Was reading some articles on game design a few weeks ago and I believe I found this idea on Raph Koster’s blog. The name of the idea is something like the atomic game theory, which is that all games are made up of smaller sub games all the way down until you get to component actions such as clicking the mouse or typing a key.

The concept is used to make sure that all of the subtasks that make up your game are fun. Think of them as games by themselves.

Take even a fairly simple game by today’s standard like classic Mario Bros.  Moving your character is fun. Jumping is fun. Stomping enemies is fun. Collecting coins and powerups is fun. Each of these parts of the game can be thought of as smaller games themselves.

When you combine a bunch of small fun things, you usually end up with a final product that is also fun.

I am using this concept to design and test small parts of a larger game one piece at a time to see if each piece is fun, and I would encourage you to give it a try in your own design process.

Keep getting wiser, stronger, and better.