MyLeoNes™

Game Designer — Pretender

Invent rules and levels that are fun and fair. Game designers decide how a game works: the goal, the rules, the levels and how hard it gets. They build quick prototypes, watch real players test them, listen to feedback and change things until the game is fun, fair and accessible.

Missions

  1. Teach a new move

    At the fictional Pixel Orchard studio, your game adds a new move: the double jump. Players must learn it without reading a manual.

    Put in order · ~3 min

  2. Fun and fair, or frustrating?

    The Pixel Orchard team has a list of design ideas for a new game for ages 8 and up. You review them before the next build.

    Sort into groups · ~4 min

  3. Run a playtest

    Mia, a fictional 10-year-old, is testing your new level at Pixel Orchard. After two minutes she's stuck at the same wall and getting annoyed.

    Decisions · ~4 min

  4. Review the design doc

    Your fictional studio is making a free puzzle game for kids. A teammate wrote the monetisation section of the design document. You review it.

    Spot the issues · ~3 min

  5. 48-hour game jam

    Your fictional team enters a 48-hour game jam. You have 12 blocks of work time to share between programming, art, sound, playtesting and rest.

    Share a budget · ~4 min

  6. Planning update 1.1

    Your fictional game launched last month. Players love it but report problems. The team has 10 points of effort for the next update. Choose what goes in.

    Sprint board · ~4 min

What they do

Game designers decide how a game works: the goal, the rules, the levels and how hard it gets. They build quick prototypes, watch real players test them, listen to feedback and change things until the game is fun, fair and accessible.

Skills

  • Logical thinking — Following steps and rules precisely.
  • Empathy — Understanding how others feel.
  • Adaptability — Changing the plan when things change.

Typical tasks

  • Write the rules of a level
  • Run a playtest and take notes
  • Balance difficulty

Tools

  • Paper prototypes
  • Game engine
  • Playtest notes

Responsibilities

  • Make games everyone can play
  • Respect players' time and money

Myth or reality?

Myth: Game designers play games all day.
Reality: They mostly write rules, test, take notes and fix what isn't fun.

Myth: Harder always means better.
Reality: Good games teach step by step and let players choose their challenge.

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