Pro Survey - True Game Metrics

Your expert analysis is the foundation of our Degree of Difficulty (DD) scores. Assess the complexity of the development task, not the quality of the final result.

1. Narrative / Storytelling Complexity

This measures the structural complexity and developmental ambition of a game's narrative systems.

Core Narrative Structure

[1] Linear: The game follows a single, unchangeable story path.

[2] Minor Variations: The main story is linear, but features cosmetic or dialogue variations.

[3] Branching Acts: Contains major choices that lead to different mid-game sections before converging.

[4] Multiple Endings: Choices lead to several distinct, mutually exclusive endings.

[5] Fully Reactive Plot: Multiple major branches and endings, with the world state fundamentally changing based on player actions.

2. Art Direction / Visuals Complexity

This measures the scale and technical ambition of the game's visual assets and rendering technology.

Asset Variety & Scale

[1] Limited Set: Reuses the same environments and character models frequently.

[2] Themed Sets: Distinct sets of assets for different regions, with repetition within zones.

[3] High Variety: Most regions have unique assets, with significant variation in character and enemy models.

[4] Vast & Unique: A massive world where almost every area feels distinct, with an enormous roster of unique assets.

3. Sound Design / Music Complexity

This measures the complexity of the audio systems, not just the quality of the soundtrack.

Musical Score System

[1] Static Tracks: Music tracks play on a loop within specific areas or levels.

[2] Simple Transitions: Music fades or crossfades between exploration and combat themes.

[3] Layered & Dynamic: The musical score is composed of multiple layers that are added or removed based on game state or tension.

[4] Fully Procedural/Adaptive Score: The music is generated or rearranged in real-time by a complex system reacting to gameplay events.

4. UI / UX Complexity

This measures the complexity of the information systems the UI must manage.

Accessibility (A11y) Feature Set

[1] Basic Options: Standard options like subtitles and volume control.

[2] Common Features: Includes common options like colorblind modes and remappable controls.

[3] Extensive Suite: A dedicated accessibility menu with a wide array of options for motor, cognitive, visual, and auditory needs.

5. Innovation / Originality

This measures the degree to which the game introduces truly new mechanics or ideas.

Core Gameplay Loop

[1] Established Formula: Adheres strictly to the established conventions of its genre.

[2] Refinement: Polishes and iterates on existing genre mechanics without introducing significant new ideas.

[3] Novel Combination: Blends core mechanics from two or more distinct genres in a new or unexpected way.

[4] Truly Novel Mechanic: Introduces a core gameplay mechanic or concept that has few or no direct precedents in the market.

True Game Metrics

DD Assessment: Game