Introduce Short, Easy-to-Follow Instructions
When players begin playing your game for the first time, they should be able to understand its mechanics with ease. The following recommendations will assist in clearly conveying what players need to do.
There is a well-known saying: “Good practice makes perfect.” This suggests that, in order to retain knowledge of how the game functions, players must practice the skills they are learning both correctly and consistently. Therefore, the game should provide clear instructions on what actions to take, and players should be encouraged to apply these instructions as soon as possible.
Avoid requiring players to read lengthy manuals, as they generally seek to play rather than study. If the game is not particularly complex, offer brief and straightforward instructions that players can follow without difficulty.
In Frostpunk, players learn how the game functions by reading helpful information presented in both textual and graphical forms. These are displayed in areas of the screen that players are naturally inclined to focus on.
Credit: 11 bit studios S.A.. Footage captured by the author.
Games may utilize passages of text, supplemented by illustrations or animations when necessary, in order to explain gameplay mechanics more thoroughly and effectively.
Frostpunk includes a database that explains gameplay not only through text but also with the use of images and animations.
Credit: 11 bit studios S.A.. Footage captured by the author.
Sniper Elite 4 also demonstrates game mechanics, such as triangulation, in an effective manner. The accompanying text is concise and the visuals support the explanation well.
Credit: Rebellion Developments. Footage captured by the author.
You may also employ simple illustrations to instruct players on the required actions. However, illustrations alone may not suffice for explaining more intricate gameplay systems. In such instances, consider supplementing images with text or replacing static visuals with animations.
In Gone Home, when players start a new game, an image appears showing the basic controls.
Credit: The Fullbright Company. Footage captured by the author.
If you want players to acquire the necessary skills to play your game, the most effective approach is to guide them with clear, concise instructions while they perform the relevant actions in real-time.
In Celeste, players are advised to hold the left trigger (LT) on the gamepad in order to climb and progress further in the game.
Credit: Extremely OK Games. Footage captured by the author.
Short instructions can be provided in the form of text, and you may also choose to convey them through a character’s voice. This character may or may not appear on screen during gameplay.
In Celeste, at the very beginning, a non-player character verbally guides the player along the path they must take.
Credit: Extremely OK Games. Footage captured by the author.
Player immersion can be compromised if a character simply informs players which input is required from their device (e.g., “Press the ‘F’ key”). Instead, use voice prompts to describe the intended action (e.g., “Open the door”), while the specific input should be presented on screen as text. This improves both clarity and accessibility.
In the early stages of gameplay, players should first become familiar with the most basic mechanics. Gradually, more advanced features should be introduced. It is essential not to overwhelm players by presenting too many mechanics simultaneously, as this can lead to confusion or frustration.
In Rogue Legacy 2, players learn about gameplay mechanics through short tutorials that appear only when relevant.
Credit: Cellar Door Games. Footage captured by the author.
Any hints or instructions that involve player inputs must correspond to the input device currently being used. These instructions should also reflect any recent changes made by the player to the control scheme.
In Celeste, on-screen instructions are adapted to match the current control settings.
Credit: Extremely OK Games. Footage captured by the author.