Designing a game has been a wild ride full of learning and experimentation. Here are 10 things I’ve picked up from working on Blitz Creed and playing a ton of card games along the way.
1. Fun, fun and more fun
Fun is the most important aspect of any game. Every decision you make in the design process should ask should beg the question of whether it's fun. It’s not just about creating mechanics that work – it’s about making sure everything in the game maximises enjoyment.
During Blitz Creed’s design, I focused on ensuring that every action, every card and every move felt rewarding and exciting, keeping players hooked from start to finish.
2. Keep the Momentum Going from the Start
Players need to feel like they’re making progress from the very first turn. I realised that in the design of Blitz Creed, giving players early wins or opportunities for growth is crucial.
Even when players are still setting up their long-term strategies, they need to feel like they’re accomplishing something immediately. This keeps the game flowing and prevents players from feeling stuck or discouraged.
3. Minimise Downtime
There’s nothing worse than sitting around doing nothing while others play their turns. I found that keeping players engaged even when it’s not their turn is essential.
In Blitz Creed, I worked to give players something to think about or prepare for during the other players’ turns, whether it was planning their next moves or anticipating challenges from others. Keeping everyone involved creates a more dynamic and fun experience.
4. Stranger Playtesting is Essential
To find out if a game truly works, you need honest, unfiltered feedback. Blitz Creed went through several rounds of playtesting, where strangers learned the rules without me explaining them.
This was incredibly helpful for spotting flaws in the design and rules. Stranger playtesting is essential to understanding how new players interact with your game and ensuring your rules are clear and intuitive.
5. Clear & Concise Rulebook
Clear and concise rulebooks are often overlooked but are key to a game’s success. Writing rules for Blitz Creed taught me to keep things simple and avoid unnecessary exceptions.
If a rule is difficult to explain or causes confusion during play, it’s time to rethink it. I also made sure to include a player reference and example gameplay to help players during the game, ensuring they spend more time enjoying the game and less time flipping through the rulebook.
6. The First Playthrough
The first playthrough is crucial to a player’s experience with the game. During the design of Blitz Creed, I realised that the first game should feel approachable and easy to understand.
It’s important to help players ease into the game, so I focused on making the first play session smooth by simplifying complex aspects and allowing players to learn at their own pace. The goal is to make them want to play again, not feel overwhelmed or confused.
7. Balance is Key, Especially with Cards
Cards are a great way to add variety, but they need to be balanced. If some cards are clearly better than others or become useless at certain points, players can feel unlucky.
The goal is to make sure every card feels like a win when it’s drawn. Players should always feel like they have a chance.
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Stages Of Prototyping