Depth through new systems: When the game wasn’t engaging, we added new systems such as having downed planes drop powerups. A more traditional approach might be to manually create more detailed scenarios with surprise plot points where a pack of planes pop out of a hidden cloud when you collide with a pre-determined trigger. However, by instead focusing on new general systems, we created an entire universe of fascinating tactical possibilities. Do you head for the heal powerup or do you turn to face the Dart at 6 o’clock? That’s a meaningful decision driven by systems, not a cheap authored thrill. (via Lost Garden: Steambirds: Survival: Goodbye Handcrafted Levels
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