Skip to main content

Design: Core Player Experience

October 4, 2025​

  • @galactic_15
  • @kiarajclyn410
  • @kinkymal
  • @revatile
  • @rmzing
  • @warrengore
  • @dividesbyzero
  • @sp3cialk

Phase Two Goals​

Objective​

Create single-sentence player experience statement describing what it feels like to play Wanderers of the Rift. Format Examples

"As a wanderer, I..."

"I go through these rifts to [blank] and [blank]..."

Game Experience Analysis​

Warm-up Exercise​

Identify moments in other games where you thought "this is what I love about this game" - focusing on how it made you feel rather than what you did.

Key Patterns Identified​

  • Impossibility and satisfaction from learning systems or crafting solutions
  • Mastery through practice and overcoming challenges
  • Build crafting satisfaction from fine-tuning and optimization
  • Hidden discovery creating sense of accomplishment
  • Escalating tension leading to relief when overcoming odds

Referenced Game Examples​

Hollow Knight​

Finding hidden secrets not necessary for progression Mastering combat through repeated attempts Rewards came from own abilities and skill development

Warframe​

No defined meta due to detailed crafting depth Tune every stat of character/weapon for anything Build crafting creates "more than sum of its parts" Steel Path acts as skill check for system mastery "You either quit or you get down and dirty and fix the problem"

Risk of Rain 1 & 2​

Escalating tension leading to satisfaction Overcoming impossible odds creates accomplishment "Bitch I Lived" feeling from being surrounded then succeeding

Guild Wars 2​

Hidden places found through achievements or no hints Hidden bosses and unexpected build combinations Example: Necromancer build that also heals team (Unexpected synergies)

Subnautica​

"I dive into unknown depths, scavenging and surviving against all the terrors of the deep"

Hades​

"I fight, die and grow stronger as I defy the gods and break free from the underworld"

Application to Wanderers of the Rift​

Build Synergy​

  • View gear as cohesive whole building toward synergy Example: Rune gem increasing damage based on health, encouraging high-health builds
  • Unexpected combinations like DPS healer builds Example: Buff turning splash damage into heal for nearby teammates

Hidden Content​

  • Hidden lore in secret rooms or quest paths
  • NPCs with hidden angles revealing story
  • Hub world secrets (some stories unlocked through right paths)
  • Rare encounters (Champion rooms, themed bosses (queen bee))

Discovery Mechanics​

  • Hidden locations and bosses tied to lore discovery
  • Rare structure + theme combinations yielding unique bosses and items
  • Recipe discovery preserved and hidden from JEI initially

Candidate Statements​

Proposed Concepts​

"Sharpen your teeth on new challenges while optimizing your build" "Rise to the ever-increasing challenges of the rifts" Dungeon crawl vibe with anticipation and fear of what's next Exploration emphasis similar to No Man's Sky feeling

Statement Requirements​

  • Single sentence describing player feeling
  • Captures core loop essence
  • Can be supported by specific verbs and emotions

Supporting Verbs​

  • Explore
  • Discover
  • Scavenge (looting but making from trash/recycling)
  • Acquire
  • Preserve
  • Craft
  • Progress
  • Persevere (pushing through challenges to rewarding outcome)
  • Overcome
  • Accomplish
  • Trailblaze
  • Pioneer

Supporting Emotions​

  • Target Player Feelings
  • Scared (anxious tension, not jump scares)
  • Anticipation
  • Amazement
  • Joy
  • Eager (to progress, re-engage with loop)
  • Curious
  • Wanderlust
  • Awe (unexpected discoveries, new Rift themes)
  • Sense of purpose
  • Progress
  • Accomplishment
  • Pride (in build, gear)

Implementation Considerations​

Hidden Locations​

  • Best implemented in hub world due to randomly generated overworld/rifts
  • Hub world may be static map allowing persistent secrets
  • Rare champion rooms in rift generation

Teamwork Mechanics​

  • Caveats like proximity requirements promote cooperation
  • Build synergies that benefit team play
  • Unexpected combinations creating new playstyles

Single Player vs Server​

  • Suggestion to survey player preferences
  • Need to accommodate both playstyles

Additional Topics​

Emerged organically through discussion

Mastery Approach​

  • Combat system requires practice through frequent fighting
  • Dying implies desire for good challenge with real risk
  • Accessibility options as adjustable dials
  • Standard play state can be challenging with options to adjust

Challenge Balance​

  • References Hollow Knight: Silk Song early beetle enemy (one-shot capable)
  • Different play styles allow for various approaches (including cheese strategies)
  • Sufficient difficulty creates satisfying "high" when overcome

Next Actions

Forum Activity​

  • Forum post open until October 13th for additional ideas
  • Repository for drafting player statement
  • Post partial statements, verbs, or emotions
  • Keep posts concise (1-2 sentence quotes if relevant)

Idea submissions​

Use idea submission forum for new mechanics

Design discussions​

Design forum for in-depth analysis of established systems Continue discussions in design general channel

Meeting feedback​

DMs or report system for critiques and suggestions

Timeline

CPE submissions by October 13th

Next meeting: Next Sunday, more CPE as well as open discussion

Later October Phase three focus: Meta Loop

  • Examine meta loop of gameplay after settling on player statement
  • Revisit previous discussions
  • Compare loop to pillars and player experience
  • Ensure alignment with overall vision