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GLB3D Game Mechanics: How to Incorporate Fun into the Building Process?
0Article by Aimee Gilmore
"Game mechanics are the core of what a game truly is. They are the interactions and relationships that remain when all the aesthetics, technology, and story are stripped away." (Jesse Schell)
Reference: Tom Tang at Unsplash
Mechanics define the rules and shape the emotional experience of gameplay. In 3D game development, developers blend art and science to create physics-defying moves, complex environments, and hidden challenges. These mechanics allow players to connect with the game world, sync with their characters, and respond intuitively to challenges, enhancing their immersion in the narrative.
The Evolution of 3D Game Mechanics in Game Design
3D game mechanics took off in the 1990s, with the onslaught of pseudo-3D and first-person perspective in Wolfenstein 3D (1992), which combined basic movement and collision detection. Super Mario 64 (1996) pushed the boundaries further by introducing analog control, enabling players to perform triple jumps.
Developers focused on refining game controls in the 2000s by experimenting with lock-on mechanics with z-targeting in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998), which allowed players to overcome limited camera controls to focus on close one-to-one melee combat through the physics Havok engine.
By the 2010s, emergent gameplay focused on enhanced player agency, with freeform movements through momentum-based motion controls and stamina management in groundbreaking games such as Dark Souls (2011) and Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017).
Physics-based movement and AI have taken center stage in the 2020s with haptic feedback, full-body interaction, and AI-influenced intelligent NPCs in Cyberpunk 2077.
Reference: Denise Jans at Unsplash
What are the building blocks of well-balanced and dynamic 3D game mechanics?
Mechanics are the foundation of video games. Advancements in 3D technology have enabled developers to refine core mechanics, aligning them with the game's storyline, art style, and environment. They do this in several ways.
A Core Loop
A core loop is integral to the game because it creates the primary cycle of events and actions a player will take. To be effective, it must give players a sense of progression with the perfect balance of challenge and reward. Minecraft's (2009) core loop involves gathering resources, exploring new environments, and defeating stronger bosses the longer players play.
Balance With Character Abilities and Weaponry
Balance between characters' abilities and weapons in video games is crucial, especially in competitive games, because it ensures fairness, allows players to experiment with different strategies, and provides a level playing field for all players to compete regardless of skill set, which drives player engagement and the game's overall success. In Overwatch (2016), characters' abilities and weapons were finely attuned to ensure no character was too strong or weak.
Gameplay Responds to the Players Actions
When gameplay responds to a players actions, it gives them a sense of ownership and control over the game, allowing them to become fully immersed in the world. It also provides a sense of morality when players have to think about the impact of their actions in real-time. In The Witcher 3 (2015), the storyline and environment changed based on a players choices.
Emotive and Meaningful Choices
Meaningful choices create an emotional connection with players, increasing their loyalty and commitment to a game. In Detroit Becoming Human (2018), players decisions can change the entire fate of the android race.
Reference: Sean Do at Unsplash
How have 3D game mechanics become a central focus in modern gameplay?
3D game mechanics are central to modern gameplay, offering players more control and immersion. Advancements in 3D technology enable intricate environments, dynamic character movements, stunning visuals, and epic storytelling, setting new standards in game design.
Optimize Player Experiences
3D game mechanics have evolved to include regulated systems and rules that optimize a players experience by intertwining mechanics that align with the story, art, and world environment. Celeste (2018) optimized player engagement by juxtaposing tight platforming mechanics with the characters complex emotions. In Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018), the developers slowed down the mechanics to increase the drama in each stand-off.
Encourage Replayability
Well-designed 3D game mechanics enhance replayability by encouraging players to return and master the game. Balanced mechanics that complement the environment allow for different strategies and outcomes. Games like Hades (2019) use a roguelike loop, where death impacts both gameplay and storytelling, keeping the experience fresh and immersive.
Reward with Progression-Based Skill Systems
3D game mechanics enhance progression by offering rewards-based skill systems that allow players strategically to decide which abilities to level up. This boosts player agency and deepens the connection with their character, giving them a sense of ownership over their personality via customization. In Splatoon (2015), players unlock and can customize outfits and weaponry in tense matches against opposing teams.
Reference: Carl Raw at Unsplash
How to incorporate fun into 3D mechanics?
With the advancement of 3D technology, developers can now experiment with fun, surprising game mechanics to surprise players.
Intuitive Motion Controls
Implementing intuitive motion controls can create a surprising twist and increase player engagement by adding the unpredictability of motion controls. Developers can make more routine tasks fun by allowing players to move physically, gesture, and manipulate the game worlds environments. In The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (2011), players could use the Nunchuk to control Links shield, move and solve puzzles, and in flying sequences.
Exploration Ability
Allowing players the freedom to roam and explore their 3D environment empowers them and gives them a feeling of an expansive and unlimited world. In the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011), players are dropped into an open world with dynamic side quests that add a sense of mystery by taking them on a detour off the main storyline.
Hidden Easter Eggs
Hidden Easter Eggs can bring joy and achievement when a player finds and unlocks them. By placing these hidden elements strategically around the map or on tiered levels, developers can create complex challenges that push players to face their fears and enhance their skills. In Diablo II (2000), the secret cow level fascinated fans and became a massive part of its lore because of its ingenuity.
Allowing Players the Freedom to be Creative
Developers can easily incorporate more fun into a 3D environment by giving players agency over what they craft and build and using game mechanics to manipulate the environment around them. In Little Big Planet (2008), players can create their own levels, while in No Mans Sky (2016), players build and craft their base in a procedurally generated universe.
Reference: Onur Binay at Unsplash
In conclusion, incorporating fun into 3D mechanics requires a delicate balance of creativity, innovation, and active player feedback. Game developers need to craft unique, immersive experiences that resonate with players on an emotional level, allowing them to engage deeply with the game world. By seamlessly blending gameplay with dynamic 3D mechanics, developers can entertain and foster a sense of personal achievement and mastery in players. These well-designed mechanics create unforgettable experiences that keep players returning, driving emotional connection and long-term engagement. Ultimately, the most memorable games are those where fun and challenges coexist, leaving players with a lasting sense of accomplishment.
