AxiomGames

In video game design, the establishment of rules determines the player’s experience, challenge, and balance of the game. Rule theory is a theoretical framework for abstracting rules that helps us understand game mechanisms from a higher level. In this article, we will use the classic game of “Rock, Paper, Scissors” as an example to introduce the basic concepts of rule theory and explore its application in video game design.

What is Rule Theory?

The core idea of rule theory is to abstract specific rules into different “rule spaces” and then further discuss the nature and characteristics of these spaces. By doing so, we can systematically analyze different types of game rules and design more engaging, balanced, and deep game experiences.

Breaking Down the Rules of Rock, Paper, Scissors

Most people are familiar with the simple game of “Rock, Paper, Scissors.” This game involves two players, three gestures (Rock, Paper, Scissors), and clear winning and losing relationships: Rock beats Scissors, Scissors beat Paper, and Paper beats Rock.

By analyzing this, we can break down the game into two types of rules:

1. Constraint Rules (Rule Set G1)

• Two players participate in the game
• Both players make their moves simultaneously

This rule set describes the basic conditions of the game, specifying the number of participants (two) and the constraint that they must act simultaneously. We refer to this type of control over game behavior as constraint rules.

2. Winning and Losing Rules (Rule Set G2)

In winning and losing rules, we can describe the choices and outcomes of players more precisely. Using A and B to represent the two players, and using propositional forms to describe game outcomes:

• A chooses Paper, B chooses Rock ⇒ A wins, B loses
• A chooses Rock, B chooses Scissors ⇒ A wins, B loses
• A chooses Scissors, B chooses Paper ⇒ A wins, B loses
• A chooses the same gesture as B ⇒ Draw

These rules describe the outcomes of player actions—who wins, who loses, or if it’s a draw. Therefore, we refer to these rules that give meaning to player actions as winning and losing rules.

Structure of Rule Spaces

Through the example of Rock, Paper, Scissors, we find that the rules in a game are often divided into two categories: constraint rules (G1) and winning and losing rules (G2). This rule structure is very common in game design, especially in games involving competition and confrontation. We refer to this structure, which includes both constraint rules and winning and losing rules, as the winning and losing rule space (also known as zero-sum rule space). Depending on the constraints, the winning and losing rule space can be further divided into two-player winning and losing spaces (e.g., Rock, Paper, Scissors) and multi-player winning and losing spaces (e.g., many team-based competitive games).

Application of Rule Theory in Video Game Design

In video game design, rule theory provides a powerful analytical framework to help designers understand game mechanisms from a systemic perspective. Many video games feature similar rule structures:

1. Constraint Rules

Constraint rules determine the basic framework of the game, such as the number of participants, action sequence, and time limits. In Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) games, constraint rules might specify team sizes (e.g., 5v5), match duration (e.g., 30 minutes), and the synchronicity of player actions (e.g., real-time battles).

2. Winning and Losing Rules

Winning and losing rules assign outcomes to player actions. In shooting games, winning and losing rules might stipulate that defeating opposing players results in victory, while in strategy games, destroying the enemy’s base might be the victory condition. Even in seemingly complex games, winning and losing rules can often be simplified into a series of clear action-result relationships.

3. Manifestation of Winning and Losing Rule Spaces in Competitive Games

Competitive games, such as “League of Legends” (LOL) or “Honor of Kings,” can be seen as complex multi-player winning and losing spaces. The constraint rules in these games specify team sizes, map boundaries, and match time constraints. Winning and losing rules describe how to achieve victory by destroying the enemy’s crystal or base and how actions like killing heroes or capturing resource points affect the course of the match.

4. Zero-Sum Mechanisms: Diverse Balance Designs

In winning and losing rule spaces, “zero-sum” is an important concept, meaning one player’s victory must be accompanied by another player’s defeat. Most competitive video games use this zero-sum structure, and designers need to ensure balance between different players within this framework. For example, in card games like “Hearthstone,” designers balance winning and losing rules through the diversity of card combinations and attributes to ensure the game isn’t one-sided.

Designer’s Challenge: Properly Setting Up Rule Spaces

When creating new games, appropriate rule settings are crucial for designers. Constraint rules determine player freedom and the basic game experience, while winning and losing rules give meaning to player actions and help them understand how to win or achieve goals. Poor rule design can lead to imbalance or lack of enjoyment, while excellent rule design can provide fairness, challenge, and a sense of achievement for players.

During the design process, designers need to clarify:

Diversity of Winning and Losing Conditions: Are there multiple ways to win in the game? Are the winning and losing rules balanced and challenging?

Core Gameplay: How do constraint rules and winning and losing rules combine to achieve the intended game experience?

Player Freedom and Constraints: How to guide player behavior through constraint rules without making them feel restricted?

Conclusion

Rule theory provides a systematic way to understand game rules. By analyzing constraint rules and winning and losing rules within a rule space, we can gain deeper insights into game design and identify areas for optimization. Whether it is a simple game like Rock, Paper, Scissors or a complex multiplayer competitive game, rule theory can help designers create balanced, engaging, and strategic game worlds.

In future video game design, as rules evolve and become more complex , rule theory may offer designers broader thinking tools to create more innovative and captivating gaming experiences.