Quick Guide to Game Loops: Exploring Astro Bot (2024)
A Quick Look at Short and Long-Term Goals in Game Design
In game design, game loops define what a player does within different intervals — seconds, minutes, or hours. Each time frame offers specific goals that keep the player engaged and progressing.
Let’s briefly explore how these loops work:
Per Second Goals:
These are the smallest, most immediate tasks that players engage with, such as basic movement, jumping, shooting, or collecting. The goal is to keep the player occupied with frequent, low-effort interactions that drive them forward moment-to-moment.
Astro Bot Example:
- Move Astro Bot through the environment using basic jumping and navigating.
- Avoid hazards like enemies or traps that appear instantly.
- Collect coins and other small collectibles scattered throughout the level.
Minute Goals:
Within a few minutes, the game introduces slightly more complex objectives. This could be finding hidden items, solving simple challenges, or interacting with new elements or NPCs in the environment.
Astro Bot Example:
- Search for and rescue bots hidden throughout the level, keeping an eye on their locations.
- Complete platforming sequences like jumping between moving platforms or solving quick environmental puzzles.
- Continue collecting coins and items as you move forward.
15-Minute Goals:
At this stage, the game presents larger, more impactful challenges. Completing levels, solving puzzles, or facing stronger enemies become the focus. This keeps the player engaged in a loop that feels rewarding over a longer period.
Astro Bot Example:
- Reach the end of the level and rescue all bots to complete the stage.
- Solve environmental puzzles to unlock paths or reach hidden bots.
- Defeat a tougher enemy / mini-boss requiring better skills to beat.
Hour Goals:
Hour-long goals often involve completing significant portions of a game, such as finishing multiple levels or sections. Players focus on mastering mechanics and overcoming challenges, aiming to achieve a sense of progress and accomplishment. These goals typically encourage exploration and revisiting earlier areas to enhance skills and collect items.
Astro Bot Example:
- Rescue all bots across multiple levels, going back to previous stages if necessary.
- Complete an entire world, ensuring all levels and their bots are finished.
- Master tricky platforming sections by improving precision and timing.
Long-Term Goals:
Long-term goals center on achieving comprehensive mastery of the game. This includes reaching 100% completion, unlocking all content, and refining skills through repeated play. Players are motivated to explore every aspect of the game, revisit levels to improve performance, and tackle new challenges, fostering a deeper connection to the game world.
Astro Bot Example:
- Achieve 100% completion by rescuing every bot across all levels and worlds.
- Replay levels to perfect runs and collecting every item.
- Unlock new worlds after completing each set of levels, continuing the bot-rescue mission.
Thanks for your time!
Comment: This article was mostly written by ChatGPT and reviewed and edited by me. I wrote it after I recently completed this topic in the Epic Games Game Design Certificate program. I hope you find the insights valuable!
