Game Design Fundamentals: How to Create an Engaging Gameplay Experience by Yevhen Kasyanenko

“Game design is not just code and visuals. It is a delicate process that includes elements of both science and art. It is the creation of a unique experience. It is important for a developer to be able to keep players engaged and not give them a reason to move on to another project,” says our leading expert Yevhen Kasyanenko.

The entire KISS Software team agrees with this expert opinion and wants you to gain a deeper understanding of the fundamentals of game design. So read this article to the end—there’s a lot of useful and interesting information!

Game design: the art of creating games

We are convinced that the main goal of game design is to evoke emotions in players. You need to create a world that you want to return to. At the same time, unlike amateurs, professionals focus on the gamer themselves. The game must meet their expectations and motivate them to move in the direction set by the designer.

One of the important principles is that the effort expended by the player must be rewarded. This is the best motivation to continue playing. Other important factors include:

• simple controls;
• an intuitive interface;
• an engaging storyline;
• high-quality graphics and sound.

“Game design requires a balance of all elements. It is important that the project is not too complicated and does not scare gamers away. However, it is also important that the game is not too simple, so that it does not become boring.” – our expert shares his experience.

Key aspects of game design

When taking a professional approach to game design, it is important to work on the following:

• Game mechanics. This includes combat systems, the ability to jump, crawl, collect items, solve puzzles, level up characters, and any other interactions between the gamer and the game world.
• Balance. The ability to make game design fair and motivating for development in the virtual world. Otherwise, users will become disappointed and move on to another project.
• Atmosphere. Well-designed visuals and sound will characterize a game project as professional. After all, these elements determine the perception and immersion in the gameplay.
• Narrative or storyline. Thanks to the meaningfulness of the gameplay, it will hook and engage users on an emotional level.

“Players don’t remember graphics, they remember emotions. That’s why creating a powerful gameplay experience is a priority over the technological side of development,” says Yevhen Kasyanenko.

Key roles in game development

A whole team should always be involved in professional game design:

• Game designer. This is the main creator, responsible for the concept, mechanics, various game elements, and the overall logic of the process.
• Artist. The person responsible for the visuals. Creates components such as characters, environments, and interfaces. They also set the color scheme. The quality of their work directly affects the perception of the project.
• Programmer. Translates the ideas behind the game into reality. To do this, they develop algorithms and write code.
• Narrative designer (screenwriter). Comes up with the plot, writes quest texts and descriptions. Dialogue and stories are also part of their job.
• Sound designer. Develops the musical accompaniment. This includes sound effects and character voices. All of this enhances the gamer’s perception of the game world.
• Tester. Their task is to check the game for bugs and errors. They also test it on various gadgets.

In our experience, it is the coordination of processes and competent interaction that can make a game project high-quality.

Important principles of game design

To motivate and engage players and make them want to return to the game, Yevhen Kasyanenko identifies three key aspects on which competent game design is based:

1. Balance between difficulty and rewards. The game process should draw the player in. At the same time, their expectations should be met. The difficulty of the game can also be a motivating factor. An example is Dark Souls. In this game, the player gets satisfaction when they overcome challenges.
2. Motivation and reward system. It is important to build a system of achievements, levels, and bonuses correctly. It forms attachment to the game and retains users.
3. Immersiveness. Simply put, the presence effect. A well-thought-out plot and atmosphere play an important role here. Other details of the surrounding world, especially sound, interactive elements, and animation, are also important.

How to engage the player from the very first seconds?

Modern computer game design is inevitably based on the idea of instant user engagement. In their development, KISS Software game designers start from the “three seconds” principle, says Yevhen Kasyanenko.

The time is, of course, relative. But the meaning is clear. The player must become interested in the project as quickly as possible and understand the basic mechanics. This is especially important in mobile games. Free-to-play, i.e., free gaming projects, are also worth mentioning.

Gamer engagement is determined by several key triggers. They compel the player to continue exploring the world. Here are a few of the main ones:

• An intriguing storyline
• Unique mechanics
• Attractive character design in mobile and computer games, charismatic heroes

Genres and game mechanics

A good computer game character designer or creator of large-scale game designs for mobile devices understands that it is the genre that determines the target audience.

How to choose a genre for success?

Game genres have distinctive features that are worth analyzing and comparing with your idea:

• Action. These are dynamic games that require quick reactions and coordination, such as God of War with its thrilling combat system, and Doom with its intense firefights.
• RPG (Role-playing). These games allow players to develop their characters. Players also need to make decisions and influence the game world. The bar has been set here by two open-world narrative games: The Witcher 3 and Skyrim.
• Strategy. Players are required to think through tactics and manage resources. StarCraft II (RTS) and Civilization VI (turn-based strategy) stand out in this genre.
• Simulation. These games reproduce real-life processes. Examples include city management (SimCity) and character life (The Sims). Microsoft Flight Simulator, for example, teaches flying skills.
• Puzzle. These games focus on logic and problem solving. Visually stylish and engaging examples include Portal, with its portal mechanics, and Monument Valley, with its optical illusions.
• FPS (First-person shooters). This genre is based on dynamic shootouts and requires quick reactions. Among the leaders are the well-known Call of Duty with its cinematic action, as well as Counter-Strike with its competitive multiplayer.

Gameplay mechanics development

“I cannot stress enough that game mechanics are the heart of any game project. It is important to choose the right concept that will be intuitive, engaging, and appropriate for the genre,” says Yevhen Kasyanenko.

There are several types of mechanics:

• Puzzles (e.g., Portal, Monument Valley) – test the gamer’s logic and develop non-standard thinking.
• Crafting system (Minecraft, etc.) – allows you to create objects and adapt the game world.
• Character leveling (Cyberpunk 2077) – creates a sense of progress and personalization.
• Social interaction (MMORPG, Fortnite) – motivates players through cooperation and competition.

Gamer psychology and motivation to play

All gamers have their own gaming preferences. Some are interested in exploration, others in competition, and still others in immersion in the game world.

That is why, as Yevhen Kasyanenko teaches, it is extremely important to understand the psychology of players. Without it, it is impossible to create an exciting and emotionally rich project.

Player behavior models

One of the most famous approaches to analyzing player motivation was proposed by Richard Bartle. He divided the audience into four categories:

Killers. Its representatives seek competition. They prefer competitive elements and “player versus player” modes. They enjoy defeating real opponents.

1. Examples include Counter-Strike and League of Legends.
2. Achievers. This category is focused on progress and achievement. Its members strive to unlock all rewards, earn trophies, and reach the highest level. Notable examples include World of Warcraft and Dark Souls.
3. Explorers. They prefer to explore game worlds. They like to uncover secret mechanics or gather knowledge about the game universe. Huge open worlds in The Legend of Zelda, Breath of the Wild, and Elden Ring were created for them.
4. Socializers. They play for the sake of communication and interaction with other users. Projects such as MMORPG, Minecraft, and Fortnite attract them with the opportunity to build communities.

Fogg Behavior Model (FBM)

BJ Fogg, a renowned expert in behavioral psychology, developed a model that explains why people engage in certain activities. It is based on three “pillars”:

1. Motivation – the player’s desire to participate in the game process. For example, to explore, win, or interact.
2. Ability – the ease with which a game action can be performed. This depends, for example, on convenient controls or an intuitive interface.
3. Stimulus – signals that prompt the player to take action, such as unobtrusive notifications, quests, or in-game rewards.

But what happens if even one of these elements is missing? We asked Yevhen Kasyanenko this question.

“The gamer is more likely to quit the game. That’s why a smooth learning curve is important. You need well-thought-out in-game goals. And, of course, clear incentives to continue the gaming experience,” the expert replied.

How to create gaming habits

It’s worth taking note of how successful free-to-play games use proven game mechanics that keep players coming back to the project again and again:

• Daily reward system (Genshin Impact, Clash of Clans). Players are encouraged to log into the game every day by offering bonuses.
• Limited events and exclusive content (Fortnite, Apex Legends). Temporary events trigger fear of missing out (FOMO) in players.This motivates active participation.
• Character development or item collection (Diablo, FIFA Ultimate Team). The desire to collect rare items or level up a character keeps gamers playing.
• Social elements (Among Us, GTA Online). The ability to play with friends increases engagement.

How to implement donations and microtransactions correctly

“Monetization is an important part of the gaming business. But incorrectly implemented payments can cause negative reactions from players,” notes Yevhen Kasyanenko.

That’s why the KISS Software team has compiled a set of “golden” rules for the ethical use of microtransactions:

• Cosmetic purchases, not “pay-to-win.” Selling skins and customization. League of Legends and Valorant are good examples. This is much better received than paid advantages.
• Transparency and honesty. Players should understand exactly what they are paying for. Instead of loot boxes, it is better to sell guaranteed items.
• Optimization without pressure. Donations should not be the only way to progress. In good games, they are introduced as an addition, not as a prerequisite.
• Limited offers without aggressive marketing. Players should not be forced to spend money through manipulation or intrusive mechanics.

The game creation process: from idea to release

Let’s take a look at the key stages of game design with our expert. We also suggest paying attention to modern trends that will help retain your audience after release.

The main stages of development

Every successful game goes through five key stages. Each of them requires careful planning and testing.

1. Idea and concept

It is important to come up with an interesting idea and turn it into a well-thought-out concept. Its components are:

• genre;
• setting;
• key mechanics;
• target audience.

It is worth keeping all your thoughts and ideas in one place so that you can constantly pick out the best ones. At the same time, it is important to consider:

• The uniqueness of the game project, what sets it apart from its competitors.
• Gameplay and mechanics that will truly engage players.
• Monetization, such as selling premium products or a play-to-earn concept.

2. Prototyping

Before releasing the final game design, it is best to create a prototype. This will help identify any flaws right away, fix them, and improve the final version. This approach will save you a lot of money and stress.

3. Development

At this stage, the following is already underway:

• Programming (engine development, mechanics, AI).
• Graphics creation (3D or 2D models, animation, interfaces).
• Sound (music, effects, speech).

It is worth working on optimizing the game’s performance on various platforms or tailoring it to a specific one.

4. Testing

Testing will help avoid bugs and errors and includes:

• Functional tests (bug hunting).
• UX/UI testing (how easy it is to play).
• Feedback from focus groups (first impressions from players).

5. Release and marketing

Release is not the end point. It is a launching pad for promotion. At this stage, it is important to think ahead about:

• How to create hype – trailers, demo versions, streamers.
• Where the game will be published – App Store and Google Play, Steam, etc.
• How will monetization take place – through a donation system, purchase of skins, etc.

What determines the future of the industry – game design trends

According to Yevhen Kasyanenko, modern trends in game design must be analyzed and implemented in the project. The expert highlights three aspects for the future of the gaming industry.

1. Game analytics

Through analysis, developers can identify weaknesses and improve their product. The main metrics for this are:

• DAU (Daily Active Users) – how many players log in each day.
• Retention Rate – how many users return after the first launch.
• Session Length – the average time a gamer spends in the game.

2. LiveOps

It is also important to update the game in a timely manner and maintain the audience after release. LiveOps (Live Operations) is a strategy for continuously updating content that helps with this. Popular approaches:

• Seasonal events (Fortnite, Genshin Impact).
• Weekly quests (adding new tasks to motivate players).
• Balance patches (correction of game mechanics based on feedback).

LiveOps makes the game “alive.” It increases engagement and stimulates monetization.

3. NFT and Play-to-Earn in games

Since 2024, the trend of earning money by playing games has been developing extremely rapidly. Blockchain technology has already made its way into game design, creating a new format for owning digital assets. In Play-to-Earn games, users can:

• Earn cryptocurrency by completing in-game tasks, for example, in Axie Infinity and Notcoin.
• Buy and sell NFT items that have real value – Illuvium is a prime example.
• Create unique content that can then be monetized, such as in the metaverses The Sandbox and Decentraland.

“Game design is a complex process. It requires not only creativity, but also competent analysis. Successful projects focus on metrics and use LiveOps. They also adapt to new trends, such as Play-to-Earn. These approaches allow you to not only create another interesting game, but, more importantly, retain your audience for many years,” reminds Yevhen Kasyanenko.

Game designer tools

To create a high-quality game design, it is important to use the right tools and choose the right game engine. To do this, you need to clearly understand the type of game, the platform, and the graphics requirements.

Let’s take a look at the three most popular engines. They are actively used by both indie developers and large studios, including KISS Software:

1. Unity (universal choice). One of the most popular game engines. It is suitable for both 2D and 3D games. It is used by both beginners and professionals. Supports export to PC, consoles, mobile devices, AR/VR.
2. Unreal Engine (for photorealistic graphics). An engine from Epic Games. It is ideal for AAA games with powerful graphics. It uses Blueprints, which allows you to develop games without in-depth programming knowledge.
3. Godot (optimal for 2D projects). A free, open-source engine. It is ideal for 2D games. Compact and easy to learn. Supports export to mobile platforms, PCs, and web browsers.

Why does working with KISS professionals increase your chances of success?

Developing a successful game design is not just about creativity and coding skills. It is an area where modern art and technical skills are closely intertwined in a multitude of separate processes. Clear management of these processes is only possible with a coordinated team approach. It’s not just about creating a beautiful picture, but about understanding player behavior and reading their emotions and expectations. Every detail is important, from UI solutions to the overall logic of the game process. And the higher your standards, the more details you need to consider.

Yes, you can try to do everything yourself by reading our articles, analyzing trends, and testing ideas. This will give you experience and help you develop skills. However, if you want to get really good results right away, attract attention to your business with the help of a game, monetize it, and enter the global market, then you should definitely turn to professionals. The KISS Software team, led by experienced specialist Yevhen Kasyanenko, specializes in such solutions. Experts in their niche are responsible for each process in game design development.

We provide:

• In-depth analysis of the genre and mechanics before development begins.
• Professional gameplay tuning. Engagement testing.
• UX/UI optimization for maximum player comfort.
• Analytics, marketing, and promotion after release.

Do you want your game project to not only look beautiful, but also truly engage players and convert your success? Request a free consultation now! We’ll tell you how to make a game that players won’t want to turn off!