Cognition

Understanding Player Cognition

• Game requires active thought + physical ability

• Player engagement loop:

  • Planning
  • Reacting

• Types of Player Thinking

• Learning mechanics

  • Understanding abilities
  • Learning obstacles/opponents
  • Environmental effects

  Benefits:

  • Allows design shortcuts later
  • Can subvert expectations

• Overcoming challenges

  • “Demonstrate creativity”
  • Multiple strategies/tactics allowed

    Shows player skill in:

    • Planning
    • Execution

• Puzzle solving

  • Uses:

    Math/verbal skills Deductive reasoning Previously learned knowledge

• Design Considerations

• Potential issues

  • Unexpected gating

    Too difficult puzzles Missing information Unknown abilities

• Information types

  • Diegetic (in-game fiction)

    Example: teleport scroll effects

  • Non-diegetic (outside knowledge)

    Example: chemical reactions “Must supply context in-game”

Player cognition forms core engagement through active thinking and problem-solving. Level designers must balance challenge with accessibility while providing necessary context for both in-game and external knowledge.