Brandon Sanderson's Elden Ring Breakdown and Unsolved Problems – What to Watch About Game Development

Every Friday, Skillbox Media's Gamedev editorial team presents a review of new videos in Russian and English dedicated to games, their development, and game design. In this collection, we will look at an analysis of Elden Ring, done by the famous writer Brandon Sanderson, and also share the secrets of the SimCity game design. In addition, we will answer the question of the popularity of the elements in games and analyze why they are so interesting to players.

How to create a task for a player that they will never be able to solve?

In the late 1980s, American game designer Will Wright began developing a city-building game. He sought financial support from publishers, but most were hesitant. At the time, the idea of creating an engaging, non-action game devoid of violence and combat seemed highly questionable. While this may seem surprising today, in the context of the time, such concerns were entirely justified. Wright achieved his goal with the release of SimCity in 1989, which became a landmark city-building strategy game. In this game, players didn't have to kill anyone; instead, they focused on constructing new residential and commercial buildings. Users chose optimal locations for garbage disposal, designed new roads and highways to reduce traffic, and ensured that power plants produced minimal pollution. SimCity not only entertained but also taught the fundamentals of city-building and ecology, making it a key element in the gaming industry.

SimCity has established itself as one of the most influential games in video game history, spawning a series of the same name and inspiring numerous developers to create city-building strategy games. SimCity's success can be attributed to its innovative approach to gameplay, which emphasized city management and complex problem-solving rather than violence. Players were tasked with building and developing infrastructure, managing the economy, and caring for the well-being of their residents, creating a unique experience. This concept made SimCity a cornerstone of the genre and continues to influence future titles.

In a new video, YouTuber The Architect of Games analyzes the design of SimCity. He explains that the unique gameplay of this game and similar projects lies in the presence of problems that players can never fully solve. This creates constant interest and engagement, making it particularly appealing to fans of the genre.

Players of city-building simulations like SimCity often face constant challenges that require creative solutions. Player ability is far from the only factor determining success. A good simulator offers a variety of obstacles to overcome. Every time the player solves one problem, new ones arise, creating a cyclical process: solving one problem leads to the emergence of another. In SimCity, for example, the goal is to build an efficient and self-sufficient city that does not require constant player intervention. However, this is impossible, as the game constantly throws up new conditions and problems. City residents will always place high demands on the mayor, and new production facilities require additional resources, such as power plants, to sustain their operations. Thus, city-building simulators provide a never-ending cycle of challenges and opportunities for creativity, making them engaging and exciting for players.

Fire, earth, water, and air are the four elements familiar from many RPGs.

In every fantasy RPG, players can encounter a variety of magic spells. Fire and ice spells are most often available, adding a strategic element to the game mechanics. Some games feature combinations of these elements, opening up new possibilities for tactical decisions. In addition, magic associated with air and earth is represented in the form of lightning and localized earthquakes, which also add variety to combat. These magical elements help create a unique atmosphere, enriching the gameplay and allowing each player to find their own playstyle. Fire, earth, water, and air are the classical elements described by ancient Greek philosophers. These elements are widely used in a variety of video games, including not only role-playing games with intricate dungeons and dragons. In the Borderlands shooter series, for example, weapons deal different types of elemental damage, adding depth to the gameplay. In the action game Luigi's Mansion, the protagonist uses a vacuum cleaner that can emit fire to light candles and water to solve puzzles. In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the elements play a key role in gameplay: the character Link can freeze water, set trees on fire, attack enemies with electricity, and use air currents to propel himself on a glider. The Pokémon series features 18 different elements, which affect the stats of Pokémon and determine battle strategies. Elements in video games not only enrich gameplay but also create unique interaction mechanics, making every game engaging and varied.

Elements such as fire, earth, water, and air, as well as other elements created by developers, play a key role not only in gameplay mechanics. These elements influence character design, their backstories, the lore of the fictional world, and the design of in-game locations. Using elements in games allows for deeper and more engaging stories, enriching the gaming experience and allowing players to immerse themselves in unique worlds. Elemental elements help shape character personalities, defining their abilities and interactions with the environment. This creates a multi-layered approach to game development, where each element has meaning and contributes to a cohesive narrative.

The popularity of elements among game developers is due to a variety of factors, as explained by the YouTube channel Design Doc. One key reason is the ease with which elements can be adapted to various game elements. For example, fire can be transformed into lava, opening up the possibility of creating unique locations, such as areas at the base of a volcano. Furthermore, the concept of elements is intuitive to most players, making game mechanics that utilize them accessible and self-explanatory. The channel's author discusses these and other aspects of the elemental popularity in games in detail in his new video.

American writer Brandon Sanderson is an Elden Ring fan.

Brandon Sanderson is a renowned writer and the author of the Wheel of Time fantasy series. He is also a fan of FromSoftware games, especially Elden Ring. On his YouTube channel, Sanderson analyzes the narrative and design of this popular RPG, emphasizing the elements that make the game unique and appealing to players. He explains why Elden Ring is worth playing, highlighting its rich world and deep storyline, which will appeal to both gaming fans and lovers of good literature.

Sanderson's recent video focused on the boss fight against Mog the Bloodlord. In this episode, the writer detailed the enemy's backstory, analyzed his design, and the basic principles of the fight. He also explained why he considers Mog one of the best bosses in the game, highlighting his unique characteristics and mechanics that make the fight unforgettable.

Sanderson previously published a video sharing his impressions of Elden Ring. This video also includes an analysis of the design of the Cave of the Forgotten, one of the most famous locations in the game.

Brandon Sanderson's Elden Ring Breakdown and Unsolved Problems – What to Watch About Game Development

Contents:

How to create a task for a player that they will never be able to solve?

Fire, earth, water, and air are the four elements familiar from many RPGs.

American writer Brandon Sanderson is an Elden Ring fan.