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Replay.qa

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Telegram started as a messaging service, but it has transformed into a hub of mini-games that has made entertainment faster and more reachable for the users of this application. While this milestone was reached in record time, it has continued to face user retention challenges among others. This article dwells on the major challenges that are preventing Telegram-based mini games from enjoying long-term active user engagement and how incentive-based gamification as a retention strategy is key to sustaining users’ interest. User Engagement and Retention One of the biggest challenges facing Telegram mini-games is offering lifetime value. Mini-games on the platform are mostly designed for casual use in short sessions, after which a "novelty curve" very quickly sets in. Users engaging with these kinds of games to always have quick entertainment often move on afterward once they've completed a few sessions. Unlike most mobile or console games, Telegram mini-games don't usually have depth, long-term goals, and complicated features like immersive graphics or sound. To address this, developers can add gamification elements that foster continuous participation. It includes daily challenges, achievements, and leaderboards, which raise users' interest in returning regularly to the game. Multiplayer features, which capitalize on Telegram's strength as a social platform, will also help gain more engagement by fostering competition and cooperation among users. Social interactions, like team-based competitions or friendly challenges, are ways to extend the life cycle of such games. Otherwise, only regular updating and the addition of new content will keep the users interested and the experience relevant. Game Discoverability Its biggest drawback is that Telegram does not have one marketplace or mechanism of discovery whereby users can discover new games without word-of-mouth or specific gaming channels. This really makes discovery hard, so even extremely well-designed games just don't have a big reach. Mini-games come across as basically invisible in an ecosystem with thousands of bots and services. To overcome this, the developers should make use of partnerships with popular channels or groups to promote their games on Telegram. The creation of more effective collaborations with influential or famous communities within the app will raise awareness. Additionally, Telegram can enhance its gaming ecosystem by providing a game discovery system where users easily navigate to trending or recommended games, similar to the store in which applications are sold. This will allow users to find new games more easily and, therefore, spend more time with the service, which gives developers a wider reach. Competition from Alternative Platforms The competition is also high from the feature-rich rivals: mobile app stores, including iOS/Android, and social media networks, such as Facebook and Discord. The games are more complex and have better graphics and sound, and depth in the mechanics; hence, they can overshadow the simpler games on Telegram. In general, mobile games do let one get into an immersive experience where only advanced gameplay can be played. This is highly limited in the telegram mini-games owing to the limitation of the platform. In this regard, Telegram can win for itself a niche of improving the experience of online game playing. It can embed games directly into group chats and channels to give users an opportunity to create new forms of communicative and entertaining activity. That would allow casual gaming right from within the user's existing flow of social interactions, making them more frequent. Also, adding casual multiplayer gameplay, where people can actually play together with their friends in real-time, might position Telegram strongly alongside most of the big players. Novelty Fatigue and Replayability Most Telegram mini-games are facing the problem of novelty fatigue: users get bored in a few playthroughs. Both these games are designed for short, casual sessions; each will allow limited replay value. Once users have completed the game or mastered its mechanics, there's little reason to return, especially in cases when a game doesn't update with new content. However, most of the Telegram mini-games are extremely simple, and they also lack other complex features such as high-quality graphics or sound, which complicates things. Novelty fatigue can be compensated for by adding more complexity and variety as more time has passed. Seasonal events, daily or weekly challenges, and new game modes or levels add freshness to the way one plays. Competitive elements, such as leaderboards or user-given content as custom levels or challenges, increase replayability. Updates added periodically by developers enable continued resetting of new objectives for players, helping maintain longer-term interests. Integration of Blockchain and Decentralized Features The rising Blockchain technology gives Telegram room to extend its mini-game ecosystem. Introducing the platform's proprietary blockchain, TON, may dramatically change the perspective in terms of gaming on the platform. TON can allow fast and secure in-game transactions, opening different revenue streams and building a decentralized game economy. Therefore, developers can use rewards in tangible form by introducing blockchain elements like NFT and in-game tokens to keep users engaged for a long period of time. One could visualize players earning, trading, or even staking tokens to give them real value and incentivize them to continue contributing. It is a whole decentralized gaming approach, with an additional investment layering in the users themselves, who will not only engage in gameplay but also earn ownership of in-game assets. Yet these features have been rather slow to be adopted since users may be leery about engaging with the blockchain features of the site due to unfamiliarity or simply technical bottlenecks. For the developers, the integration process should be smoothed out to make blockchain features in games more accessible to users. Besides, users should be educated about the benefits of gaming on a blockchain, and seamless onboarding processes provided for better adoption. In a continuously maturing Telegram mini-game ecosystem, blockchain technology may give just what is needed by maintaining user interest through unique and rich gaming experiences. Case Study: Telegram-based Mini-Game App TapShot The maker of StrayShot, a third person shooter game on mobile, PC and consoles, recently launched its Telegram-based clicker game, TapShot, a fun idle game that allows users to upgrade weapons, rank up, and unlock new hunters--as a long-term user retention strategy to counter the prevalence of crypto airdrops and its short-term effect. This approach could enhance the retention strategies that other Telegram mini-games have explored. With a more meaningful gameplay experience and a clear link to a larger game, TapShot could keep players engaged for the long haul. It is a smart marketing strategy that not only builds an audience for StrayShot, but also tackles the challenge of user drop-off seen in some other crypto games. Additionally, TapShot’s user retention strategy introduces a more targeted approach to airdrop rewards. Since the game encourages real gameplay and engagement, it’s likely that airdrops will be connected to actual progress within the game, making rewards larger and more valuable for dedicated players in the long-term. Conclusion The momentum of Telegram mini-games should be regarded as multi-factorial, and along the way, more creativity and fitting are required. Developers should be worried about enriching user engagement by adding more gamification, making it more discoverable, and somehow distinguishing the platform from other competitors. Introducing blockchain and going decentralized opens a wide door to possibilities for making games even more engaging and rewarding. These challenges being addressed, Telegram will be able to further develop its mini-game ecosystem and keep users interested in the long term. Telegram started as a messaging service, but it has transformed into a hub of mini-games that has made entertainment faster and more reachable for the users of this application. While this milestone was reached in record time, it has continued to face user retention challenges among others. This article dwells on the major challenges that are preventing Telegram-based mini games from enjoying long-term active user engagement and how incentive-based gamification as a retention strategy is key to sustaining users’ interest. User Engagement and Retention One of the biggest challenges facing Telegram mini-games is offering lifetime value. Mini-games on the platform are mostly designed for casual use in short sessions, after which a "novelty curve" very quickly sets in. Users engaging with these kinds of games to always have quick entertainment often move on afterward once they've completed a few sessions. Unlike most mobile or console games, Telegram mini-games don't usually have depth, long-term goals, and complicated features like immersive graphics or sound. To address this, developers can add gamification elements that foster continuous participation. It includes daily challenges, achievements, and leaderboards, which raise users' interest in returning regularly to the game. Multiplayer features, which capitalize on Telegram's strength as a social platform, will also help gain more engagement by fostering competition and cooperation among users. Social interactions, like team-based competitions or friendly challenges, are ways to extend the life cycle of such games. Otherwise, only regular updating and the addition of new content will keep the users interested and the experience relevant. Game Discoverability Its biggest drawback is that Telegram does not have one marketplace or mechanism of discovery whereby users can discover new games without word-of-mouth or specific gaming channels. This really makes discovery hard, so even extremely well-designed games just don't have a big reach. Mini-games come across as basically invisible in an ecosystem with thousands of bots and services. To overcome this, the developers should make use of partnerships with popular channels or groups to promote their games on Telegram. The creation of more effective collaborations with influential or famous communities within the app will raise awareness. Additionally, Telegram can enhance its gaming ecosystem by providing a game discovery system where users easily navigate to trending or recommended games, similar to the store in which applications are sold. This will allow users to find new games more easily and, therefore, spend more time with the service, which gives developers a wider reach. game discovery system game discovery system Competition from Alternative Platforms The competition is also high from the feature-rich rivals: mobile app stores, including iOS/Android, and social media networks, such as Facebook and Discord. The games are more complex and have better graphics and sound, and depth in the mechanics; hence, they can overshadow the simpler games on Telegram. In general, mobile games do let one get into an immersive experience where only advanced gameplay can be played. This is highly limited in the telegram mini-games owing to the limitation of the platform. In this regard, Telegram can win for itself a niche of improving the experience of online game playing. It can embed games directly into group chats and channels to give users an opportunity to create new forms of communicative and entertaining activity. can embed games directly into group can embed games directly into group That would allow casual gaming right from within the user's existing flow of social interactions, making them more frequent. Also, adding casual multiplayer gameplay, where people can actually play together with their friends in real-time, might position Telegram strongly alongside most of the big players. Novelty Fatigue and Replayability Most Telegram mini-games are facing the problem of novelty fatigue: users get bored in a few playthroughs. Both these games are designed for short, casual sessions; each will allow limited replay value. Once users have completed the game or mastered its mechanics, there's little reason to return, especially in cases when a game doesn't update with new content. However, most of the Telegram mini-games are extremely simple, and they also lack other complex features such as high-quality graphics or sound, which complicates things. Novelty fatigue can be compensated for by adding more complexity and variety as more time has passed. Seasonal events, daily or weekly challenges, and new game modes or levels add freshness to the way one plays. Competitive elements, such as leaderboards or user-given content as custom levels or challenges, increase replayability. Updates added periodically by developers enable continued resetting of new objectives for players, helping maintain longer-term interests. Integration of Blockchain and Decentralized Features The rising Blockchain technology gives Telegram room to extend its mini-game ecosystem. Introducing the platform's proprietary blockchain, TON, may dramatically change the perspective in terms of gaming on the platform. TON can allow fast and secure in-game transactions, opening different revenue streams and building a decentralized game economy. Therefore, developers can use rewards in tangible form by introducing blockchain elements like NFT and in-game tokens to keep users engaged for a long period of time. One could visualize players earning, trading, or even staking tokens to give them real value and incentivize them to continue contributing. It is a whole decentralized gaming approach, with an additional investment layering in the users themselves, who will not only engage in gameplay but also earn ownership of in-game assets. Yet these features have been rather slow to be adopted since users may be leery about engaging with the blockchain features of the site due to unfamiliarity or simply technical bottlenecks. For the developers, the integration process should be smoothed out to make blockchain features in games more accessible to users. Besides, users should be educated about the benefits of gaming on a blockchain, and seamless onboarding processes provided for better adoption. In a continuously maturing Telegram mini-game ecosystem, blockchain technology may give just what is needed by maintaining user interest through unique and rich gaming experiences. Case Study: Telegram-based Mini-Game App TapShot The maker of StrayShot, a third person shooter game on mobile, PC and consoles, recently launched its Telegram-based clicker game, TapShot, a fun idle game that allows users to upgrade weapons, rank up, and unlock new hunters--as a long-term user retention strategy to counter the prevalence of crypto airdrops and its short-term effect. This approach could enhance the retention strategies that other Telegram mini-games have explored. With a more meaningful gameplay experience and a clear link to a larger game, TapShot could keep players engaged for the long haul. It is a smart marketing strategy that not only builds an audience for StrayShot, but also tackles the challenge of user drop-off seen in some other crypto games. Additionally, TapShot’s user retention strategy introduces a more targeted approach to airdrop rewards. Since the game encourages real gameplay and engagement, it’s likely that airdrops will be connected to actual progress within the game, making rewards larger and more valuable for dedicated players in the long-term. Conclusion The momentum of Telegram mini-games should be regarded as multi-factorial, and along the way, more creativity and fitting are required. Developers should be worried about enriching user engagement by adding more gamification, making it more discoverable, and somehow distinguishing the platform from other competitors. Introducing blockchain and going decentralized opens a wide door to possibilities for making games even more engaging and rewarding. These challenges being addressed, Telegram will be able to further develop its mini-game ecosystem and keep users interested in the long term.

The Challenge Of Sustaining Mini-Game Momentum On Telegram

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Authors:
(1) Sebastian Dziadzio, University of Tübingen (sebastian.dziadzio@uni-tuebingen.de);
(2) Çagatay Yıldız, University of Tübingen;
(3) Gido M. van de Ven, KU Leuven;
(4) Tomasz Trzcinski, IDEAS NCBR, Warsaw University of Technology, Tooploox;
(5) Tinne Tuytelaars, KU Leuven;
(6) Matthias Bethge, University of Tübingen. Table of Links Abstract and 1. Introduction 2. Two problems with the current approach to class-incremental continual learning 3. Methods and 3.1. Infinite dSprites 3.2. Disentangled learning 4. Related work 4.1. Continual learning and 4.2. Benchmarking continual learning 5. Experiments 5.1. Regularization methods and 5.2. Replay-based methods 5.3. Do we need equivariance? 5.4. One-shot generalization and 5.5. Open-set classification 5.6. Online vs. offline Conclusion, Acknowledgments and References Supplementary Material 5. Experiments In this section, we evaluate standard continual learning methods and our disentangled learning framework on a benchmark generated using idSprites. The benchmark consists of 200 classification tasks. For each task, we randomly generate 10 shapes and create an image dataset showing the shapes in all combinations of 4 FoVs with 8 possible values per factor. This gives us 40,960 samples per task, which we then randomly split into training, validation, and test sets with a 98:1:1 ratio. The test set is being accumulated at each task until it reaches the maximum limit of 50,000 samples, at which point we employ reservoir sampling to include new classes while keeping the test set bounded and balanced. After training on each task, we report test accuracy on the accumulated test set. To ensure a reliable comparison, we use the same backbone (ResNet-18 [9]) for every method. We also make sure that all models are trained until convergence. We aim to position our approach among existing continual learning methods, as well as understand its generalization properties. More concretely, the experiments answer the following questions: • (Section 5.1) How does our approach compare to regularisation-based continual learning baselines? • (Section 5.2) How does our approach compare to replaybased continual learning baselines? How is the performance of replay affected by memory buffer size and computational budget? • (Section 5.3) Do we need equivariance or is learning invariant representations enough? • (Section 5.4) Is our approach able to generalise instantly to previously unseen shapes? • (Section 5.5) Can our approach perform open-set classification, i.e. distinguish between new and previously seen shapes? • (Section 5.6) Can we use our approach in the online learning scenario, where each sample from the training stream is observed only once? This paper is available on arxiv under CC 4.0 license. Authors: (1) Sebastian Dziadzio, University of Tübingen (sebastian.dziadzio@uni-tuebingen.de); (2) Çagatay Yıldız, University of Tübingen; (3) Gido M. van de Ven, KU Leuven; (4) Tomasz Trzcinski, IDEAS NCBR, Warsaw University of Technology, Tooploox; (5) Tinne Tuytelaars, KU Leuven; (6) Matthias Bethge, University of Tübingen. Authors: Authors: (1) Sebastian Dziadzio, University of Tübingen (sebastian.dziadzio@uni-tuebingen.de); (2) Çagatay Yıldız, University of Tübingen; (3) Gido M. van de Ven, KU Leuven; (4) Tomasz Trzcinski, IDEAS NCBR, Warsaw University of Technology, Tooploox; (5) Tinne Tuytelaars, KU Leuven; (6) Matthias Bethge, University of Tübingen. Table of Links Abstract and 1. Introduction Abstract and 1. Introduction 2. Two problems with the current approach to class-incremental continual learning 2. Two problems with the current approach to class-incremental continual learning 3. Methods and 3.1. Infinite dSprites 3. Methods and 3.1. Infinite dSprites 3.2. Disentangled learning 3.2. Disentangled learning 4. Related work 4. Related work 4.1. Continual learning and 4.2. Benchmarking continual learning 4.1. Continual learning and 4.2. Benchmarking continual learning 5. Experiments 5. Experiments 5.1. Regularization methods and 5.2. Replay-based methods 5.1. Regularization methods and 5.2. Replay-based methods 5.3. Do we need equivariance? 5.3. Do we need equivariance? 5.4. One-shot generalization and 5.5. Open-set classification 5.4. One-shot generalization and 5.5. Open-set classification 5.6. Online vs. offline 5.6. Online vs. offline Conclusion, Acknowledgments and References Conclusion, Acknowledgments and References Supplementary Material Supplementary Material 5. Experiments In this section, we evaluate standard continual learning methods and our disentangled learning framework on a benchmark generated using idSprites. The benchmark consists of 200 classification tasks. For each task, we randomly generate 10 shapes and create an image dataset showing the shapes in all combinations of 4 FoVs with 8 possible values per factor. This gives us 40,960 samples per task, which we then randomly split into training, validation, and test sets with a 98:1:1 ratio. The test set is being accumulated at each task until it reaches the maximum limit of 50,000 samples, at which point we employ reservoir sampling to include new classes while keeping the test set bounded and balanced. After training on each task, we report test accuracy on the accumulated test set. To ensure a reliable comparison, we use the same backbone (ResNet-18 [9]) for every method. We also make sure that all models are trained until convergence. We aim to position our approach among existing continual learning methods, as well as understand its generalization properties. More concretely, the experiments answer the following questions: • (Section 5.1) How does our approach compare to regularisation-based continual learning baselines? • (Section 5.2) How does our approach compare to replaybased continual learning baselines? How is the performance of replay affected by memory buffer size and computational budget? • (Section 5.3) Do we need equivariance or is learning invariant representations enough? • (Section 5.4) Is our approach able to generalise instantly to previously unseen shapes? • (Section 5.5) Can our approach perform open-set classification, i.e. distinguish between new and previously seen shapes? • (Section 5.6) Can we use our approach in the online learning scenario, where each sample from the training stream is observed only once? This paper is available on arxiv under CC 4.0 license. This paper is available on arxiv under CC 4.0 license. available on arxiv

Assessing Generalization and Open-Set Classification in Continual Learning Experiments

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Today's gamers expect levels that are not only visually stunning but also richly interactive and immersive. How can we reach these expectations as developers? Let’s talk about modern level design. In essence, level design refers to creating levels, stages, or missions within a game. But this description barely scratches the surface of what level design embodies. It's not merely about placing objects, enemies, or environmental artwork. It's a more profound and intricate process – it's about crafting experiences. Imagine level design as the art of shaping the player's adventure. It’s about constructing the narrative pathway they walk through, not just in terms of the physical space within the game but also in how they experience the story being told. The level is where the game's story, mechanics, and art converge to create a memorable experience. Consider a level in a as a chapter in a book. Each chapter has a beginning, where players are introduced to new elements or challenges. There's a middle where these elements are explored and interacted with, and an ending, often culminating in a significant challenge or a pivotal narrative moment. The level designer's job is to make this journey as engaging and coherent as possible. game But it's not just about linear progression. A well-designed level offers players choices and paths to explore while guiding them toward the intended narrative or gameplay goals. It's about creating an environment that feels alive and responsive to the player's actions. Consider how game levels like The Legend of Zelda or Dark Souls are designed. They aren't just spaces to traverse; they're puzzles to solve, stories to unravel, and worlds to immerse oneself in. The goal is to avoid extremes – neither too easy nor frustratingly hard. The challenge, akin to waves, should undulate, ensuring player engagement and accomplishment. You need to define your approach before you start level design placement. And here, you have several options that you can learn from famous examples. Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment. A prime example is the Resident Evil series, particularly Resident Evil 4. This game subtly adjusts the difficulty based on the player's performance. If the player dies frequently, the game reduces the number of enemies in subsequent attempts. Conversely, if the player is breezing through levels, it subtly ramps up the challenge. This dynamic adjustment keeps the game engaging for players of varying skill levels without breaking immersion. Progressive Challenge Scaling. The Super Mario Bros. levels are meticulously designed to introduce challenges progressively. Early levels are more straightforward, teaching the player basic mechanics. As the game progresses, levels become more complex, combining these mechanics in challenging ways. The infamous Water Levels or the introduction of more complex enemies like Hammer Bros. exemplify this scaling, which adds variety and escalating challenges while remaining fair and engaging. A classic example can be seen in Portal and Portal 2. These games excel in gradually introducing players to new mechanics and combining them increasingly complexly. Early levels are simple, focusing on understanding the essential use of the portal gun. As players progress, levels demand more sophisticated uses of the portals, spatial reasoning, and timing. This steady increase in complexity helps players develop their skills naturally without feeling overwhelmed. Safe Spaces and Respite. Dark Souls, a game known for its difficulty, skillfully balances challenge with rest. Between its notoriously tricky sections, bonfires are acting as safe spaces. These allow players to recuperate, reinforcing a sense of progression and achievement. It's a rhythmic balance of tension and relief, preventing frustration. Games like Bloodborne implement a risk-versus-reward system to balance difficulty. Engaging in high-risk combat scenarios can lead to greater rewards. This system encourages players to push their limits and allows them to play it safely. It's a balance that motivates players to improve and engage more deeply with the game mechanics. Player-Driven Difficulty. Games like The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim offers another approach. Here, the world is open, and players can choose their paths. They might wander into a high-level area and face tough challenges or stay in lower-level areas to build their skills and confidence. This player-driven difficulty allows individuals to tailor their experiences to their comfort level. The Mass Effect series offers settings that range from narrative-focused, where combat is easier, to hardcore modes that significantly ramp up combat challenges. This approach respects player choice and caters to a broader audience, from those seeking a story to those desiring intense gameplay. Narrative as a Difficulty Balancer. The Last of Us series uses narrative elements to balance gameplay difficulty. Intense combat sequences are interspersed with quieter, story-driven sections, where players learn more about the characters and the world. This ebb and flow maintains engagement without overwhelming the player. Balancing difficulty is not just about enemy placement or the number of obstacles. It's about understanding the player's journey through the game. It involves crafting a narrative flow where challenges rise and fall, maintaining interest and providing a sense of accomplishment. This approach requires a deep understanding of game mechanics, player psychology, and storytelling. Games like Celeste offer frequent checkpoints, acknowledging the game's severe difficulty and allowing players to quickly retry challenging sections, reducing frustration while maintaining the challenge. Implementing checkpoint and save systems can significantly affect the perception of difficulty. Difficulty in level design isn't just about combat or enemies. The environment itself can present challenges. The environment plays a key role in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Weather, terrain, and physics create situations where players must think and adapt. For example, climbing a mountain during rain is more challenging than in clear weather. This adds a layer of strategic decision-making based on the environment. Developers often release beta versions or updates based on player experiences. In modern game development, player feedback is crucial for balancing difficulty. Fortnite is an example of continuous updates and player feedback shaping the game's balance, keeping the gameplay fresh and appropriately challenging. Balancing difficulty in level design is an ongoing dialogue between the designer and the player. It's about understanding not just the mechanics of the game but the people who play it. Every player is different, and their experience can vary widely. The goal of the level designer is to craft a challenging, rewarding, and, most importantly, enjoyable journey for a wide range of players. Environmental art. Level design cannot exist without other elements. And you, as a level designer, should focus on another part of game design that will be at your disposal - Environmental art. Environment art is what gives life to the game's world. It's about the aesthetics – the textures, the lighting, the 3D models. These elements create the visual appeal and immersion of the game. The environment artists are like the painters and sculptors of the video game world, carefully crafting every visual detail to create a believable, engaging, and often beautiful environment for players to explore. A game with exceptional environment art can be awe-inspiring. Think of the stunning vistas in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt or the intricate, dystopian world of Bioshock Infinite. The environment art sets the tone and atmosphere in these games, contributing significantly to the overall gaming experience. Level design should continue the environment design. It should highlight the setting and maintain the mood. Only then will the level design be considered good when it performs both practical and aesthetic functions. Let's shift our focus to level design, about the Level design is the structural foundation of the game’s world. It's about creating spaces that facilitate gameplay, guide the player's journey, present challenges, and help progress the narrative. gameplay experience within these environments. A level designer must consider how players interact with the environment, move through space, and utilize the game's mechanics. It's about creating a flow within the game, using the environment to create a path for the player, and strategically placing elements like enemies, obstacles, and rewards. For instance, the intricate level designs in Dark Souls are not just about aesthetics. They are meticulously crafted to challenge players, often forcing them to be cautious and observant. The levels are designed to create a sense of dread and anticipation, with traps and enemies positioned to surprise and challenge the player. Moreover, level design often involves creating an intuitive and navigable space. It's about leading the player without making it obvious that they are being led. This is where level design overlaps with environmental storytelling. The placement of objects, the architecture of the space, and the progression through the environment can all tell a story in subtle ways. An example is Half-Life, where the environment and level design work together to guide the player, tell a story, and create an immersive experience without requiring extensive dialogue or cutscenes. The game uses visual cues, level layout, and environmental details to lead the player and reveal the narrative. Intricate-level design goes beyond the basic layout of environments; it involves crafting spaces that are functional for gameplay and rich in narrative depth, player engagement, and creativity. Multi-layered Levels. Within a limited space, when we want to make it larger than it is, we use one basic approach: Multi-layered Levels. One of my favorite games with this approach is Dishonored. In Dishonored, the levels are designed with multiple layers and pathways, offering players a variety of approaches to complete their objectives. The game's levels are complex, with interconnected areas encouraging exploration and experimentation. Players can sneak through buildings, traverse rooftops, or find hidden passages, all adding depth and replayability to the game. It works nicely here, mainly because it fits the main mechanic of the teleports. A professional-level designer will always use every piece of space effectively, coordinating it with the mechanics and ideas. But what if I want something else, something different? Let’s return to the Dark Souls series, renowned for its interconnected-level design. The game world is like a massive, intertwined puzzle where areas loop back on themselves, creating a sense of discovery and surprise. This design makes the world feel interconnected and rewards exploration and memorization, a vital aspect of the game's challenge and allure. In BioShock, the underwater city of Rapture is not just a backdrop but an integral part of the game's story. The environment tells its story through audio logs, visual cues, and architecture. The Art Deco design, the dilapidated structures, and the propaganda posters combine to immerse the player in the game's dystopian world. The Breath of the Wild reimagines open-world design by creating a dynamic environment that interacts with the player's actions. The game world responds to player choices and actions, whether chopping down trees to create bridges or using the game's physics engine to solve puzzles. This dynamic interaction makes the environment a key player in the game's design. In The Last of Us Part, the environment reflects the story's emotional tone, from abandoned homes that tell stories of the inhabitants' final moments to the overgrown ruins that signify the world's post-apocalyptic state. The level design is a narrative tool, enhancing the story's emotional impact. As you see, level design can’t be independent. It needs to be a part of all other elements. You should play with it based on your ideas and the mood of your game. Now that we know the basic level design approaches, let's talk about their principles. One of the most crucial is a . Each level in a game should serve a clear and distinct purpose. This could be advancing the story, introducing new gameplay mechanics, presenting a unique challenge, or combining these elements. Each level is designed to advance the story in games like Uncharted or Tomb Raider. Players journey through different environments, each revealing a new story chapter. The level design aligns with the narrative arc, ensuring that the environment and its challenges reflect and enhance the unfolding story. Portal excels in introducing and gradually expanding upon its core mechanic – the portal gun. Early levels are designed to teach players the basics of portal traversal. As the game progresses, levels become more complex, integrating new elements like momentum and light bridges, requiring players to think creatively and apply what they've learned in new ways. Celeste is a brilliant example of levels designed to provide specific challenges. Each chapter introduces new elements - wind, moving platforms, or hostile creatures - each adding a unique twist to the game's core platforming mechanics. The levels are purposefully designed to test the player’s skills and adaptability. purpose The level design combines mechanics, story, and exploration seamlessly. The purpose of a level should be evident to the player, whether it's understood from the level's design, its place in the game's world, or its contribution to the overarching story. A level with a clear purpose provides direction and motivation, guiding the player through the game's journey. Moreover, purpose-driven level design ensures that each part of the game feels necessary and engaging. It avoids the pitfalls of filler content, where levels exist merely to extend playtime without adding meaningful experiences. Another fundamental principle in level design is . motivating player movement A well-designed level not only facilitates but also encourages player exploration and progression. It's about using the environment to subtly guide players towards objectives and discoveries, ensuring a seamless and engaging experience. For this, we can use different techniques. For instance, in Journey, the distant mountain is a constant visual goal for players. In Dark Souls, the level design frequently employs grand structures or unique landscapes as points of interest, guiding players across its interconnected world. . Skyrim is an excellent example, where players are motivated to explore through the promise of hidden dungeons, rare artifacts, and unexpected encounters. The level design rewards curiosity, making exploration a core part of the player's experience. In Half-Life, for example, levels are designed to lead players along a specific path without making it obvious. The game uses lighting, architecture, and environmental storytelling to guide players, ensuring they are never lost but still feel in control of their journey. A classic technique is the use of visual cues or landmarks. Encouraging exploration is key Effective pathfinding is crucial. In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the interactive elements like destructible objects, climbable surfaces, and physics-based puzzles engage players and encourage them to interact with the world around them, often leading to discoveries. Interactivity within the environment can serve as a strong motivator. Narrative elements can also guide player movement. In BioShock, the narrative unfolds through the environment, with audio logs, signage, and environmental changes guiding players through Rapture. The story creates a sense of urgency and curiosity, driving players to explore further. It requires a deep understanding of human psychology and player behavior. The goal is to create an organic and inviting world where every path, obstacle, and item feels purposefully placed to guide the player's journey. I adore level design. It looks so amazing when Resident Evil uses narrow corridors, sudden open areas, and blind corners to induce suspense and surprise. The level design manipulates spatial elements to evoke emotions, keeping players on edge. Or when in Journey, developers use of color, light, and shadow further accentuates paths and points of interest. In games, the arrangement of enemies, the architecture of the ruins, and the placement of items all tell a story, providing context and depth to the game world. In Hollow Knight, we can find intricate, interconnected level designs that encourage players to explore, backtrack, and discover new paths as they acquire new abilities. The layout of the levels becomes a puzzle for the player to solve. You can find more information about Spatial Communication in Level Design in this . video Action Games and Shooters. I talked about more calm genres like RPG and story-based adventures, but we had a few extra things when we discussed action games and shooters. In this type of game, we have a specific aspect of level design that's particularly crucial. And this is a . cover placement Cover placement is essential for creating strategic depth in tactical shooters like Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege. The environment offers various cover options, each presenting different advantages and vulnerabilities. This encourages players to think tactically about their position and the position of their enemies. Effective cover placement also enhances player movement. In Gears of War, the cover is not only for protection but also for maneuvering and flanking. The game's 'roadie run' mechanic, combined with the cover system, allows players to quickly move between covers, creating dynamic firefights and opportunities for strategic positioning. The placement of cover can transform an environment into a tactical playground. Call of Duty games, for instance, design levels with a mix of high and low covers, open areas, and choke points. This variety allows for different combat styles, from long-range engagements to close-quarters battles, making each encounter unique. Introducing dynamic or destructible cover adds another layer of strategy. In the Battlefield series, the destructible environments mean that cover is not always permanent, forcing players to adapt their tactics as the battlefield evolves. Cover placement is also crucial in how AI enemies engage the player. In Uncharted, enemies use cover effectively, flanking and suppressing the player, which requires strategic thinking and quick reflexes to overcome. It's essential to balance cover with . Too much cover can make a level feel cramped and restrict movement, while too little can lead to unfair challenges. Games like Halo strike this balance, offering open arenas with strategically placed cover, allowing for ranged battles and close-up engagements. open spaces Conclusion. In summary, motivating player movement is an art form in itself. It combines aesthetics, psychology, and gameplay mechanics to create a world players want to explore and engage in. It's what transforms a game from a series of tasks into a compelling journey.

Designing a Video Game: Principles and Rules of Modern Level Design

The winners of the GAM3 Award 2023 have been crowned! The 19 winners were revealed at a live event presented in partnership with Magic Eden on December 14th, marking a well-deserved close to the year and celebration of how far the web3 gaming industry has come. Following an extremely close competition between the top games in web3 gaming, the GAM3 Awards winners were announced during the 1.5 hours event across livestreaming platforms. Each game, and content creator, managed to top their category to stand out amongst their peers based on their tremendous progress made over the past 12 months. Here is the full list of winners: Game of the Year: Parallel Most Anticipated Game: Shrapnel Best Graphics: Shrapnel Best Action Game: My Pet Hooligan Best Mobile Game: Mighty Action Heroes Best Adventure Game: Big Time Best Casual Game: Pixels Best RPG: Big Time Best Shooter Game: Deadrop Best Strategy Game: Parallel Best Card Game: Parallel Best Multiplayer Game: Big Time Best Esports Game: Deadrop Best Content Creator: Sam Steffanina Best On-Chain Game: Pirate Nation Best Fighting Game: Champions Ascension Best Racing / Sports Game: NFL Rivals People's Choice Award: Star Atlas Games' Choice Award: Wildcard This year’s GAM3 Awards prize pool for the winning games exceeds $2M+ and ranges from cash grants, tech service credits, marketing support, sponsored tournaments, infrastructure support, cloud gaming functionality, and much more from a wide range of partners including Amazon, Magic Eden, AD Gaming, BNB Chain, Immutable, Ultra, Blockchain Gaming Alliance, Naavik, Aethir, and Sequence among others. The winners were decided by a combination of jury and public voting. The jury's votes had a 90% influence, while community votes accounted for the remaining 10%. People’s Choice and Best Content Creator are exceptions to the rule as they are 100% community-voted. Initially, 214 nominated games were put in front of 70+ jury members to help produce the preliminary list of nominees. Based on gameplay, mechanics, replayability potential, "fun" factor, accessibility and overall quality - 40 shortlisted games have made it onto the next round which opened up for community voting from November the 22nd till December 7th. Community voting played a role in deciding the final decisions with over 450K votes from over 50K unique voters. October 13th marked the GAM3 Awards 2023 announcement. Since then, hundreds of web3 games urged their communities to nominate and vote for them across different categories. Thousands of social posts were spread across partners, games, media outlets, content creators, and community members generating over 35M impressions. Parallel and Big Time both swept 3 awards each (tied for most awards) with the former winning the title of Game of the Year. In addition, both Deadrop and Shrapnel shared 2 awards each with the later crowned “Most Anticipated Game” for the second year in a row. The final list of 12 winning games included 4 games built on Polygon, followed by 2 Ethereum L1 titles and an equal share of 1 title across Immutable, Ronin, Arbitrum, Avalanche, Solana and EOS each. The GAM3 Awards 2023 ceremony on December 14th saw a peak viewership of 36K+ CCV and an average of 12.2K viewers throughout the entire show across Twitch alone. Overall, over 50K viewers tuned in live across all livestreaming platforms with the event reaching over 250K+ views in the first 24 hours alone. Viewers got to witness gameplay premiers and exclusive premier trailers from Star Atlas, Blocklords, Infinite Victory, Wilder World, Thetan Rivals, Apeiron, Xociety, Forgotten Playland’s official reveal, Aether Games’ Saga CGI series teaser, as well as the first-ever look at Ultra’s exclusive title, Project Citadel. All of which are a testament to the bright future of web3 gaming as we head into 2024 with the event expected to return next December for its third consecutive edition. About GAM3 Awards GAM3 Awards is the industry’s leading web3 gaming awards. The event, first launched in 2022 and presented by GAM3S.GG, celebrates the highest quality web3 games, rewarding innovation and creativity at the intersection of blockchain and consumer entertainment. Back for its second year with new partners such as Magic Eden, AD Gaming, Amazon and Google, the GAM3 Awards rewards the top game developers & creators with monetary prizes and services valued at over $2M. Learn more: https://gam3awards.com

GAM3 Awards Crowns Best Web3 Games & Creator in 2023

Web3 gaming awards return bigger & better presented by GAM3S.GG & Magic Eden with $2M in Prizes & $100k Community Rewards; voting starts today. The final shortlist of games for the GAM3 Awards 2023 are finally in! The biggest web3 gaming event returns on for the second year with games going head to head for bragging rights and a prize pool of over $2M, to set the scene for 2024. 14 December 2023 GAM3S.GG are bringing back the “oscars of web3 gaming” presented in partnership with Magic Eden this year, as 70+ traditional and web3 gaming experts come together to decide the leading games in this space; with the event sponsored by AD Gaming. Initially, were put in front of to help produce the preliminary list of nominees. Based on gameplay, mechanics, replayability potential, "fun" factor, accessibility and overall quality - have made it onto the next round which opens up for community voting today, November the 22nd. 214 nominated games 70+ jury members 40 shortlisted games In comparison, the 2022 awards saw 106 nominees in its , with the number of qualified games with playable versions more than doubled - reflecting the tremendous growth of web3 gaming throughout the past year. inaugural edition The 40 shortlisted games spanned 9 blockchain networks, with Arbitrum making an awards debut this year with 4 shortlisted finalists.The top five networks represented in the final shortlists are Polygon, Ethereum, Immutable X, Arbitrum and Avalanche. Bringing together industry leaders from both traditional and blockchain gaming allows the awards to maintain a balanced sense of expectation, caution and excitement. This year the jury consists of executives and leaders from Amazon, Google, Ubisoft, Microsoft, and Samsung, in addition to web3 gaming ecosystems, VCs, media outlets and content creators. This year’s prize pool for the winning games exceeds $2M+ and ranges from cash grants, tech service credits, marketing support, sponsored tournaments, infrastructure support, cloud gaming functionality, and much more from a wide range of partners including Amazon, Magic Eden, AD Gaming, Ultra, Blockchain Gaming Alliance, Naavik, Aethir, and Horizon among others. The 40 finalists are advancing to the second phase of the GAM3 Awards, where the decision-making process involves both jury members and public voting. In this phase, the jury's votes has a 90% influence, while community votes will account for the remaining 10%, effectively giving the public a role akin to having 7 seats on the jury in terms of impact, which could very well act as a tiebreaker or shift the balance in favor of some finalists over others. However, for specific categories such as the ‘ ’ and ‘ ’, the outcome relies solely on community votes. Both categories have already amassed , giving the spotlight to 500+ games and 300+ creators from all over the world as fan favorites. Additionally, the is determined by shortlisted game studios voting for what is essentially, their own version of game of the year. People’s Choice Award Best Content Creator over 50K nominations ‘Games’ Choice Award’ This year, several games stood out to the jury as Big Time, Wildcard, Parallel and Deadrop shared the highest number of nominations with 5 each; followed by Illuvium and MetalCore with 4 nominations each. The final GAM3 Awards livestreamed ceremony is scheduled for December 14th, 2023 to be hosted on Twitch, YouTube and X among other streaming platforms; with gameplay premiers and exclusive premieres trailers already confirmed from Star Atlas, The Unioverse, among other titles. Last year’s event saw the first public premieres and exclusive footage from several games including Mythic Protocol Riftstorm, Mighty Action Heroes, and NFL Rivals - which has since amassed over 3M+ downloads on their mobile game. Lastly, the event is also set to reward community members, voters and viewers for their participation. Magic Eden is set to host an exclusive free mint for voters which provides early access to future mints, gaming raffles and exclusive quests. In addition, community voters and viewers have an opportunity to win rewards from a prize pool worth over $100k USD in prizes ranging from in-game items, early access passes, gaming PCs, gaming consoles and accessories. The final nominees are: Game of the Year Parallel Big Time Deadrop Wildcard NFL Rivals For the full list of nominees, visit . Final voting starts November 22nd and runs until December 1st, directly on ’s platform on the page. gam3awards.com GAM3S.GG GAM3 Awards Stay tuned for exclusive content, jury interviews, finalist announcements, and more ahead of the December 14 ceremony. For more information, please visit: . gam3awards.com

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