In our game, ISPS, the core loop centers around sorting packages, transporting them, and delivering them to various planets. Players will have to balance their money and reputation, picking which planet’s demands to comply to. Early in the game, the focus is on teaching the basics: how to identify package types and how to efficiently navigate the transport system. As players progress, the loop introduces more complexity—more packages to sort, new planets to unlock, and diverse delivery conditions to manage. This creates a repetition of challenge and reward as players gradually master each element of the system only after multiple attempts.
The progression of the game is structured around unlocking new planets, each of which introduces unique types of packages and increasingly complex delivery requirements. As players unlock more planets, the scope of their mail network expands, and they will have to decide which routes and methods of transportation to take to ensure that their packages are delivered on time and efficiently. The values embedded in the game revolve around discovery and optimization. Players discover new planets and systems to trade with, expanding their understanding of the interplanetary postal network. Additionally, the opportunity to upgrade and automate parts of the system encourages strategic thinking and efficiency. The value of progression comes not only from unlocking new areas but from becoming more adept at managing the complexities of the growing network.
The game arc is growth and increasing mastery. Early levels are relatively simple, allowing players to experiment and learn at a comfortable pace. As players gain more experience and unlock more planets, the stakes rise, requiring them to make faster, smarter decisions. The arc encourages personal improvement, with each new planet presenting a new challenge to overcome. By tracking players’ ability to optimize their deliveries over time, we can measure their increasing mastery of the postal system and compare their performance against optimal solutions, ensuring that the learning experience deepens as the game progresses.
