By name: game-design-v3 description: "Game Design Principles workflow skill. Use this skill when the user needs Game design principles. GDD structure, balancing, player psychology, progression and the operator should preserve the upstream workflow, copied support files, and provenance before merging or handing off." version: "0.0.1" category: design tags: ["game-design-v3", "game-design", "game", "design", "principles", "gdd", "structure", "balancing"] complexity: beginner risk: safe tools: ["codex-cli", "claude-code", "cursor", "gemini-cli", "opencode"] source: community author: "sickn33" date_added: "2026-04-26" date_updated: "2026-04-26"
Game Design Principles
Overview
This public intake copy packages plugins/antigravity-bundle-indie-game-dev/skills/game-development/game-design from https://github.com/sickn33/antigravity-awesome-skills into the native Omni Skills editorial shape without hiding its origin.
Use it when the operator needs the upstream workflow, support files, and repository context to stay intact while the public validator and private enhancer continue their normal downstream flow.
This intake keeps the copied upstream files intact and uses the external_source block in metadata.json plus ORIGIN.md as the provenance anchor for review.
Game Design Principles > Design thinking for engaging games. ---
Imported source sections that did not map cleanly to the public headings are still preserved below or in the support files. Notable imported sections: 1. Core Loop Design, 2. Game Design Document (GDD), 3. Player Psychology, 4. Difficulty Balancing, 5. Progression Design, 6. Anti-Patterns.
When to Use This Skill
Use this section as the trigger filter. It should make the activation boundary explicit before the operator loads files, runs commands, or opens a pull request.
- This skill is applicable to execute the workflow or actions described in the overview.
- Use when the request clearly matches the imported source intent: Game design principles. GDD structure, balancing, player psychology, progression.
- Use when the operator should preserve upstream workflow detail instead of rewriting the process from scratch.
- Use when provenance needs to stay visible in the answer, PR, or review packet.
- Use when copied upstream references, examples, or scripts materially improve the answer.
- Use when the workflow should remain reviewable in the public intake repo before the private enhancer takes over.
Operating Table
| Situation | Start here | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| First-time use | metadata.json |
Confirms repository, branch, commit, and imported path through the external_source block before touching the copied workflow |
| Provenance review | ORIGIN.md |
Gives reviewers a plain-language audit trail for the imported source |
| Workflow execution | SKILL.md |
Starts with the smallest copied file that materially changes execution |
| Supporting context | SKILL.md |
Adds the next most relevant copied source file without loading the entire package |
| Handoff decision | ## Related Skills |
Helps the operator switch to a stronger native skill when the task drifts |
Workflow
This workflow is intentionally editorial and operational at the same time. It keeps the imported source useful to the operator while still satisfying the public intake standards that feed the downstream enhancer flow.
- Confirm the user goal, the scope of the imported workflow, and whether this skill is still the right router for the task.
- Read the overview and provenance files before loading any copied upstream support files.
- Load only the references, examples, prompts, or scripts that materially change the outcome for the current request.
- Execute the upstream workflow while keeping provenance and source boundaries explicit in the working notes.
- Validate the result against the upstream expectations and the evidence you can point to in the copied files.
- Escalate or hand off to a related skill when the work moves out of this imported workflow's center of gravity.
- Before merge or closure, record what was used, what changed, and what the reviewer still needs to verify.
Imported Workflow Notes
Imported: 1. Core Loop Design
The 30-Second Test
Every game needs a fun 30-second loop:
1. ACTION → Player does something
2. FEEDBACK → Game responds
3. REWARD → Player feels good
4. REPEAT
Loop Examples
| Genre | Core Loop |
|---|---|
| Platformer | Run → Jump → Land → Collect |
| Shooter | Aim → Shoot → Kill → Loot |
| Puzzle | Observe → Think → Solve → Advance |
| RPG | Explore → Fight → Level → Gear |
Examples
Example 1: Ask for the upstream workflow directly
Use @game-design-v3 to handle <task>. Start from the copied upstream workflow, load only the files that change the outcome, and keep provenance visible in the answer.
Explanation: This is the safest starting point when the operator needs the imported workflow, but not the entire repository.
Example 2: Ask for a provenance-grounded review
Review @game-design-v3 against metadata.json and ORIGIN.md, then explain which copied upstream files you would load first and why.
Explanation: Use this before review or troubleshooting when you need a precise, auditable explanation of origin and file selection.
Example 3: Narrow the copied support files before execution
Use @game-design-v3 for <task>. Load only the copied references, examples, or scripts that change the outcome, and name the files explicitly before proceeding.
Explanation: This keeps the skill aligned with progressive disclosure instead of loading the whole copied package by default.
Example 4: Build a reviewer packet
Review @game-design-v3 using the copied upstream files plus provenance, then summarize any gaps before merge.
Explanation: This is useful when the PR is waiting for human review and you want a repeatable audit packet.
Best Practices
Treat the generated public skill as a reviewable packaging layer around the upstream repository. The goal is to keep provenance explicit and load only the copied source material that materially improves execution.
- Keep the imported skill grounded in the upstream repository; do not invent steps that the source material cannot support.
- Prefer the smallest useful set of support files so the workflow stays auditable and fast to review.
- Keep provenance, source commit, and imported file paths visible in notes and PR descriptions.
- Point directly at the copied upstream files that justify the workflow instead of relying on generic review boilerplate.
- Treat generated examples as scaffolding; adapt them to the concrete task before execution.
- Route to a stronger native skill when architecture, debugging, design, or security concerns become dominant.
Troubleshooting
Problem: The operator skipped the imported context and answered too generically
Symptoms: The result ignores the upstream workflow in plugins/antigravity-bundle-indie-game-dev/skills/game-development/game-design, fails to mention provenance, or does not use any copied source files at all.
Solution: Re-open metadata.json, ORIGIN.md, and the most relevant copied upstream files. Check the external_source block first, then restate the provenance before continuing.
Problem: The imported workflow feels incomplete during review
Symptoms: Reviewers can see the generated SKILL.md, but they cannot quickly tell which references, examples, or scripts matter for the current task.
Solution: Point at the exact copied references, examples, scripts, or assets that justify the path you took. If the gap is still real, record it in the PR instead of hiding it.
Problem: The task drifted into a different specialization
Symptoms: The imported skill starts in the right place, but the work turns into debugging, architecture, design, security, or release orchestration that a native skill handles better. Solution: Use the related skills section to hand off deliberately. Keep the imported provenance visible so the next skill inherits the right context instead of starting blind.
Related Skills
@2d-games-v3- Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.@3d-games-v3- Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.@algolia-search-v4- Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.@algorithmic-art-v4- Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.
Additional Resources
Use this support matrix and the linked files below as the operator packet for this imported skill. They should reflect real copied source material, not generic scaffolding.
| Resource family | What it gives the reviewer | Example path |
|---|---|---|
references |
copied reference notes, guides, or background material from upstream | references/n/a |
examples |
worked examples or reusable prompts copied from upstream | examples/n/a |
scripts |
upstream helper scripts that change execution or validation | scripts/n/a |
agents |
routing or delegation notes that are genuinely part of the imported package | agents/n/a |
assets |
supporting assets or schemas copied from the source package | assets/n/a |
Imported Reference Notes
Imported: 2. Game Design Document (GDD)
Essential Sections
| Section | Content |
|---|---|
| Pitch | One-sentence description |
| Core Loop | 30-second gameplay |
| Mechanics | How systems work |
| Progression | How player advances |
| Art Style | Visual direction |
| Audio | Sound direction |
Principles
- Keep it living (update regularly)
- Visuals help communicate
- Less is more (start small)
Imported: 3. Player Psychology
Motivation Types
| Type | Driven By |
|---|---|
| Achiever | Goals, completion |
| Explorer | Discovery, secrets |
| Socializer | Interaction, community |
| Killer | Competition, dominance |
Reward Schedules
| Schedule | Effect | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed | Predictable | Milestone rewards |
| Variable | Addictive | Loot drops |
| Ratio | Effort-based | Grind games |
Imported: 4. Difficulty Balancing
Flow State
Too Hard → Frustration → Quit
Too Easy → Boredom → Quit
Just Right → Flow → Engagement
Balancing Strategies
| Strategy | How |
|---|---|
| Dynamic | Adjust to player skill |
| Selection | Let player choose |
| Accessibility | Options for all |
Imported: 5. Progression Design
Progression Types
| Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Skill | Player gets better |
| Power | Character gets stronger |
| Content | New areas unlock |
| Story | Narrative advances |
Pacing Principles
- Early wins (hook quickly)
- Gradually increase challenge
- Rest beats between intensity
- Meaningful choices
Imported: 6. Anti-Patterns
| ❌ Don't | ✅ Do |
|---|---|
| Design in isolation | Playtest constantly |
| Polish before fun | Prototype first |
| Force one way to play | Allow player expression |
| Punish excessively | Reward progress |
Remember: Fun is discovered through iteration, not designed on paper.
Imported: Limitations
- Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
- Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
- Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.