Maths In Games
Can a video game level be too easy or too hard?
Use data, testing and averages to explore fair challenge design.
Quick answer
Yes, a video game level can be too easy or too hard, and game designers use maths like averages and data to make sure levels are just right for players.Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will be able to use data and averages to decide if a video game level is too easy or too hard. Success signs:- You can collect data about how many times players complete a level
- You can calculate the average number of tries
- You can tell if a level is fair based on the average
- You can suggest changes to make a level more fun
Why this matters
When you play a video game, you want it to be fun and challenging, not boring or frustrating. Game designers use maths to make sure that every level is just right. They collect data about how long it takes players to complete levels, how many times they try, and how many mistakes they make. Then they use averages to find out if a level is too easy or too hard. If a level is too easy, players might get bored. If it's too hard, they might get upset and stop playing. Using maths helps designers make levels that are just right for everyone.How it works
Making a fair game level is like being a detective. Game designers collect information about players' experiences and then use maths to understand what's happening. Here's how they do it: First, they ask players to play the level and record how many times they try to complete it. Then they add up all the tries and divide by the number of players. This gives them the average number of tries. If the average is very low, the level is probably too easy. If it's very high, the level is probably too hard. Let's say you're testing a level where players need to collect coins. You ask 5 players to try it and record how many times they try:- Player 1: 3 tries
- Player 2: 5 tries
- Player 3: 4 tries
- Player 4: 6 tries
- Player 5: 2 tries
Examples you can see
Let's imagine you're designing a game where players must jump over obstacles. You want to make sure the level is fair for everyone. Here's how you might test it: Example 1: Jumping Game You test the level with 6 players and record their tries:- Player 1: 7 tries
- Player 2: 5 tries
- Player 3: 8 tries
- Player 4: 6 tries
- Player 5: 9 tries
- Player 6: 4 tries
- Add all tries: 7 + 5 + 8 + 6 + 9 + 4 = 39 tries
- Divide by number of players: 39 ÷ 6 = 6.5 tries
- Player 1: 1 try
- Player 2: 2 tries
- Player 3: 1 try
- Player 4: 2 tries
- Add all tries: 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 6 tries
- Divide by number of players: 6 ÷ 4 = 1.5 tries
- Player 1: 15 tries
- Player 2: 12 tries
- Player 3: 14 tries
- Player 4: 16 tries
- Player 5: 13 tries
- Add all tries: 15 + 12 + 14 + 16 + 13 = 70 tries
- Divide by number of players: 70 ÷ 5 = 14 tries
Try it as a mini adventure
Adventure: Design Your Own Fair Level You are a game designer! Your job is to create a level that is just right for players. Step 1: Choose a simple game idea – maybe collecting stars, jumping over gaps, or solving puzzles. Step 2: Design a simple version of your level. Step 3: Ask 5 friends or family members to play it and record how many tries each person needs to finish. Step 4: Add up all the tries and divide by 5 to find the average. Step 5: Decide if the level is too easy, too hard, or just right. Step 6: If it's not right, make small changes and test again. Example:- Level: Collect 10 coins
- Player 1: 8 tries
- Player 2: 10 tries
- Player 3: 9 tries
- Player 4: 11 tries
- Player 5: 7 tries
Common mistakes
- Mistake: Not collecting enough data
Why it happens: Players think one or two tests are enough
Fix: Always test with at least 5 people to get a good average - Mistake: Thinking that one player's score is the same as the whole group
Why it happens: Children think one person's score is enough to decide
Fix: Remember that averages use data from many people - Mistake: Not using the correct maths to find the average
Why it happens: Confusing adding and dividing
Fix: Add all the numbers first, then divide by how many numbers there are - Mistake: Thinking that a high average means the level is good
Why it happens: Players think more tries = more skill
Fix: A high average means the level is too hard, not better
Parent and carer guide
Parents and carers can help children understand how averages work by:- Playing games together and recording how many tries it takes to finish
- Using everyday situations like cooking or shopping to talk about averages
- Encouraging children to ask questions about why a game is easy or hard
- Helping children collect data and calculate averages
- Noticing when children get frustrated or bored and discussing how to fix it
Practice questions
- 5 players try a level. Their tries are: 4, 6, 5, 7, 3. What is the average?
- 3 players try a level. Their tries are: 12, 10, 14. What is the average?
- 6 players try a level. Their tries are: 2, 3, 4, 3, 2, 5. What is the average?
- If a level has an average of 10 tries, is it too easy or too hard?
- If a level has an average of 2 tries, is it too easy or too hard?
- 4 + 6 + 5 + 7 + 3 = 25. 25 ÷ 5 = 5 tries
- 12 + 10 + 14 = 36. 36 ÷ 3 = 12 tries
- 2 + 3 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 5 = 19. 19 ÷ 6 = 3.17 tries (rounded to 3.2)
- Too hard – 10 tries is high
- Too easy – 2 tries is very low
FAQ
Q: What is an average?
An average is the number you get when you add up all the numbers and then divide by how many numbers there are.
Q: Why do game designers use averages?
Game designers use averages to understand what most players experience. This helps them make levels that are fair for everyone.
Q: Can one person's score tell us if a level is good?
No. One person's score is just one data point. Averages use many scores to give a better picture of how the level works.
Q: What makes a level too hard?
A level is too hard when the average number of tries is very high – like 10 or more tries. Players get frustrated and give up.
Q: What makes a level too easy?
A level is too easy when the average number of tries is very low – like 1 or 2 tries. Players finish too quickly and get bored.