What is the 5-Component Filter in this skill?

The 5-Component Filter is a framework consisting of Clarity, Motivation, Response, Satisfaction, and Fit used to evaluate if a game mechanic is meaningful and engaging for the player.

Can it help fix gameplay that 'feels wrong'?

Yes, the skill includes a specialized debugging protocol that prioritizes issues like input buffering and telegraphing before attempting to tune numeric values like damage or speed.

Is this skill specific to a particular game engine?

No, it focuses on the logic, state management, and player-facing experience of game design, making it compatible with Unity, Unreal, Godot, or custom engines.

How does this skill help with game balance and tuning?

It enforces a strict 'Numbers Policy' that requires Claude to provide either source-backed data from industry references or an explicit test plan with pass/fail metrics for any proposed values.

Game Design Framework

Name: Game Design Framework
Author: rbergman

byrbergman

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Game Development

Evaluates and implements game mechanics with a focus on player experience and systematic balance through a rigorous design framework.

About

The Game Design Framework skill transforms Claude into a specialized game design consultant that prioritizes 'Relevance' over simple feature completion. It utilizes a proprietary 5-Component Filter—Clarity, Motivation, Response, Satisfaction, and Fit—to ensure every mechanic resonates with the player. By enforcing a strict 'Numbers Policy' for balancing and a comprehensive State Machine Checklist for player actions, this skill helps developers move beyond guesswork to create polished, professional-grade gameplay systems. It is particularly useful for debugging subjective issues like 'clunky' feel or 'boring' progression by providing structured rubrics and evidence-based tuning protocols.

Key Features

5-Component Filter for systematic player experience evaluation
Source-backed Numbers Policy for evidence-based game balancing
Automated playtest scenario generation for mechanic validation
Comprehensive State Machine Checklist for movement and combat actions
Subjective debugging protocol for 'gameplay feel' and responsiveness
1 GitHub stars

Use Cases

Designing and tuning player movement abilities like 'Coyote Time' or dash mechanics
Diagnosing and fixing mechanics that feel 'laggy,' 'clunky,' or 'unrewarding'
Balancing combat systems and resource economies with evidence-based data

About

Key Features

5-Component Filter for systematic player experience evaluation
Source-backed Numbers Policy for evidence-based game balancing
Automated playtest scenario generation for mechanic validation
Comprehensive State Machine Checklist for movement and combat actions
Subjective debugging protocol for 'gameplay feel' and responsiveness
1 GitHub stars

Use Cases

Designing and tuning player movement abilities like 'Coyote Time' or dash mechanics
Diagnosing and fixing mechanics that feel 'laggy,' 'clunky,' or 'unrewarding'
Balancing combat systems and resource economies with evidence-based data