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r/gamedev · u/OldManUDCAug 1, 2026, 4:42 PM

Does a game need to have a clear 'THING?'

I'm wondering if a game needs to have a clear THING, like a single contribution to the arts that makes it unique, but otherwise it's comprehensible to players. I have been working on a little game, I think it has potential but I'm not so sure if it's identity is clear. Sometimes I think of it as space combat with crafting survival, sometimes I think of it as tower defense where you are piloting in the world. Right now if you asked me what my game was about I would say 'uh ... have you ever played subspace?' and I wouldn't know where to start. https://youtu.be/5UEV_SC1P5s

Comments

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u/valeria_gamedevs3Aug 1, 2026, 4:52 PM
if you can't pitch it in a sentence, that's usually a sign the design is still unsettled. Pick the verb the player does most and lead with that. "space combat with crafting" vs "tower defense you pilot" are pretty different games, so figuring out which one is the spine will prolly unblock a lot of other stuff too.
- u/timbeaudet1Aug 1, 2026, 5:00 PM
  Yes a game needs to know what it is, exactly as this commenter said. Put your mind into a player, let’s say they like tower defense games. You’re looking for your next game to binge, and you come across three options; your game, a clear/basic/traditional tower defense, and one that looks sloppy. Obviously sloppy is out, I don’t think anyone would disagree. But your game would also currently fall out because it won’t convince the player that they will get their desired value.
u/Artanis1371Aug 1, 2026, 5:01 PM
Why not experiment and try to see if you can mash both together, that would for sure be unique and a "thing" that could get attention.
u/SwipeProInfinity1Aug 1, 2026, 5:17 PM
You don't need one unprecedented mechanic; you need one clear player promise. Try: 'You \[core verb\] to \[goal\], while \[distinctive constraint\].' For your description, that might be: 'Pilot a ship that also serves as a mobile tower-defense base, then craft between assaults.' Then show five players 30 seconds and ask what they expect to do most of the time. If their answers converge, the identity is clear. If half say survival crafting and half say tower defense, pick one as the onboarding and marketing spine and let the other provide depth.
u/Livos991Aug 1, 2026, 5:28 PM
Need? No. It can help you, if you have goals.
u/Eon_Tal1Aug 1, 2026, 5:37 PM
I could remind you of the words of the creator of Doom, but I'll refrain, because they don't align with my own opinion. Here's what I think: there's a 70/30 rule, where 70% is old, tried-and-tested content and mechanics, and 30% is what you bring from yourself. And nowadays there's just too much coming out; without a unique twist, it's easy to get lost. Analyze the niche, see how many games have been released in it this year and overall, evaluate the competitors — otherwise the game might turn out to be a pale copy of something great. Without this, it's easy to become part of the gray mass. But that's only if you're making a game for sale, not for your own soul. In the latter case, do what you think is right, and maybe you'll create some kind of hit.
u/animatedeez1Aug 1, 2026, 5:58 PM
Well hollow know made a bazillion dollars and it did absolutely nothing new at all. It was just very well polished. I think with all things in this life, sadly, you just got to get really lucky as well.
u/JuanLiebert1Aug 1, 2026, 6:09 PM
I don't think you need something different about your game, just something that's fun to play. Schedule 1 doesn't really have some standout mechanic. You should use your talent and strengths to make certain parts really polished but you don't need anything too unique, just look on Steam
u/RockyMullet1Aug 1, 2026, 6:13 PM
That's often what is referred as a "hook". Generally something you can say in like a single sentence to quickly describe your game. As you start trying to promote your game, you'll end up repeating it A LOT, so it's good thing to know what that hook is.