Hi,
I have created my new game, a coop workerplacement. Yesterday I have played it with a group of experienced game designers and one of the essence was, the game is too complex, it will scare peaople away who dont´t play this kind of games regulary.
The game itself doesn´t offer a lot of draw possibilities a turn but the results are longterme and complex.
I am wondering if I should reduce complexity and a strategic moment of the game or if I better should make a kind of starting kit with less options for a beginner game and then give experienced players the full package ?
Comments
response
In my (limited) experience designing games the best thing you can do is make something YOU want to play, A "beginner mode" is very nice to teach the game so make it as complex as YOU feel is good for the game and then add a easy "beginner mode" to teach the game. My 2 cents
Options
The two things that I think make games hard to play are too many options too soon or options that have complicated implications.
I would eliminate options early on. So if it is worker placement and no one really gathers gold on the first 3 turns, cover up the location and just do not give players the option. This is learn as you go.
From a marketing standpoint,
From a marketing standpoint, its simply letting the player win on their first dry run play, or at least get positive results in the play. the dry run may only last 1 or 2 turns to get a feel of things and nothing more.
After the player is more familiar with their options, then are they able to get comfortable playing moves requiring deeper thought and planning.
one good example would be how trading card games introduce themselves to the market. I'm sure there will be several articles from a simple google search. it should mention gradual introduction of information.
your opening description however sounds like a symptom of a game designed for a niche audience. that may be the problem on the whole, and you should decide if you wish to widen your audience, or enhance the experience of your existing audience.