Editing Game mechanics (section)

{{short description|Construct, rule, or method designed for interaction with a game's state}}In [[tabletop game]]s and [[video game]]s, '''game mechanics''' define how a game works for players.<ref name="designing-games">{{cite book |last=Sylvester |first=Tynan |date=2013 |title=Designing Games: A Guide to Engineering Experiences |publisher=O'Reilly Media |page=7 |isbn=978-1449337933 }}</ref> Game mechanics are the rules or [[ludeme]]s that govern and guide player actions, as well as the game's response to them. A rule is an instruction on how to play, while a ludeme is an element of play, such as the L-shaped move of the knight in chess.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theknowledgeguru.com/learning-game-design-mechanics/|title=Learning Game Design: Game Mechanics|last=Boller|first=Sharon|date=17 July 2013|website=Knowledge Guru|access-date=11 August 2020}}</ref> The interplay of various mechanics determines the game's complexity and how the players interact with the game. All games use game mechanics; however, different [[Game studies|theories]] disagree about their degree of importance to a game. The process and study of [[game design]] includes efforts to develop game mechanics that engage players. 

Common examples of game mechanics include turn-taking, movement of tokens, set collection, bidding, capture, and [[Magic systems in games|spell slots]].