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            Crafting Compelling Meta Games: Strategies for Engaging Player Experiences
            August 27, 2022
            GDD
            What is GDD? Let’s propose an Enhanced Club Feature for Hill Climb Racing 2
            August 22, 2023

            Crafting Collaboration: User-Centric Design for a New Feature in Gardenscapes

            November 12, 2022
            Categories
            • Cornerstones
            • Game Development
            Tags

            Hello guys. It’s Didar and today as many of you asked, I decided to demonstrate a player-centric design in action. we already know how to write a good GDD, but here we try to show how the rules and laws of player-centric design can affect our new feature. in other words how and why do we have to design the new feature based on the principles of player-centric design? As always let’s bring and work on a perfect example and show how we add a new feature that follows player-centric design.

            Gardenscapes, a game that has captured the hearts of millions, truly is one of a kind. Its enchanting gardens, engaging challenges, amazing feedback loops, and captivating characters have created a virtual haven for players seeking respite from the ordinary. However, the quest for improvement never ceases and there are many things that can be improved in this game which is not our focus here.

            So the same quest led us to imagine a new feature that doesn’t merely introduce mechanics but cultivates a sense of unity and collaboration among players, the very essence of what gaming communities thrive upon. now I must admit I never played Garden Spaces except for analyzing it but once the neighbour’s little girl came to me saying: “Hey Mohsen, are not you a game creator? Make this so I can play with my friends here”, well is not it lovely? Playrix what are you waiting for?

            So here I propose a new feature. Welcome to the world of “Collaborative Garden Design and Sharing”, a visionary addition rooted in the principles of player-centric design. This is our response to a resounding desire expressed by a real gamer: the longing for more interaction, more shared moments, and more avenues for creative expression.

            Our goal? To transform Gardenscapes into not just a game, but a thriving hub of companionship where players co-create, bond, and flourish together.

            So In the sections ahead, we answer why and how player-centric design principles infuse every facet of the “Collaborative Garden Design and Sharing” feature. The paths of player desires and game design converge, forging a trail toward a more immersive, collaborative, and socially engaging gameplay experience.

            • Please note that I’m not writing a GDD or definite features, I’m merely proposing a feature and explaining the art of player-centric design using some examples of what could happen in the game.
            • There are some other handbooks of mine closely related to this subject which I encourage you to read: https://beastoon.com/category/game-development

            Proposal

            Collaborative Garden Design and Sharing Feature

            Overview:

            I propose the introduction of a captivating new feature, “Collaborative Garden Design and Sharing,” to elevate the player experience in Gardenscapes. This innovative addition will foster a sense of community, enhance player engagement, and unleash creative expression within the game’s virtual world. By enabling players to collaboratively design shared garden spaces, we aim to create a dynamic and interactive environment that resonates with diverse player preferences and aspirations.

            Feature Description:

            • Collaborative Garden Alliances: Players can form alliances with friends or fellow players, with each alliance having a shared garden space for collaborative design and decoration.
            • Designing Together: Alliance members can contribute their creativity to design various sections of the shared garden, making their individual touches visible in the collaborative space.
            • Collaborative Challenges: Unique challenges are assigned to alliances, requiring members to work together to accomplish specific tasks within the shared garden. Successful completion earns rewards for all members.
            • Resource Sharing: Players can share decorative items, plants, and structures within their alliance, encouraging cooperation and assisting one another in completing garden designs.
            • Showcasing Gardens: Shared gardens are showcased in a communal area, allowing players to visit, admire, and interact with elements in other players’ creations.

            Benefits:

            • Community Building: The feature promotes social interaction and collaboration, cultivating a sense of community among players.
            • Creative Expression: Collaborative garden design allows players to merge their creative talents, resulting in visually stunning shared spaces that reflect the alliance’s personality.
            • Incentives for Engagement: Collaborative challenges and resource sharing incentivize players to actively participate and contribute to their alliance’s garden.
            • Dynamic Gameplay: Regular challenges and the ability to explore other players’ gardens ensure ongoing engagement and excitement.
            • Player Retention: By fostering social connections and collaborative gameplay, the feature contributes to higher player retention rates and sucess in other KPIs

            Understanding Players’ Desires


            Player Personas

            Imagine creating a detailed profile for different types of players – that’s a player persona. Personas help us step into players’ shoes and understand their preferences, motivations, and goals. They’re like blueprints guiding us to design features players will truly love.

            Why Player Personas Matter:

            • Insightful Navigation: Player personas guide us in creating features that resonate with specific player groups.
            • Human Connection: Instead of just seeing numbers, we see players with unique preferences and needs.
            • Tailored Experiences: By understanding personas, we can customize gameplay experiences to match what players want.

            In Action: “Collaborative Garden Design and Sharing” Feature:

            • Player Personas Guide Us: By knowing different players’ desires, we can cater to diverse needs.
            • Example: “Emily the Socialite” loves collaborating with friends and showcasing her creativity.
            • Example: “David the Explorer” seeks adventure and finds joy in discovering shared gardens.
            • By Design: Our new feature brings Emily’s and David’s desires to life, encouraging collaboration and exploration.

            As we craft the feature, player personas serve as a compass, ensuring that every step we take aligns with what players truly want. Let’s dive deeper into how these desires shape the heart of the “Collaborative Garden Design and Sharing” experience.

            Crafting Player Stories

            Player-Centric Narratives: Weaving Dreams Together

            As we immerse ourselves in player-centric design, we dive into the heart of player stories – narratives that encapsulate the spirit of collaboration, creativity, and social interaction. These stories breathe life into the “Collaborative Garden Design and Sharing” feature, painting a vivid picture of the experiences players aspire to have.

            Defining Player Stories:

            • Essence of Experience: Player stories capture the very essence of what the new feature aims to deliver.
            • Uniquely Tailored: Each story reflects different facets of collaboration, creativity, and connecting with others.
            • Emotional Connection: These stories aren’t just scenarios; they’re pathways to players’ emotions and desires.

            Showcasing Diverse Experiences:

            • Emily and Jane’s Dream Oasis: Emily and Jane, friends separated by distance, collaborate to create a tranquil garden that symbolizes their bond.
            • The Great Garden Expo: Players worldwide unite in an expo of creativity, showcasing gardens that reflect their cultural roots and personal stories.
            • Community Blossom: Neighbors in Gardenscapes’ virtual world transform their shared garden into a tapestry of experiences, each contribution enhancing the space.

            A Glimpse into Possibilities:

            • Emily’s Adventure: Emily invites fellow players to explore her dream garden, fostering connections and sparking conversations.
            • Jane’s Greenhouse: Jane’s garden is a canvas for shared creativity, where players combine elements to craft unique garden sections.
            • Global Garden Gallery: Players’ gardens become a showcase of global talent, a testament to collaborative creativity transcending borders.

            As we embrace player stories, we create not just features, but living narratives that resonate with players’ desires. In the pages ahead, we’ll explore these stories and witness how they shape the design of Gardenscapes’ collaborative garden experience.

            Empathy-Driven Mechanics

            Transforming Desires into Mechanics: A Player-Centric Approach

            With player personas and stories as our guides, we venture into the realm of empathy-driven mechanics. Here, the magic happens as players’ motivations and desires seamlessly blend with the fabric of the “Collaborative Garden Design and Sharing” feature.

            Translating Desires into Mechanics:

            • Player Motivations at the Core: The core desires of players are the building blocks for feature mechanics.
            • Empathetic Crafting: We craft mechanics that cater to players’ longing for collaboration, creativity, and connection.
            • Designing for Dreams: Mechanics are designed to turn players’ dreams into interactive experiences.

            Collaborative Challenges:

            • Fostering Unity: Challenges encourage players to collaborate on tasks that enhance the shared garden.
            • Example: “Blossom Festival Challenge” requires players to collectively design a festival area, sparking creativity.
            • Shared Success: Completing challenges rewards players, strengthening their bond and sense of achievement.

            Resource Sharing:

            • Unity in Sharing: Players share resources like plants and structures, fostering collaboration.
            • Example: “Resource Exchange” allows players to gift items to friends, helping each other flourish.
            • Collective Growth: The more players share, the more vibrant and diverse their shared garden becomes.

            Shared Garden Spaces:

            • Community Canvas: Shared garden spaces become a community canvas for players’ creativity.
            • Example: “Friendship Garden” lets players collectively design a garden oasis, each contributing a unique touch.
            • Expressive Interaction: Players engage, explore, and admire one another’s creations, igniting interaction.

            In our pursuit of empathy-driven mechanics, player needs and aspirations are the driving force. We’re not just creating a feature; we’re designing a stage for players to co-create, connect, and cultivate their dreams. As we delve deeper, we’ll witness how these mechanics blend seamlessly with player desires to create an experience that’s more than a game – it’s a shared journey of creativity and companionship.

            Iterative Prototyping with Players

            From Vision to Reality: The Power of Iteration

            In our journey of crafting the “Collaborative Garden Design and Sharing” feature, the process of iterative prototyping plays a pivotal role. This process allows us to transform concepts into tangible experiences through early versions and player testing, ultimately shaping an experience that resonates deeply with players.

            Early Prototypes and Player Testing:

            • Building Blocks: Early prototypes are the foundational versions of the feature, capturing its essence.
            • Player Participation: These prototypes are tested by players, their valuable insights shaping the evolution.
            • Real-World Insights: Player testing unveils how mechanics interact with real player behaviors.

            Listening to Player Feedback:

            • Informed Adjustments: Valuable feedback helps us refine mechanics, addressing pain points and enhancing strengths.
            • Co-Creation: Players become co-creators, shaping the feature as their insights mold its evolution.

            Fine-Tuning for Resonance:

            • Resonating Mechanics: Feedback refines mechanics to ensure they hit the right notes for players.
            • Example: Player suggestions lead to the introduction of additional collaborative challenges.
            • Enhancing Engagement: Iterative adjustments enhance the engagement potential of the feature.

            A Shared Journey:

            • Learning from Players: Every iteration brings us closer to creating an experience players truly crave.
            • Empowering Play: Player-driven refinements empower players to mold the feature to their desires.
            • Continual Evolution: The iterative process ensures that the feature is shaped by players’ voices.

            Through iterative prototyping, player testing, and active feedback loops, the “Collaborative Garden Design and Sharing” feature evolves. It transcends initial concepts, becoming a living embodiment of players’ desires, ideas, and creativity.

            Co-Creation for Authenticity

            Shaping Together: The Authenticity of Co-Creation

            In our quest for an authentic and resonant player experience, we turn to the power of co-creation. By involving players in the design process, we ensure that the “Collaborative Garden Design and Sharing” feature is not just a game mechanic, but a space that truly reflects the desires and aspirations of those who bring it to life.

            Involving Players in Design:

            • A Shared Vision: Players become architects of the feature, shaping it to align with their expectations.
            • Player-Driven Decisions: Feedback guides design choices, ensuring they resonate with players’ perspectives.
            • Authenticity in Design: By involving players, we infuse the feature with their genuine wants and needs.

            Shaping the Look and Feel:

            • Garden Aesthetics: Player feedback influences visual elements, from plant choices to design themes.
            • Sensory Experience: Feedback shapes the ambience of shared garden spaces, reflecting player preferences.
            • Immersive Worlds: Players’ inputs transform gardens into immersive worlds, each reflecting a unique narrative.

            Crafting Authentic Engagement:

            • Player-Generated Content: Co-creation leads to content that’s relevant and appealing to the player community.
            • Shared Identity: As players influence aesthetics, a collective identity emerges within the virtual landscape.
            • Living Testimony: The collaborative spaces become a testament to players’ creative expressions and shared visions.

            Feedback-Fueled Evolution:

            • Evolving Together: Co-creation ensures the feature evolves in harmony with player desires.
            • Feedback Iterations: Ongoing feedback loops refine the feature, aligning it more closely with players’ expectations.
            • Symbiotic Relationship: Developers and players become partners in crafting an authentic and engaging experience.

            As we embark on the co-creative journey, we see the feature evolve from a developer’s concept to a shared creation. The essence of authenticity is not just a catchphrase; it’s a promise we deliver upon by valuing players’ insights, opinions, and creative contributions. As we peer into the heart of this dynamic process, we witness how Gardenscapes’ virtual landscapes bloom with authenticity and shared imagination, all nurtured by the hands of both players and creators.

            Inclusivity and Accessibility

            Welcoming All: Designing for Diversity

            As the “Collaborative Garden Design and Sharing” feature blossoms, our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility stands at its core. By ensuring that the feature caters to a wide spectrum of player preferences and abilities, we create a space where every player can find their own unique path to engagement and creative expression.

            Catering to Diverse Preferences:

            • Varied Mechanics: Inclusivity is woven into mechanics, allowing different playstyles to thrive.
            • Collaboration or Solo: Players can choose to collaborate actively or design their garden independently.
            • Dynamic Paths: Inclusivity means no single approach dominates; every player’s journey is valued.

            Customization for All:

            • Tailored Creations: Customization options let players craft their gardens in alignment with their preferences.
            • Creative Freedom: Inclusivity means players can express their creativity within their comfort zone.
            • Cultural Diversity: Customizable elements reflect players’ cultural backgrounds and individual tastes.

            Empowering Accessibility:

            • Clear Interfaces: User-friendly interfaces ensure ease of use for players of all abilities.
            • Color and Contrast: Thoughtful color schemes make the feature accessible to players with visual impairments.
            • Sensory Experience: Accommodations ensure an immersive experience, regardless of sensory abilities.

            A Tapestry of Unity:

            • Unity in Diversity: The feature becomes a tapestry where all players’ contributions enrich the whole.
            • Inclusive Communities: Diverse player experiences foster a sense of belonging and shared journeys.
            • Resonating with All: Inclusivity resonates because it transforms the feature into a canvas for every player’s story.

            Crafting an Inclusive Landscape:

            • Player-Driven: Inclusivity is shaped by player preferences, reflecting their diverse aspirations.
            • Caring for All: By crafting inclusivity into every aspect, we cultivate a space where everyone thrives.
            • Diverse Bonds: Through diverse connections, the Gardenscapes community becomes stronger than ever.

            As we continue the journey we understand that creating a meaningful experience requires understanding and catering to the uniqueness of every player. The “Collaborative Garden Design and Sharing” feature becomes not just a feature, but a place where diverse voices and creativity flourish, painting a picture of unity through diversity.

            Balancing Creative Freedom and Progression

            Harmony of Expression and Advancement

            In the realm of the “Collaborative Garden Design and Sharing” feature, a delicate balance unfolds. the balance of creative freedom with the momentum of game progression. This balance ensures that while players enjoy the liberty to express themselves, the overarching objectives of the game remain intact.

            Empowering Creative Freedom:

            • Unleashing Imagination: The feature offers a canvas where players can let their creativity flourish.
            • Endless Possibilities: Limitless customization options allow players to shape gardens according to their vision.
            • Personal Stories: The feature becomes a medium for players to tell their unique stories through design.

            Maintaining Game Progression:

            • Guiding Objectives: Core game goals continue to steer the experience, offering purpose and direction.
            • Balanced Challenges: Collaborative challenges align with game progression, merging creativity and objectives.
            • Rewarding Endeavors: Player achievements within the feature contribute to overall game advancement.

            Fusion of Expression and Achievement:

            • Player-Centric Balance: The balance respects players’ need for both creative expression and a sense of accomplishment.
            • Example: A shared garden’s beauty contributes to both the aesthetics and overall game success.
            • Satisfaction of Progress: Advancing in the feature echoes the satisfaction of progressing through the game.

            A Holistic Experience:

            • Community Building: The feature becomes a hub where players interact, share, and contribute.
            • Reflecting Personal Growth: Gardens evolve as players’ skills and creativity expand, mirroring their journey.
            • Unity in Diversity: Balance ensures that individual stories collectively contribute to a thriving community.

            Seamless Integration:

            • Intricate Connection: Creative freedom and progression are intricately woven into the feature’s fabric.
            • Shared Vision: The balance aligns with players’ aspirations and the game’s overarching vision.
            • A Journey Together: Players experience the joy of creative freedom while collectively progressing within the game.

            As we navigate this balance between expression and advancement, we realize that the beauty of the feature lies in its ability to provide players with both creative fulfillment and a sense of achievement. It’s a dance of individuality and unity, where players’ diverse expressions harmonize to create a virtual landscape that’s not just a testament to their creativity, but also a reflection of their collective journey.

            Monetization Aligned with Engagement

            A Balanced Approach: Monetization with Integrity

            In our pursuit of player-centered design, the monetization aspect takes on a role of responsibility and transparency. It’s a realm where we aim to enhance collaborative experiences without detracting from player enjoyment, ensuring that premium options harmonize with the core values of the “Collaborative Garden Design and Sharing” feature.

            Enhancing Collaborative Experiences:

            • Value-Driven Choices: Premium options are designed to add value to collaborative gameplay experiences.
            • Example: Premium alliance themes offer unique design elements, fostering creativity.
            • Complementary to Gameplay: Premium features enhance, not replace, the core collaborative interactions.

            Crafting Premium Options:

            • Cosmetic Enhancements: Premium options include exclusive cosmetic items, allowing players to personalize gardens.
            • Non-Essential, Desirable: Premium choices are non-essential for gameplay but desirable for enhancing aesthetics.
            • Aesthetic Amplification: Premium items amplify player creativity, enabling unique and striking garden designs.

            Transparency and Choice:

            • Informed Decisions: Players receive clear information about premium options and their benefits.
            • Ethical Monetization: Monetization respects player autonomy, providing choices that align with the experience.
            • Example: Players can choose to unlock premium plants that add a touch of luxury to gardens.

            Preserving Player Enjoyment:

            • No Pay-to-Win: Premium options are cosmetic in nature, ensuring no unfair advantage.
            • Collaboration First: Monetization respects the collaborative essence, with no exclusivity based on purchases.
            • Shared Growth: Premium elements contribute to the shared experience, benefiting all players.

            Harmony of Engagement and Sustainability:

            • Balanced Engagement: Premium options contribute to the player experience, enhancing without overshadowing.
            • Supporting Development: Monetization helps sustain ongoing development, enabling continuous improvements.
            • Player-Centric Commitment: Premium choices are a testament to our commitment to a fair and player-centric ecosystem.

            As we navigate the monetization landscape, we hold steadfast to the principles of engagement and integrity. Our premium options serve as a means to enhance the experience for players who choose them, while preserving the collaborative spirit that defines the feature. Through this balanced approach, we create a space where enjoyment and sustainability walk hand in hand, ensuring a vibrant and player-centric future for Gardenscapes.

            Didar
            Didar

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            At Beastoon, we're driven by creativity and innovation. Our team of experts is dedicated to bringing your ideas to life through captivating animations, stunning visuals, and engaging experiences. With a focus on quality and attention to detail, we ensure that every project we undertake is a masterpiece. Join us on this exciting journey and let's create something extraordinary together.

            • Gamification for Real-World Impact: Studying ‘My Lovely Planet’
            • Deconstruction and System Analysis: How the Mechanics Work in Hill Climb Racing 2
            • What is GDD? Let’s propose an Enhanced Club Feature for Hill Climb Racing 2
            • Crafting Collaboration: User-Centric Design for a New Feature in Gardenscapes
            • Crafting Compelling Meta Games: Strategies for Engaging Player Experiences
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