What are the 5 basic game mechanics?
There is no official list of "the 5 game mechanics." Different designers and courses group mechanics in different ways, so lists of three, five or seven are all common. A widely used framework comes from Jesse Schell's book The Art of Game Design, which describes basic mechanics as space, objects (with their attributes and states), actions, rules, skill and chance.
A practical breakdown
- Space: where the game happens and how you can move, whether it is a chessboard, a 2D level or an open world.
- Objects and states: characters, items and resources, along with their properties, such as health, ammo or a door being locked or open.
- Actions: what the player can do: jump, shoot, build, trade, talk.
- Rules: what is allowed, how the game reacts and how you win or lose. Rules connect everything else.
- Skill: the physical, mental or social abilities the game asks of you, such as timing, planning or bluffing.
- Chance: randomness, from dice rolls and card draws to loot drops and critical hits.
Common mechanic types you will hear about
Resource management, turn-taking, combat, collection, crafting, progression (levels and experience), puzzles and cooperation or competition are all names for combinations of the categories above.
FAQ
What is the difference between a mechanic and a rule?
A rule says what is allowed; a mechanic is a system players interact with, such as a health bar or a crafting system, built from rules.
What does breaking the fourth wall mean in games?
A game addresses the player directly, as if the character knows it is in a game, for example by commenting on your save file.
What are hidden things in games called?
Easter eggs: secret jokes, references or rooms that developers hide for players to find.
What are invisible walls?
Barriers you cannot see that stop you from leaving the playable area.