Gameplay Loops Are Out, Chains Are In

Video Description

⚠️ Warning for flashing images. This is a video essay about how designers use visual and spatial metaphors to explain and plan for patterns in games. It discusses the concept of game loops, and action chains, and how these two concepts can be used together to help game developers create repetition, novelty, and meaning in play. 🏥 support IGC on Patreon to join our Discord, where you can get regular game design feedback, playtesting, and other types of community support: https://www.patreon.com/indiegameclinic 👀 Related Materials: Dan Cook's Essay on Value Chains: https://lostgarden.com/2021/12/12/value-chains/ "Concentric Game Loops" Explained with Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T2Ok650IGs&t=260s 🎮 Games Shown; Cosy Grove, Street Fighter, Spelunky, Fallout 4, CastleVania: SoTN, Blue Prince, 🎨 Additional Credits: Art assets in this video (knight coin and zombie pixelart animations) are from the game, Dungeon Delivered!, by Smithy Games. To learn more and download the game for free, visit: https://smithygames.com/dungeon-delivered/. Some music was from videogames, most of it was from my own library. Some of it was too loud. Sorry about that. ⏱️ Key Moments 00:00 game loops 00:51 how game design theory works 01:57 the limitations of game loops 02:50 chain type 1: chains of skill and action 04:03 chain type 2: chains of value and resources 06:38 chain type 3: chains of secrets 09:03 a heartfelt plea from a sick old man