How would you resolve conflicts arising from differing opinions on game mechanics in your diverse team?

1 Embrace Diversity

When your team has differing opinions on game mechanics, it's important to embrace this diversity as a strength rather than a weakness. Encourage open dialogue where each team member can present their perspective. Listen actively and validate their input, even if it diverges from the majority view. This can lead to a deeper understanding of the mechanics at play and foster a culture of respect and innovation.

2 Define Objectives

Before diving into debates over game mechanics, ensure that your team has a clear understanding of the game's core objectives. What experience are you aiming to deliver to the player? By aligning on the end goal, you can evaluate each proposed mechanic by how well it serves this objective. This common ground acts as a touchstone to guide discussions and resolve conflicts objectively.

3 Encourage Prototyping

One effective way to resolve disagreements is through prototyping. Allow team members to create quick, rough versions of their proposed mechanics. Testing these prototypes can provide valuable data on what works and what doesn't. This empirical approach takes the decision-making process out of the realm of subjective opinion and into the hands of real-world results.

4 Facilitate Workshops

Workshops can be a powerful tool for resolving conflicts in game design. Organize sessions where team members collaboratively explore different mechanics and their implications on gameplay. Use techniques such as role-playing or brainstorming to stimulate creative problem-solving and find common ground or compromises that satisfy diverse viewpoints.

5 Implement Feedback Loops

Creating feedback loops within your team is essential for continuous improvement of game mechanics. Establish regular check-ins where team members can share their thoughts on the current design. Use this feedback to iterate on mechanics, ensuring that all voices are heard and considered in the refinement process.

6 Seek External Input

Sometimes an internal team can be too close to the project to see the best solution. Seeking external input from playtesters or industry peers can provide fresh perspectives on game mechanics. This feedback can help break deadlocks and introduce new ideas that your team may not have considered, leading to a more well-rounded and player-focused design.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?