Player engagement is important - the backbone of any game. As game developers, we often get caught up in designing new features and excitedly pouring what we think works in the game, only to realize that it just isn't fun. It's tricky to get it right - all our players have different definitions of fun - while some may prefer a thought-provoking and insighful puzzle game, some might take more enjoyment in a fast-paced shooter packed with action and chaos. As game developers, our mission is to appeal best to our targeted audience while still retaining the creativity and spark that makes our game unique.

This balance can often be difficult to maintain. It's tempting to gravitate towards the norm and follow in the footsteps of the thousands of others who took the same journey. It's tempting to stick to what we know and what we have been taught, and uphold the stereotypical values in game design. It's only when we break free of these roots and create something truly unique that we're able to accurately capture our audience and cultivate a community of passionate, enthusiastic gamers.

I pour as much soul and personality into my games - and this one is certainly no exception - as humanly possible. I sneak in cultural references when I can, add sneaky hints and mentions of characters between games, and fill the screen with bright hand-drawn illustrations. In fact, I often find it difficult to choose the right category on my game page on Itch. I'll get a couple preloaded category suggestions - platformer, puzzle game, RPG, etc, but none seem to ever fit my game. I prefer to create a category of my own.

As humans, we like seeing something new. Whether it's a new video on our YouTube feed or a new brand redesign, we crave change. While designing A Game About Decisions, I wanted to create something bold and unordinary. Something no one has ever seen before.

So, remember this - don't take the beaten path. Experiment. Discover. Try something new. It might lead you somewhere you never expected. Every opportunity is just a chance for many more.

Thanks for reading! Read more of my devlogs here:

00 - Devlog Overview - Homepage

01 - What Makes A Game Feel Unique?

02 - The Magic Of Sound Effects

03 - Here's A List Of All The Goofy, Wacky Easter Eggs I Included.

04 -My Interpretation Of The Theme - & Themes In General

05 - The Most Important Part of Game Design - Community

06 - The Psychology of Loading Screens & Intros

07 - I Planned My Entire Game In Less Than A Minute - Here's How