What’s the best way to teach a new player a game’s core loop quickly?

For any game developer, getting new players hooked quickly is paramount for long-term retention. At the heart of this challenge lies the game’s core loop—the fundamental cycle of actions and rewards that defines the player experience. Teaching this loop efficiently, without overwhelming or boring the player, is a delicate art. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to make that happen.

Understanding the Core Loop and Its Importance

The core loop is the repeatable sequence of actions a player takes that leads to a reward, which then enables them to take those actions again, often with greater power or efficiency. Think of it as ‘Do X to get Y, which lets you do more X’. In an RPG, it might be ‘Quest > Get Loot > Upgrade Gear > Take Harder Quests’. In a puzzle game, it’s ‘Solve Puzzle > Unlock New Level > Face New Puzzle Mechanic’.

Quickly grasping this loop is critical because it establishes player agency and motivation. If a player doesn’t understand what they’re supposed to be doing or why their actions matter, they’re likely to drop off. A well-taught core loop creates an immediate sense of purpose and progress.

Strategies for Rapid Core Loop Instruction

1. Show, Don’t Just Tell

New players learn best by doing. Avoid lengthy text tutorials or static images explaining mechanics. Instead, integrate the learning directly into gameplay. Design initial moments where the player is gently guided through the core loop’s actions, with minimal text prompts.

• Interactive Prompts: Use context-sensitive UI prompts that appear only when needed, guiding the player’s cursor or highlighting an essential button.
• Guided Actions: Create scenarios where the optimal, or only, path requires executing a core loop action. For instance, putting a low-level enemy right in front of them to prompt combat, or a visible resource to prompt collection.

2. Contextualize Actions and Rewards

Players need to understand the ‘why’ behind their actions. Merely performing an action isn’t enough; they need to see its immediate consequence and understand its value within the game’s larger ecosystem. When a player completes an action within the core loop, immediately follow it with the associated reward.

• Visual Feedback: Make rewards tangible. If they collect gold, show the gold counter increasing prominently. If they defeat an enemy, show experience points being gained and a level-up bar filling.
• Clear Goal Progression: Connect the core loop to an immediate, small goal. ‘Collect 3 berries to craft your first potion’ is more engaging than ‘collect berries’.

3. Implement Immediate Feedback

Instant feedback reinforces correct behaviors and helps players understand cause and effect. This goes beyond just rewards; it includes visual, auditory, and haptic cues that confirm their actions have registered and had an impact.

• Sound Effects: A satisfying ‘clink’ for collecting currency or a ‘thwack’ for a successful hit provides immediate confirmation.
• Visual Effects: Particle effects, screen shakes, or glowing outlines can highlight critical interactions or outcomes.
• UI Updates: Health bars, resource counters, and quest logs should update in real-time to reflect the player’s actions.

4. Progressive Disclosure

Don’t dump all game mechanics on the player at once. Introduce elements of the core loop one by one, allowing players to master each piece before adding another layer of complexity. This prevents cognitive overload and builds confidence.

• Layered Tutorials: Introduce the ‘action’ first, then the ‘reward’, then perhaps how the ‘reward’ enhances the ‘action’.
• Gated Content: Lock advanced mechanics or alternative core loops behind initial progress, ensuring players grasp the basics first.

5. Focus on Early Success and Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is a powerful teaching tool. Design the initial stages of the game to ensure new players experience frequent, easy successes. This builds confidence and encourages them to continue exploring the core loop.

• Low Stakes: The initial challenges should be trivial, allowing players to experiment without fear of significant failure.
• Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge their first successful quest, crafting item, or level-up with clear, positive feedback.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Information Overload: Too much text, too many pop-ups, or too many new mechanics introduced simultaneously.
• Passive Learning: Relying solely on players reading instructions rather than actively engaging with the game.
• Lack of Context: Explaining a mechanic without showing why it matters to the player’s immediate goals.
• Delayed Feedback: Making players wait too long to see the results of their actions or rewards.
• Unskippable, Lengthy Tutorials: While necessary for first-timers, experienced players on subsequent playthroughs will appreciate the option to skip.

Conclusion

Teaching a game’s core loop quickly and effectively is a critical component of successful game design. By prioritizing hands-on experience, providing immediate and contextual feedback, and progressively introducing mechanics, developers can create an onboarding experience that not only teaches but also excites new players, drawing them deeper into the game world and ensuring they stick around for the long haul. Remember, the goal is not just to teach what to do, but to instill the intrinsic fun of doing it.