How does it feel when you are playing a game and visuals are amazing, but as you start the gameplay, the game suddenly feels like it’s too hard to beat or too easy to play? Have you ever encountered this problem? I am sure you have. We call this situation an “unbalanced game”.
In recent years, games have seen massive adaptation by the gaming communities due to affordable gaming setups. Players are enjoying the new era of gaming, and this has also brought a new chapter, known as game balancing. Players love games that offer a perfect mix of engagement, game mechanics, rules, levels, and animations.
A game with balanced gameplay—across its levels, mechanics, rules, and controls—consistently remains a player favorite. Conversely, if gameplay is excessively difficult, players quickly become frustrated and abandon it; similarly, if it’s too easy, they rapidly lose interest and get bored.
Whether you are an inspired game developer who is just starting or someone who is facing problems in retaining players, the best way to establish a well-performing game is by focusing on game balancing. It’s your winning formula for retaining your players for longer hours and keeping them entertained as long as you can.
Key Fact: 70% of gamers say that fairness influences their loyalty.
So why is game balancing so important in game development? In this guide, we’ll understand the core concept of game balancing, misconceptions, and tips on how to do it right.
To learn deeply about the game balancing concept, consulting with a game development company like Orion InfoSolutions will give further clarity.
What is Game Balance?
At its core, game balance is a practice of changing the values of a game elements to allow players to have a more enjoyable and balanced experience throughout the gameplay. This comprehensive process includes several aspects like tuning every definable feature, such as character skills, enemy health, economic systems, and resource allocation, to ensure that the game is fair, the players are interested, and no one strategy or element is dominating the gameplay.
One could also liken it to a symphony orchestra: for the music to sound beautiful, each instrument must be perfectly tuned and played in harmony. If one instrument is too loud or too soft, the entire piece is off. Similarly, in games, the balance ensures that the difficulties are appropriate, the rewards are satisfying, and each player is sure that their decisions and skills have truly influenced the result.
Why It’s Important for Game Developers?
The point behind balancing the game is to attract players as long as possible, which consequently leads to an increase in players’ lifetime value. Game balancing is necessary for developers who are in the position to deliver an engaging experience through their games. A well-balanced game assures that every player, irrespective of the skill level, can have fun with the content provided.
When players feel that they are challenged, but still not too much, then they become more inclined to put in the time and effort necessary to master the game. This situation builds up a loyal fan base that goes on to thank the developer’s commitment to quality.
Furthermore, balanced gameplay is the environment in which the excitement of competition among the players can be fostered. It makes it possible for players not only to demonstrate their skills but also to do so without having to think about feeling disadvantaged if there are overpowered characters or abilities.
Developers, thus, are on the good side too, this time from the positive word-of-mouth if their games are well-balanced and in this way have worked out the best possible way to attract the gamers. Happy gamers are those who do not keep their stories secret but share them with others.
Common Misconceptions About Game Balancing
Before we go any further, let’s clear some misconceptions related to the terms game balancing first:
Perfectly balanced games are boring
Many people wrongly believe this notion. Balance does not have to mean that all characters are the same or that the game lacks a distinct character. It means that the matchups are fair and viable strategies exist without one being overwhelmingly superior. A balanced game can instantly become very dynamic and interesting, often more so because diverse strategies are encouraged.
Balance is only about numbers and spreadsheets
Undoubtedly, data and mathematics are vital tools; however, game balancing is not only a quantitative task. It significantly implicates qualitative factors such as the player’s perception, emotional reaction, and the overall “feel” of the game. Often, intuition and playtesting are more invaluable than raw numbers, especially at the beginning of the development.
Balance means everything should be equal
This is also a big misconception about the game’s balancing. An asymmetrical balance scenario, where different characters or factions have distinct strengths and weaknesses (e.g., Rock, Paper, Scissors), is typically more attractive than perfectly symmetrical ones. The objective is not equality but rather interesting choices and a fair chance to win, no matter what path the player has decided to follow.
Once balanced, always balanced
The situation of a game being balanced is temporary. Player meta-strategies change, new content is released, and unexpected exploits might appear. Continuous tracking, receiving feedback, and making changes (patches and updates) are critical to keep a game balanced during its lifespan.
Game Balance Philosophy
Game balance is not only about adjusting the figures properly, but it also ensures that the game maintains the fun, fairness, and excitement aspects, which are essential for the players. A “balance philosophy” in the course of a game’s development is a concept that the developers have in mind about how they want the game to be perceived. It is the main factor that determines their choice of the most appropriate solution for the integration of the different parts.
To begin with, fun is the most essential aspect. Although a game is perfectly balanced, it may be dull and therefore, no one will want to play it. People will have fun while using different characters, abilities, or weapons. Each thing should be the source of a unique and satisfactory experience.
Gamers are the ones who desire that their decisions are significant. The fact that they choose a sneaky character or a strong one should only make them realize that this decision changes the way they play the game. If all options are similar, it kills the fun of experimentation.
Moreover, a balanced game provides players with several victory paths. It introduces new and interesting elements to the game, thus keeping it fresh. Alternatively, if a single strategy dominates the game, suddenly everyone is doing the same, and the novelty factor quickly disappears. A good balance trait is that it makes players want to experiment and find their style.
Challenge is equally significant; however, it must be perceived as fair. People would like to be in a position to gain their victories, rather than feel that they won or lost due to pure luck or exploited game mechanics. When the balance is done properly, players feel that they have achieved something if they get better at the game.
In addition, in online or constantly changing games, the style of gaming changes as time passes. Developers need to be highly aware of what strategies become too dominant and correct the problem to ensure that the game remains fun for everyone.
How Do You Balance Your Game?
Balancing a game is not some magic. It’s a comprehensive process of testing, tuning, and repeating so that gameplay feels more balanced. Here is a step-by-step process of balancing your game:
- Define the Design Goals: What kind of experience do you want to create? For example, could it be casual fun or hardcore competitive?
- Identify Core Systems and Mechanics: List the most important gameplay elements.
- Create Metrics for Success: Different factors, such as win/loss ratios, time-to-complete, and player retention, can be used to measure balance.
- Prototype and Simulate: Apply mockups, spreadsheets, and their behavior.
- Analyze Data: Find the unusual, broken loops, and the best strategies.
- Iterate and Adjust: Change small values, abilities, or spawn rates gradually.
Game Balancing Methods and Tools
Developers employ several time-tested methods and tools that help them in balancing games:
Manual Balancing
It means that developers manually change the stats, abilities, or difficulty levels. This process entails a profound understanding but allows for artistic influence.
Spreadsheet Modeling
Indeed, Excel or Google Sheets are very useful. Here, you can make damage formulas, cost-to-benefit ratios, and even run simulation experiments before going further.
Playtesting
Various kinds of testing, including in-house and external, provide new insights. You’ll also inadvertently find out imbalances that players exploit like no model can.
Analytics
Current games implement telemetry to register parameters of players’ performance. This is a source of data that developers can use to locate weapons that are too powerful, unused characters, or the presence of unjust barriers in the game.
Final Thoughts—Mastering the Art of Game Balancing
Game balancing is not only a technical issue but also an art form. It is located at the confluence of numbers, design, and player psychology.
If you are an indie developer creating your first platformer or an AAA game development team tuning a multiplayer shooter, balance will decide your game’s fate.
So, don’t think of balancing as an afterthought. You can even go so far as to incorporate it into your game from the start.
After all, a balanced game is a game that can give players the best experience.
