What are the most common mistakes game designers make when creating puzzles?.



1: Too easy or too hard

One of the most frequent complaints from players is that puzzles are either too easy or too hard. Too easy puzzles can make the game boring and unengaging, while too hard puzzles can frustrate and demotivate the player. The difficulty of a puzzle should match the intended audience, the genre, and the context of the game. A good way to balance the difficulty is to test the puzzles with different types of players, and get feedback on their satisfaction and frustration levels. You can also use clues, hints, and feedback mechanisms to help the player when they are stuck, or to increase the challenge when they are breezing through.

2 Mistake 2: Too obscure or too obvious

Another common mistake is to make the puzzles too obscure or too obvious. Too obscure puzzles rely on hidden or arbitrary information, logic, or actions that the player has no way of knowing or discovering. They can make the player feel cheated or confused, and break the immersion and coherence of the game world. Too obvious puzzles, on the other hand, are those that have a clear and simple solution that the player can figure out right away. They can make the player feel patronized or insulted, and reduce the sense of accomplishment and reward. A good way to avoid this mistake is to make the puzzles consistent with the game's theme, story, and mechanics, and to use visual, audio, and textual cues to guide the player without giving away the answer.

3: Too linear or too open- ended

A third common mistake is to make the puzzles too linear or too open-ended. Too linear puzzles are those that have only one possible solution and one possible path to reach it. They can make the game feel rigid and restrictive, and limit the player's agency and creativity. Too open-ended puzzles are those that have multiple solutions and paths, but no clear criteria or feedback to evaluate them. They can make the game feel vague and directionless, and confuse the player about their goals and progress. A good way to avoid this mistake is to design puzzles that have a balance between structure and freedom, and that allow for some flexibility and experimentation without losing focus and clarity.

Mistake 4: Too isolated or too integrated

A fourth common mistake is to make the puzzles too isolated or too integrated. Too isolated puzzles are those that have no connection or relevance to the rest of the game. They can make the game feel disjointed and random, and disrupt the flow and pace of the game. Too integrated puzzles are those that are so embedded in the game's systems and mechanics that they are not recognizable as puzzles. They can make the game feel monotonous and repetitive, and diminish the impact and reward of the puzzles. A good way to avoid this mistake is to design puzzles that have a purpose and a context in the game, and that provide some contrast and variety to the game's core gameplay.

Mistake 5: Too short or too long

A fifth common mistake is to make the puzzles too short or too long. Too short puzzles are those that can be solved in a matter of seconds or minutes, without requiring much thought or effort. They can make the game feel trivial and shallow, and undermine the value and satisfaction of the puzzles. Too long puzzles are those that can take hours or days to solve, without providing any checkpoints or milestones. They can make the game feel tedious and exhausting, and discourage the player from continuing or completing the game. A good way to avoid this mistake is to design puzzles that have a reasonable and appropriate length, and that provide some sense of progression and achievement.

6: Too similar or too different

A sixth common mistake is to make the puzzles too similar or too different. Too similar puzzles are those that use the same or similar elements, mechanics, or patterns over and over again. They can make the game feel stale and boring, and reduce the challenge and interest of the puzzles. Too different puzzles are those that introduce new or unfamiliar elements, mechanics, or patterns without any explanation or preparation. They can make the game feel inconsistent and chaotic, and overwhelm and confuse the player. A good way to avoid this mistake is to design puzzles that have a diversity and a coherence, and that introduce some novelty and variation without losing the identity and logic of the game.