The Thrill of Uncertainty: Why Risk and Reward Are Core to Game Design
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The ability and desire to take risks are inherent to the human condition. In order to survive, our prehistoric ancestors had to make certain risky decisions, and gauge the possible reward that would stem from said decisions. Perhaps, that is why, to this day some people feel the need to take enormous risk, just to feel a thrill.
Risk-taking manifests itself in multiple ways. We see people who take part in extreme sports, literally risking their lives just for a bit of fun. But, there are other ways to get a thrill. Gambling and sports betting online have recently grown in popularity, becoming most people’s go to hobby, for risk-taking. But, what about the people who want to feel like they are taking a risk, without actually endangering themselves in any way?
Risk in Game Design
The gaming sector is the fastest growing entertainment market in the world today. Not only are more people playing video games than ever before, but the medium is also gaining respect in the mainstream. Most people today perceive video games as art, rather than just a childish pastime. But, why have games become such a huge hit?
Believe it or not, the success of the industry has a lot to do with the implementation of risk and reward in game design. Developers are becoming increasingly aware of players’ desire for a challenge, as shown by the success of FromSoftware’s Dark Souls franchise. Unlike most action RPG games, Dark Souls requires players to spend a good deal of time coming up with strategies to win the game.
But, strategizing is not always enough. Sometimes, it really comes down to luck. Dodging the enemy’s attack at just the right moment, or hitting them at just the right time to cause serious damage. Of course, when it all comes down to luck, a degree of risk is involved. The interesting thing is that, seemingly, a lot of FromSoftware’s fans seem to be attracted to this risk-reward gameplay.
Balancing Risk and Reward
Risk may be a core aspect of game design. However, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. If the game involves too much risk, at a certain point, it will put fans off. That is why, the best games try to balance risk and reward, keeping players satisfied all the while. The question one might ask here is, how can we know when a game has become too risky?
The truth is, it is a hard line to draw in the sand. As we mentioned before, The Dark Souls franchise is a huge success. However, for every fan of the series, there is also a person who has been put off by the difficulty. The same can be said for any game that has a reputation as “too difficult,” and the reason for that is that there will always be gamers who welcome the challenge.
Still, even the most difficult of games require some kind of payoff. That is where the balancing comes in; not in limiting risk, but in upping the rewards. Often, when playing a difficult game, the thrill of beating a difficult boss is undercut by the fact that we’ve gotten nothing out of them. That is why game designers now try their best to reward players at every step. It can be anything from a really powerful item in the game, to some cool bits and pieces of lore. The reward is what really matters when taking risks.
Why Some Gravitate to Risk?
Most people understand that risk is an inherent part of game design. But, why might that be? Simply put, a lot of people welcome a challenge, but want to avoid danger. Video games can be thrilling, exciting, and incredibly challenging, but at the end of the day, we are still safe playing these titles in our home. As hard as a game like Elden Ring may be, losing to one of the first bosses ten times in a row can only result in frustration, but no actual danger.
The truth is that difficult video games, that require players to take risks in order to win the game, are an excellent, safe substitute for other adrenaline-pumping activities like ice climbing, snowboarding, or any of the other extreme sports. A lot of people are just looking for some excitement. Video games are the perfect way to get some thrill, without putting too much on the line. That being said, there are plenty of people who are not too impressed with high-risk, difficult games.
Why Some Might Not Like Risk
On the other end of the spectrum are the people who view video games, not as a challenge, but as a cool down; a break from reality, to which they can escape when they are overwhelmed by their real world struggles. Naturally, gamers that take this approach will not want to worry about overcoming incredible difficulties in the world of games as well. So, for the most part, these kinds of fans stay far away from risk-based, hard titles.
Certainly, players always welcome a challenge. But, when a game gets to be too challenging, that is when a lot of people turn away from it. The truth is, even in 2025, most people who play games do so casually, and simply don’t want to spend hours mastering their moves, just to realize that the next boss they are facing off requires a completely different skill set. It may be fun for some, but a lot of people would prefer to stick to milder games, that can still provide a challenge of some kind.
Final Thoughts
Risk is a core aspect of gameplay. But, without reward, risk is just going to infuriate the customers. In fact, there are many players who prefer to avoid risk all together, and stick to easier games, that don’t require much strategy, or forethought. Whatever side of the spectrum you may fall on, it is important to note that there are people out there whose preferences may differ.
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