My process revolves around three stages: Observe, Ideate, Refine.
Observe
The goal: Extract actionable insights by understanding the player experience.
Research: Conduct field research to obtain player insights. Go where your players go. Observe the experiences they are having and the value they are taking away from those experiences.
Empathy: Get in the player's head. A good designer is an advocate for the player, anticipating their needs and aspirations. What are they seeking? What are they expecting? What do they not yet know they want?
Epiphanies: Look for patterns, pain points, and moments of delight—turn these into design opportunities.
Ideate
Define the problem statement clearly.
Approach the problem from multiple perspectives: casual vs. competitive, theme vs. mechanics, player choice vs. constraints.
Ask critical questions:
Can interplaying mechanics solve the problem?
Does the theme or narrative suggest a solution?
Is this problem an opportunity in disguise?
Brainstorm solutions using creative tools like mind maps, decision trees, and thematic synthesis.
Refine
Prototype early and often—insights often emerge through tangible exploration.
By refining your design solutions, you begin to better understand the design problem.
Use iteration to deepen your understanding of the problem. Often, the best solution is one that emerges late in the process.
Playtest rigorously: refine solutions based on player feedback.
Monitor post-implementation to ensure the solution achieves its intended outcomes.