Gating

Level Gating Types & Implementation

• Types of Gates

• Inventory/Key Gate

  • Requires specific item to progress
  • Must prep player about needed item
  • Can approach from:

    Finding key first Finding door first (more frustrating but rewarding)

• Exploration Gate

  • Makes player look around area
  • “Stops progress until area fully explored”

• Player Gates

  • Skill Gate

    Based on player ability/mastery Combat/platforming challenges

  • Ability Gate

    Based on character abilities Example: Double jump, grappling hook

• Knowledge/Puzzle Gates

  • Puzzle: Can solve when reached
  • Knowledge: Requires prior info

    Diegetic: In-game knowledge Non-diegetic: Player’s real knowledge

• Other Gate Types

  • Narrative: Must experience story/cutscene
  • Time: Based on time passage/specific moments
  • Emotional: Confront player feelings
  • Success: Complete specific achievement

• Gate Mechanics

• Shortcuts

  • Opens after gate cleared
  • “Don’t force repeated gate clearing”

• Valves

  • One-way gates
  • “Be careful not to block incomplete areas”

• Example Level Implementation

• Narrative gate: Guard interaction
• Inventory gate: Misdirect area
• Ability gate: Traversal section
• Skill gate: Boss fight
• Valves: One-way cliff descent

Gating mechanisms control player progression while maintaining engagement. Strategic placement of different gate types creates structured gameplay flow while avoiding frustration.