Core loop design

Core Loop Design

Purpose

Define the primary player activity loop and the support loops that sustain mastery, variety, and progression.

Use When

• a concept needs gameplay structure
• the current loop feels unfocused
• new systems risk diluting the core fantasy

Inputs

• product pillars
• target audience
• competitive references
• session and progression goals

Process

1. state what the player repeatedly does and why it is satisfying
2. map supporting loops that reinforce the core loop
3. identify inputs, feedback, rewards, and failure points
4. test whether the loop fits the intended session length and mastery curve
5. cut systems that do not serve the loop

Outputs

• core loop definition
• support loop map
• design constraints
• candidate tutorial beats

Quality Bar

• the loop is expressible as a closed cycle of player actions, rewards, and re-entry motivation
• each loop step names the player verb, the feedback, and a duration target
• supporting loops (session, progression, economy) are explicitly connected to the core loop
• the loop is testable in a gray-box build without final art

Common Failure Modes

• loops that depend on content volume instead of repeatable mechanics
• reward steps without a defined re-entry hook back into the loop
• a core loop tuned only on paper, never validated in a playable slice
• conflating the core loop with the meta progression that wraps it

Related Agents

• systems-designer
• gdd-designer
• level-designer

Related Commands

• gdd
• plan
• onboarding

Notes

• Keep this skill aligned with the relevant rules layer and current project documentation.
• If engine-specific constraints materially change the workflow, hand off to the matching engine skill or engine-specific reviewer.