100 Video Game Design Tips & Tricks #3

3. Reward & Punishment

A carefully balanced game will evoke a “Flow State” in the player. The dance between rewards and punishment is part of this dance.

both serve to motivate the player. Rewards should be visibile to the player and often enough to drive engagment. Punishments should be severe enough to promote skill growth while not too severe so as to create extreme player frustration.