Additive and subtractive design
Our previous Super Meat Boy jump example is a perfect introduction to the topic we’re going to discuss next: additive and subtractive design.
By taking out that gravity element, Super Meat Boy’s developers have subtracted from a classic jumping mechanic, while on the other hand, they have added to the mechanic by allowing wall jumping. Additive and subtractive design is the principle behind any adaptation of game mechanics.
Additive design, in particular, is what game developers have always used to create new video games. Expanding and improving existing game mechanics is the lifeblood of game design as much as introducing new groundbreaking ones.
Subtractive game design, though, is probably even more important.
We talked already about the less is more principle and how it should be applied throughout the whole design and its documentation. Applying this principle in game mechanics is not only a matter of elegance; it can help...
