Game balance is an important aspect of game design that can greatly impact the player experience. In single-player games, balance refers to whether the challenge level is appropriate for the audience. In multiplayer games, balance can refer to whether one starting position is easier to win with than another, or whether different strategies or paths to victory within the game are equally viable. Within a system that has several similar game objects, such as cards in a trading-card game or weapons in a role-playing game, balance refers to whether different objects have the same cost/benefit ratio. Balancing a game is not a one-time process; it requires ongoing playtesting and tweaking to ensure that the game remains balanced as players become more skilled and new strategies emerge. This can be a time-consuming process, but it is critical to the success of the game. Players will quickly become frustrated if the game is too easy or too difficult, or if certain strategies or game objects are overpowered. One of the challenges of game balance is that not all players are the same. Even within a narrow target audience, players will have different skill levels and preferences. Playtesting with a diverse group of players can help to identify areas where the game may be unbalanced, and where certain strategies/game objects may be overpowered. Overall, game balance is a complex and ongoing process that requires careful attention and iteration to get right. When done well, it can greatly enhance the player experience and keep players coming back for more.
