Types of Challenges in Computer and Video Games
CSSE 290 – Computer Game Design
Winter 2010–2011

This list is taken from pages 19-20 of Fundamentals of Game Design, by Ernest Adams and Andrew Rollings. The challenge types are discussed on pages 261-275 of that book.

Challenge Type Classic Example
Physical Coordination Challenges:  
  • Speed and reaction time
Tetris
  • Accuracy or precision (steering, shooting)
Need for Speed
  • Timing and rhythm
Dance Dance Revolution
  • Learning combination moves
Street Fighter
Formal Logic Challenges:  
  • Deduction and decoding
Mastermind
Pattern Recognition Challenges:  
  • Static patterns
Heaven and Earth, choosing an optimal layout for cards
  • Patterns of movement and change
Sonic the Hedgehog, behavior patterns of enemies
Time Pressure:  
  • Beating the clock
Frogger
  • Achieveing something before someone else
Indycar Racing
Memory and Knowledge Challenges:  
  • Trivia
You Don't Know Jack
  • Recollection of objects or patterns
Concentration
Challenge Type Classic Example
Exploration Challenges:  
  • Identifying spatial relationships
Descent, navigating in three dimensions
  • Finding keys (unlocking any space)
Ultima
  • Finding hidden passages
Doom
  • Mazes and illogical spaces
Zork
Conflict:  
  • Strategy, tactics, and logistics
Warcraft, commanding armies
  • Survival
Pac-Man, avoiding being caught
  • Reduction of enemy forces
Half-Life, killing aliens
  • Defending vulnerable items or units
ICO, looking after a little girl who can't fight
  • Stealth
Thief: The Dark Project, avoiding being seen
Economic Challenges:  
  • Accumulating resources or points (growth)
Civilization
  • Establishing efficient production systems
The Settlers
  • Achieving balance or stability in a system
SimEarth
  • Caring for living things
Creatures
Conceptual Reasoning Challenges:  
  • Sifting clues from red herrings
Law and Order, solving crimes
  • Detecting hidden meanings
Planescape: Torment, understanding characters' motivations from vague hints
  • Understanding social relationships
Facade, reconciling a quarreling couple
  • Lateral thinking
The Incredible Machine, building a machine from limited parts
Creation/Construction Challenges:  
  • Aesthetic success (beauty or elegance)
The Sims, assembling a photo album
  • Construction with a functional goal
Mind Rover, designing a fighting robot