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Maths In Games

Super Mario Maker maths: difficulty data

Use age-appropriate, adult-approved play examples to collect playtest attempts and improve fairness.

Quick answer

Super Mario Maker maths helps you understand how to make games fair and fun by collecting and looking at data from playtesters. You can use this data to improve your game levels and make sure they are not too hard or too easy.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand how to collect and use playtest data to make your game levels fair and enjoyable for others to play. Success signs:
  • You can explain what data means in a game
  • You can record how many times someone plays a level
  • You can compare how many times someone finishes or fails a level
  • You can use this data to make better game levels

Why this matters

When you make a game or level, it's important to know if it's fun and fair. Super Mario Maker lets you build your own levels, but you need to test them first. By collecting data from playtesters, you can see what works and what doesn’t. This helps you make your game better so that more people enjoy it. Whether you're building a level for a friend, playing a game, or even helping a parent with a project, understanding how to collect and use data is useful. It helps you solve problems, make decisions, and make things better.

How it works

Making a game that everyone enjoys is like solving a puzzle. You need to collect information about how people play your game. Here’s how to do it:
  1. Choose a level to test – Pick a level you’ve made to playtest.
  2. Ask friends or family to play it – Let them play and see how they do.
  3. Record what happens – Write down how many times they start, finish, or fail.
  4. Look for patterns – Do most people finish? Do they fail at the same part?
  5. Improve your level – Make changes based on what you learn.

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you're making a Super Mario Maker level. You want to make sure it’s fun, not too hard, and not too easy. Example 1: Recording playtest data You ask 5 friends to play your level. Here’s what they do:
Friend Started Finished Failed
Amy 1 1 0
Bobby 1 0 1
Charlie 1 1 0
Daisy 1 0 1
Ethan 1 1 0
Example 2: Looking at the data From the table, we see:
  • 3 people finished the level
  • 2 people failed
  • It seems like the level is a bit hard for some players
You can now change the level to make it easier or harder, depending on what you want. Example 3: Using data to improve If many players fail at the same spot, you could:
  • Add more platforms
  • Make the enemies smaller or slower
  • Put coins or power-ups in easier places

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Super Mario Maker Challenge You are a game designer making a new level for a friend. You want to make it fun and fair. Here’s how you can do it:
  1. Step 1: Design a level in Super Mario Maker.
  2. Step 2: Ask 4 friends to playtest it.
  3. Step 3: Record how many times each friend:
    • Started the level
    • Finished the level
    • Failed the level
  4. Step 4: Draw a simple table like the one above to show your results.
  5. Step 5: Look at your data and decide what to change in your level.
  6. Step 6: Let your friends play again and see if your changes helped.
This is like being a detective for your game. You collect clues, look for patterns, and then solve the mystery of how to make it better.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Only testing with one person.
    Why it happens: It’s easier to test with one friend.
    Fix: Ask at least 3 or 4 people to playtest. This gives more reliable data.
  • Mistake: Not writing down the results.
    Why it happens: It’s easy to forget what happened.
    Fix: Use a simple table or chart to write down what each person does.
  • Mistake: Making changes without checking the data.
    Why it happens: You might guess what’s wrong instead of seeing the facts.
    Fix: Always look at your data before making changes to the level.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child understand playtest data by:
  • Encouraging them to ask friends or siblings to try their game level
  • Helping them make a simple table to record results
  • Asking questions like: “What do you notice about your data?” or “What would make this easier?”
  • Supporting them to make changes based on the data they collect
  • Letting them lead the process so they learn to think like a game designer
Remember, the goal is not to make a perfect level, but to learn how to improve and solve problems. This is a fun way to practice maths and creativity.

Practice questions

  1. Why is it important to collect data when testing a game?
  2. How many people should you ask to playtest your level?
  3. If 3 out of 5 players finish a level, what does that tell you?
  4. What should you do if many players fail at the same point?
  5. How can you use data to improve your level?
Answers:
  1. To understand if the game is fun and fair
  2. At least 3 or 4 people
  3. The level might be too hard
  4. Change the level to make it easier or adjust the challenges
  5. Make changes based on the patterns you see in the data

FAQ

What is playtest data?

Playtest data is information about how people play a game or level. It includes things like how many times someone starts, finishes, or fails.

Why do we need to test our games?

Testing helps us see if our games are fun and fair. It helps us find problems and make improvements before others play them.

Can I use playtest data from my friends?

Yes! Friends are great playtesters because they can give honest feedback and help you improve your game.

What if my data doesn’t make sense?

That’s okay! Sometimes data can be confusing. You can always ask more people or try again to collect clearer data.

How can I make my game better using data?

You can change parts of your game based on what your data shows. For example, if many players fail at a jump, you can make it easier or add more platforms.