Video game development usually revolves around game mechanics and gameplay. You must have heard gamers talk about the game mechanics of a certain game being exceptional, or the gameplay of the XYZ game being too linear. So what are these game mechanics and gameplay, and how are they different from each other?
Game mechanics and gameplay are the fundamentals of a good video game. They define whether the game will be a success or not. And a balance between both is necessary to capture the audience on a global level.
Whether you are a gamer or you’re diving into the development aspect of games, understanding the difference between these two terms is necessary. Judging a game’s performance will not be easy without knowing the difference. The same goes for developers; they must know the difference between the two terms to curate an outstanding game.
This blog aims to introduce you to both game mechanics and gameplay in a very extensive manner, looking acutely at all the aspects of both terms. Apart from that, we will also explore the relationship between the two and how both contribute independently to the success of a game.
Table of Contents
The game mechanics comprise all the fundamental cornerstones of a game. All the designing of characters, defining the rules, how the characters behave, and the combat system in the game are part of the game mechanics. Players interact with the game through the game mechanics. The whole environment of a game, from themes to storyline, is made by combining intricate elements which are known as game mechanics.
Game mechanics allow players to behave in a certain way in the game. For example, adding swords and parkour in the Prince of Persia video game is part of its game mechanics. Therefore, you cannot shoot bullets in Prince of Persia, because it is not part of the game mechanics.
Game mechanics include a plethora of things. Almost all the things that you can imagine doing in the game are part of some of the game mechanics, be it walking, shooting, driving a car, or anything. We will list down all the major mechanics that you can come across in a game.
From basic movements like walking, jumping, swimming, and running to driving a vehicle, all these movements of the protagonist or other elements in the game come under movement mechanics.
You are jumping from a plane in PUBG and landing anywhere on the map is also a part of gameplay mechanics. Hence, flying, sailing a boat, or even smaller things like picking up a weapon come under movement mechanics.
Then we have combat mechanics, which you can find in almost every video game. Usually, they are prevalent in RPG or action-adventure games. In simpler games, you won’t necessarily find combat mechanics. In short, if there’s any sort of combat in the game, which is highly likely, it is developed using combat mechanics.
Mechanics like attacking someone, be it by your fist, knife, or weapon, or dodging an attack, are part of combat mechanics. Certain games take combat mechanics to a whole other level, for example, Kratos in God of War uses Blades of Chaos, which is also a part of combat mechanics.
Anything that is anywhere related to combat in a game comes under combat mechanics. Special abilities like Rasengan, throwing Shuriken in Naruto, shooting arrows in Tomb Raider, or loading dual Berettas in Max Payne, are part of the game’s combat mechanics.
Ever wondered where all these in-game items come from? Yes, you got the answer, all the in-game items, the skins of weapons, clothes, tools, and health items are all part of the inventory mechanics.
The gacha system in the famous Genshin Impact, the weapons in the Call of Duty franchise, and several aesthetics in PUBG come under the inventory mechanics umbrella.
Certain games follow progression mechanics, progressing through levels and acquiring new assets and abilities. There are certain games where progression mechanics are deeply instilled, as in, you only get certain rewards after completing a set of challenges or levels.
A very fine example of progression mechanics is Hill Climb Racing, you start with a basic vehicle, collect coins, and cross levels by leveraging the coins in a progressive manner.
The resources planted in the game are also mechanics of the game that come under resource management. With the advent of blockchain technology and its collaboration with the gaming landscape, it has become mandatory for developers to create resources that hold value in a non-volatile virtual economy.
In games like Minecraft, Roblox, and Axie Infinity, players require resources to build structures, which are an integral part of the gameplay of these games.
One of the most crucial parts of the game mechanics is developing the economics of the game. Economy mechanics include the management and trading of currencies or in-game assets.
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Game mechanics are everything that the game is, there can’t be a video game without game mechanics. Let’s understand in detail why it matters.
Game mechanics let players interact with the elements of the game and even control them. The popular title Red Dead Redemption II, developed by Rockstar Games, has intricate game mechanics, like the use of horses as a source of transportation. The horse is an element of the game and riding it is a part of the game mechanics.
The game mechanics determine the difficulty of the game. Developers need to tune the game mechanics to make the game less or more complex for the users. There can be a lot of variation in jumping, a simple jump comes under simple game mechanics, however, mechanics like parkour and jumping from buildings add complexity and make the game more challenging.
Game mechanics bring innovation to the game. All the new things that we experience in a new game are products of game mechanics.
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Now let’s talk about gameplay, imagine gathering all the game mechanics and aligning them in order, that would give you the title’s gameplay. Whatever you experience in the game, or the interactions that you have with the elements, form the gameplay of the game. Gameplay is the end result after connecting all the game mechanics. Hence, game mechanics and gameplay go hand in hand. Gameplay is all the game mechanics combined and the experience you derive from it.
It is not just the action sequences that you enter while combining combat mechanics, it is more about the kind of emotions it triggers inside you, and how you feel about those emotions encompasses the gameplay of a game.
Unlike game mechanics, the gameplay is influenced by a lot of elements. Whether the gameplay is engaging or not is decided by factors like how challenging the game is, the pace of the game, narrative style, exploration depth, and reward system among others.
The difficulty curve of the game, obstacles, puzzles, or enemies that players face are part of the challenge of a game. In games like Dark Souls, the challenge is central to the gameplay experience, with tough enemies and difficult boss fights that test player skills.
Pacing defines how the game keeps players engaged through the flow of activities and challenges. In The Witcher 3, the pacing is varied, with action-packed combat segments followed by slower, more narrative-driven quests.
The storyline and character development, which can heavily impact the emotional aspect of gameplay, is called the narrative. Games like The Last of Us focus on narrative-driven gameplay, where the story plays a pivotal role in shaping the player’s experience.
Exploration allows players to discover new areas or interact with the game world. In Skyrim, exploration is a key gameplay element, with vast open-world environments filled with secrets and side quests.
Players are rewarded for completing tasks, missions, or challenges. Loot-based games like Diablo III or Borderlands feature randomized rewards that keep players coming back for more.
Players also hold the ability to make meaningful choices that affect the game’s outcome. In Mass Effect, player choices influence the narrative and the relationships with characters, allowing for varied experiences based on decisions.
| Game Mechanics | Gameplay |
| Rules, actions, and systems that govern how a game works. | The overall experience and flow of interacting with those rules. |
| Defines what players can do in the game. | Describes how players feel while doing those things. |
| Examples: Movement, combat, inventory, progression systems. | Examples: Story, challenge, pacing, exploration, rewards. |
| Focused on the functional side of game design. | Focused on the emotional and experiential side of playing a game. |
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While game mechanics are the fundamental components that drive the game, gameplay is how those mechanics are experienced in action. The two are deeply intertwined—without mechanics, there would be no gameplay, and without engaging gameplay, the mechanics would feel hollow or uninteresting.
For example, in a first-person shooter (FPS), the game mechanics may include the shooting system, the movement controls, and the health regeneration system. However, the gameplay is the overall experience of how these mechanics come together to provide a challenging, immersive experience for the player, including how they interact with the environment, the AI enemies, and the level design.
A game can have strong mechanics but fail in gameplay if those mechanics don’t come together in a way that is enjoyable or engaging. Conversely, a game with innovative gameplay can hide simple mechanics under an engaging narrative or exciting challenges to keep players entertained.
Understanding the difference between game mechanics and gameplay allows developers to design games that are fun, engaging, and accessible.
By tweaking mechanics and gameplay, developers can create new and unique experiences. For example, AR and VR games introduce new mechanics, fundamentally changing the nature of gameplay.
Balancing mechanics with gameplay ensures that players stay engaged. A mismatch between the two, like overly complex mechanics or monotonous gameplay, can make the game frustrating or boring.
Game mechanics and gameplay are two sides of the same coin in game design, as one is incomplete without the other. Mechanics provide the foundation, while gameplay transforms those mechanics into an experience that captivates players. To create memorable and successful games, designers must focus on how these elements interact and contribute to the player’s overall experience. By understanding and mastering both, developers can create games that are not only technically sound but also fun, immersive, and enjoyable for players.
Developers at BR Softech hold an expert understanding of Game Mechanics and Gameplay, which makes us proficient in creating games that stand out! Contact us by clicking the button below.
Ans: Gameplay is referred to the experience that you get while playing a game, including its mechanics, challenges, rules, and player interactions. The overall summation is called the gameplay.
Ans: Game mechanics are the rules and systems that define how a game functions, such as movement, combat, resource management, and objectives.
Ans: Game mechanics shape the player experience by determining how characters interact with the game world, how challenges are presented, and how progress is achieved.
