PO/CEO to play the game WITHOUT A SINGLE WORD OF INSTRUCTION. Just hand them the phone and say: "Play." Then record and analyze where they get stuck and what they tap. Best UX test in the world that almost nobody does.
Ready to level up your mobile game design skills? Join the waiting list for my comprehensive Game Product Management course (link below).
#gamedev #uxdesign #mobileGames #gamedesign #failurelessons
Hey there, folks!
Familiar situation? Your game seems awesome, mechanics polished to perfection, features in place, but players somehow vanish after 2-3 days... All because they LITERALLY CAN'T FIND THE "CONTINUE" BUTTON 🤦🏻♀️
UI pain points you probably haven't even considered:
▪️ "Blind spots" — 83% of players have their thumb covering the bottom right corner of the screen. Guess where you put your main action button? 🎯
▪️ Phantom gestures — your testers know they need to swipe down to open the menu. But newbies DON'T DO THAT. And they'll never discover 80% of your game's features.
▪️ Text walls — it's 2025, dude. If your tutorial is longer than three sentences, nobody reads it. Like, nobody. At all.
50 shades of gray — when all your buttons are the same color and size, players can't tell what's important and what's not. When everything screams, nothing is heard.
What the interface heat map reveals
I recently analyzed data for a hyper-casual game with 2M DAU. Shocking content: 68% of players were tapping on inactive screen areas trying to find the store. It was hidden three clicks away from the main screen!
Second scenario: it looks tappable, but nothing happens when players tap. They delete your game and give you a 1-star review in the store 💀
Three quick fixes you can implement right now:
✅ Different colors = different actions. Red for purchases, green for progress, blue for information. Basic, but effective.
✅ The thumb rule. Place critical elements within thumb reach (center-bottom for right-handed users).
✅ Visual hierarchy. Most important action = biggest and most noticeable button on screen. Like in Candy Crush — their "PLAY" button takes up half the screen, and it works!
Advanced bonus hack:
Force your PO/CEO to play the game WITHOUT A SINGLE WORD OF INSTRUCTION. Just hand them the phone and say: "Play." Then record and analyze where they get stuck and what they tap. Best UX test in the world that almost nobody does.
Ready to level up your mobile game design skills? Join the waiting list for my comprehensive Game Product Management course (link below).
#gamedev #uxdesign #mobileGames #gamedesign #failurelessons