Design Your Game Around a Central Theme
The theme of a game is an essential element that should not be overlooked. It can be used not only to establish the mood and atmosphere but also as a powerful tool to reinforce gameplay mechanics. When selecting an appropriate theme, it is important to consider how the game world should appear in order to align with the mechanics of the game. For instance, your game could be set in the context of the Chernobyl disaster.
Gas masks in an abandoned building near Chernobyl.
The following list presents several aspects that may evoke curiosity or excitement surrounding this theme:
The reactor explosion.
Ecological consequences for the environment.
Deadly radiation posing an immediate threat to life.
Efforts by individuals to combat the spread of radioactivity.
The evacuation of the city of Pripyat.
However, the mere fact that this theme generates interest does not guarantee that it will be compelling enough to sustain players’ engagement throughout gameplay. To achieve this, the theme must be integrated cohesively with other game elements to deliver the intended experience.
A well-chosen theme can also suggest possible player actions and inform gameplay mechanics through associations with real-world experiences. As players often learn the rules of a game during play, it is in your best interest to select a theme that complements the gameplay intuitively. Furthermore, thematic consistency throughout the entire game is critical. Below are examples demonstrating how an effective theme can reinforce gameplay mechanics.
The Game Theme as a Tool to Support Gameplay Mechanics
As players become familiar with your game, they naturally draw upon prior knowledge and experiences—whether from other games, films, books, or media—to form expectations. Consider the game Sniper Elite 4, whose central theme is World War II.
The beginning of the first mission in Sniper Elite 4.
Credit: Rebellion Developments. Screenshot captured by the author.
Upon recognizing this theme, players will likely form specific gameplay expectations, such as:
Character Movement
All characters, including the player, will be able to traverse terrain on foot or via vehicle.
Enemy Tactics
The enemy will deploy soldiers and vehicles to guard key locations.
Enemies will likely be stationed near mission objectives.
Snipers will be positioned on elevated ground for better visibility.
Snipers will typically remain in their designated positions.
Enemies will utilize cover and explosives during combat.
Weapons and Equipment
Characters, including enemies, are unlikely to wear body armor.
Characters will use period-accurate uniforms and weaponry.
Firearms will function using physical projectiles.
Players will need to heal after sustaining injuries from bullets, shrapnel, or falls.
To validate their expectations, players observe the in-game events. Ensuring that your game behaves in ways that align with these expectations can significantly streamline the learning process. This reduces the need for lengthy explanations of game mechanics and makes the experience more intuitive.
However, there may be occasions where adjustments to the theme or mechanics are necessary to ensure an emotionally engaging experience. For example, consider a real-time strategy game that features heavy tanks:
Many players understand that heavy tanks can fire projectiles over distances exceeding one kilometer. Suppose your game is designed with levels no larger than a one-square-kilometer map. In this scenario, tanks could theoretically target any area of the map, provided there is a direct line of sight. This design would likely result in unbalanced gameplay, as tank units could dominate other forces. To address this and enhance player engagement, one solution would be to reduce the maximum firing range of the tanks. Similarly, the range of other units would need to be adjusted. While this change may reduce the game’s realism, it would enhance playability by encouraging players to move and position units actively to stay within range.
Key Insight: Always prioritize delivering an emotionally engaging gameplay experience over strict adherence to real-world simulation or historical accuracy.
Themes to Explore
There is a wide array of themes that can be incorporated into your game. Some examples include:
Aliens.
City Building.
Cyberpunk.
Fantasy.
Christmas.
Mythology.
Post-Apocalypse.
Science Fiction.
Steampunk.
Wild West.
World War II.
Zombies.