Core Loop Design Tool

Analyze and design the fundamental gameplay loops that drive engagement.

Process

1. Identify current loop (or design new):

   • What does the player DO most often?
   • What FEEDBACK do they receive?
   • What REWARD do they get?

2. Map loop hierarchy:

   • Micro loop (seconds): moment-to-moment actions
   • Core loop (minutes): main gameplay cycle
   • Meta loop (hours): session-level progression

3. Analyze connections:

   • How do micro rewards feed core loop?
   • How do core rewards feed meta loop?
   • What motivates continuing?

4. Identify progression:

   • What progression type? (vertical, horizontal, skill, content)
   • How visible is progression?
   • What's the progression curve?

5. Economy check:

   • What resources exist?
   • Where do they come from (sources)?
   • Where do they go (sinks)?
   • Is economy balanced?

6. Engagement analysis:

   • Where might players get bored?
   • Where might players get frustrated?
   • What creates "one more turn" feeling?

Output

Create docs/design/core-loop.md with:

# Core Loop Design

## Loop Summary
Micro (Xs): [action] → [feedback] → [reward]
Core (Xm): [cycle description]
Meta (Xh): [session/campaign structure]

## Loop Diagram
[ASCII diagram of loop flow]

## Progression
- Type: [vertical/horizontal/skill/content]
- Curve: [description]
- Visibility: [how player sees progress]

## Economy
| Resource | Sources | Sinks |
|----------|---------|-------|
| [name] | [list] | [list] |

## Engagement Risks
[Identified problems and solutions]

## Action Items
[Changes to implement]

Tips

• The loop IS the game—get this right
• Test micro loop first (does it feel good?)
• Every loop level should reward somehow
• Economy should slightly favor progression feeling