How can you create game mechanics for solo, cooperative, and competitive play?

1 Solo play

Solo play is when a player engages with a game alone, without any human or AI companions or opponents. Solo play mechanics should provide a clear goal, a challenge, and a feedback loop for the player. For example, in a puzzle game, the goal is to solve the puzzles, the challenge is the difficulty and variety of the puzzles, and the feedback loop is the reward and progression system. Solo play mechanics should also allow the player to customize their experience, such as choosing the level of difficulty, the speed of the game, or the aesthetics of the game.

2 Cooperative play

Cooperative play is when two or more players work together to achieve a common goal, usually against a shared enemy or obstacle. Cooperative play mechanics should encourage teamwork, communication, and coordination among the players. For example, in a cooperative shooter game, the players may have different roles, skills, and weapons that complement each other, and they may need to communicate and coordinate their actions to survive and complete the missions. Cooperative play mechanics should also balance the difficulty and reward of the game, so that the players feel challenged but not frustrated, and rewarded but not overpowered.

3 Competitive play

Competitive play is when two or more players compete against each other to win a game, usually by scoring points, eliminating opponents, or capturing objectives. Competitive play mechanics should foster fair and fun competition, skill and strategy development, and social interaction among the players. For example, in a competitive racing game, the players may have different cars, tracks, and modes that offer different advantages and disadvantages, and they may need to use their skills and strategies to outsmart and outrun their opponents. Competitive play mechanics should also provide clear and consistent rules, feedback, and ranking systems, so that the players know how to play, how they are performing, and how they compare to others.

4 Hybrid play

Hybrid play is when a game combines elements of solo, cooperative, and competitive play, either within the same game mode or across different game modes. Hybrid play mechanics should offer variety, flexibility, and accessibility for the players. For example, in a hybrid role-playing game, the players may have the option to play solo or with others, to cooperate or compete with others, and to switch between different modes and scenarios. Hybrid play mechanics should also ensure that the game is balanced, coherent, and engaging, regardless of the mode and style of play.

5 Design principles

No matter the type of play, there are some general principles that can help you design effective and enjoyable game mechanics. These include aligning the mechanics with the theme and genre of the game, testing and iterating the mechanics with feedback from players, keeping the mechanics simple, clear, and intuitive, and making the mechanics meaningful, dynamic, and emergent. This ensures that the mechanics match the tone, setting, and story of the game to create a sense of immersion and consistency for the players. Additionally, it allows for testing and refining with input from the target audience to meet their needs, preferences, and expectations. Moreover, it ensures that the mechanics are easy to learn, understand, and use without unnecessary complexity or confusion. Finally, it allows for different outcomes and possibilities based on players' choices and actions.

6 Examples of games

To showcase how different games use different mechanics for different modes of play, here are some popular and successful examples across various genres and platforms: Solo play such as Portal, The Witness, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Stardew Valley, and The Sims; cooperative play like Left 4 Dead, Overcooked, Borderlands, Minecraft, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons; competitive play including Mario Kart, Street Fighter, Fortnite, Overwatch, and Chess; and hybrid play including Fallout 76, Grand Theft Auto Online, World of Warcraft, Among Us, and Roblox.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?