Cursed Problems in Game Design: Navigating Player Interactions

Welcome to the fascinating realm of game design, where the balance between player interaction and mechanics can define the success of your project. One of the trickiest areas developers often navigate is the complex web of player politics and social negotiations that unfold in multiplayer environments. In this blog post, we will explore these "cursed problems" and provide insights on how to approach them constructively, allowing you to create engaging experiences that minimize negative player interactions and foster genuine cooperation.

1. Understanding Cursed Problems in Game Design

Cursed problems in game design are essentially design challenges that stem from conflicting player promises—expectations that players have about their experience and goals during gameplay. These conflicts often arise when players' desires for various game elements clash, making it difficult for designers to satisfy everyone involved. For example, one common cursed problem is the "king-making" phenomenon, where a player who is far behind in a game has the option to influence the outcome significantly, affecting the enjoyment of other players and overall balance.

Recognizing these issues early is crucial. By understanding the nature of cursed problems, you can start to devise strategies that navigate around them, ultimately leading to a more rewarding gaming experience.

1.1. Identifying Cursed Problems

The first step to addressing cursed problems is identifying them. Here are a few key indicators to consider:

• Conflicting player promises: When players desire different, incompatible aspects of gameplay, such as a need for competition versus collaborative success.
• Player agency vs. narrative direction: In many cases, you may find that players want the freedom to act while simultaneously desiring a narrative structure that guides their actions.

Recognizing these conflicts will help you avoid pitfalls and create more cohesive designs that resonate with players.

TIP: Always identify the core player promises when brainstorming game mechanics.

2. Common Cursed Problems and Their Pitfalls

Now that we have a grasp of what cursed problems are, let's delve into some common examples and pitfalls associated with them.

2.1. The King-Making Problem

A classic instance of a cursed problem in multiplayer gaming is the king-making dilemma. Imagine you’re playing a competitive board game, and one player finds themselves trailing significantly behind. They might decide to use their influence to effectively determine the outcome of the game by assisting another player to victory. This can make the game feel unbalanced, frustrating for those who are striving to win based on their skills or strategy.

In essence, this problem emerges from a conflict between two desires: the need for a fair outcome (where skill determines victory) and the reality of social dynamics that lead to suboptimal competitive experiences.

2.2. The Quarterbacking Dilemma

Another prevalent cursed problem is often referred to as “quarterbacking,” which primarily occurs in cooperative gameplay. In these scenarios, one highly skilled player ends up taking control, leading to a situation where the other players feel sidelined or disengaged. This leads to a fundamental conflict between cooperative play and individual agency, ultimately undermining the experience for many involved.

2.3. Skill Inflation in Competitive Games

The skill inflation curse appears in lasting competitive games, where players’ abilities improve over time. While it may seem exciting, it can alienate newer players who struggle to keep up with experienced competitors. Existing players enjoy a continuous growth path, but this creates a barrier for new entrants, limiting the game's longevity and community health.

IMPORTANT!: Recognize that even successful games can fall into these traps.

3. Strategies to Overcome Cursed Problems

While cursed problems may initially seem daunting, there are effective strategies and techniques you can employ to navigate these challenging waters.

3.1. Weakening Players' Promises

One method is to slightly adjust the expectations within your game. For example, consider weakening the promises regarding competition and control over outcomes. This can be achieved by introducing systems that make it difficult for one individual to dominate decision-making processes or by creating scenarios where cooperation isn't just encouraged but necessary.

Example: In a multiplayer brawler game, while combat mastery might be a core promise, encouraging chaotic gameplay—similar to what has been achieved in games like "Super Smash Bros."—can foster enjoyment by making calculated tactics less valuable than sheer fun.

3.2. Redefining Objectives

Another effective technique is redefining player objectives in ways that naturally mitigate curse problems. By presenting goals that can accommodate both players' desire for skill mastery and the need for social engagement, you can create a more enjoyable environment.

Example: In cooperative games, instead of focusing solely on completing missions, incentivize players for personal performance metrics. This way, even if one player somewhat takes charge, others still feel rewarded based on their personal achievements instead of feeling left out.

3.3. Introduction of Barriers

Implementing design barriers can limit actions that lead to cursed problems. By introducing obstacles that make certain behaviors less viable, you effectively shape player interaction.

Example: For the quarterbacking problem, consider reducing the communication channels available, ensuring players must rely on cooperation without dictating team strategy, fostering a true collaborative spirit.

3.4. Leaning into Political Play

Finally, in some cases, you can embrace the social negotiation aspects of gaming to enhance the experience. Allowing players to engage in meaningful diplomacy or subterfuge can turn a negative into a positive that drives excitement and engagement.

Example: In games like "Mafia" or "Werewolf," players both enjoy and expect political intrigue, which enhances their gaming experience. The key here is to be transparent about the game’s premise from the outset, allowing players to fully engage with the intended strategies.

4. Final Thoughts

Cursed problems can pose significant challenges in game design, but understanding their nature gives you the tools necessary to prevent them from derailing your project. Through recognizing conflicts in player promises, redefining objectives, and utilizing techniques to guide player behavior, you can create engaging, rewarding experiences that foster cooperation and enjoyment.

As you continue your journey as a game developer, use these insights as a road map to navigate the complexities of player interactions. These challenges are often the most interesting and rich with potential, offering opportunities to innovate and create games that players will love.

If you have any questions or wish to explore specific aspects of game design further, don’t hesitate to reach out or share your thoughts below!

Final Tip: If you want to learn more about this subject, I recommend this amazing Talk HERE, that I used as the main reference for this blog post.