Why game designers need maths

Quick answer

Game designers use maths to make games fair, exciting, and fun. They use numbers, patterns, shapes, and measurements to balance game elements, decide how points are scored, and create challenges that keep players interested.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand how maths helps game designers make games that feel fair and exciting to play.

• You can explain how numbers help make games balanced.
• You can use simple maths to design a small game challenge.
• You can spot how maths is used in games you play.
• You can describe how shapes and measurements help game design.

Why this matters

Maths helps game designers create games that are not only fun but also fair and exciting. When you play a game, you probably don’t notice the maths behind it, but it’s there. Whether it’s a board game, a video game, or a sport, maths makes sure the game works well for everyone. Understanding this helps you appreciate how games are made and how you can even design your own games!

How it works

Game designers use different kinds of maths to build games. Here are the main ways:

1. Numbers and counting – To decide how many points to give, how many lives to have, or how many levels to make.
2. Patterns and sequences – To make sure games get harder in a fair way, so players don’t get bored or frustrated.
3. Shapes and space – To make sure game levels look good and are easy to move around in.
4. Measurement – To make sure game objects are the right size, speed, and distance.

Examples you can see

Let’s look at how these maths ideas work in real games.

Numbers and Counting

Imagine you’re designing a game where players collect coins. If you give 1 coin for every 10 points, and the game has 100 points, how many coins will players get?

100 ÷ 10 = 10 coins

This is a simple division problem. Game designers use this to make sure rewards are fair.

Patterns and Sequences

Think about a game where you get stronger each level. If you start with 5 lives and lose 1 life every 3 levels, how many lives will you have after 9 levels?

Levels 1–3: 5 lives
Levels 4–6: 4 lives
Levels 7–9: 3 lives

So after 9 levels, you have 3 lives. This kind of pattern keeps the game challenging but not too hard.

Shapes and Space

In a video game, designers use shapes to build platforms and obstacles. A square platform is easier to jump on than a long, thin rectangle. They also use symmetry to make levels look balanced and pleasing to the eye.

Measurement

When a character moves in a game, designers decide how fast it goes. If a character moves 10 steps per second, how far will it go in 5 seconds?

10 × 5 = 50 steps

This helps make sure the game feels smooth and responsive.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: Design a Game Challenge!

You are a game designer working on a new game. Your game is about collecting stars. Here’s your challenge:

1. Players start with 3 lives.
2. Each level gives 2 stars.
3. After 5 levels, players lose 1 life.
4. How many stars will players have after 10 levels?

Let’s work this out:

1. Levels 1–5: 5 levels × 2 stars = 10 stars
2. Levels 6–10: 5 levels × 2 stars = 10 stars
3. Total stars: 10 + 10 = 20 stars
4. Lives after 5 levels: 3 – 1 = 2 lives
5. Lives after 10 levels: 2 – 1 = 1 life

You’ve created a fun challenge that uses numbers and patterns!

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking that giving more points always makes a game better.
  Why it happens: Players might think more points = more fun, but too many points can make a game feel unfair or too easy.
  Fix: Game designers balance rewards with challenges so that players feel rewarded but not overwhelmed.
• Mistake: Making levels too hard too quickly.
  Why it happens: Designers might think players want a challenge, but if it’s too hard, they get frustrated.
  Fix: Use patterns to make levels get harder gradually, so players improve and stay interested.
• Mistake: Ignoring shapes and space in game design.
  Why it happens: Designers might focus on gameplay but forget how levels look and feel.
  Fix: Use simple shapes and measurements to make levels clear and fun to navigate.

Parent and carer guide

Parents and carers can help children understand how maths is used in games by:

1. Playing games together and asking questions like: “How many points did you get?” or “How many levels did you finish?”
2. Encouraging children to think about how games could be changed or improved using numbers or shapes.
3. Looking at games together and noticing how the design uses maths – like how fast characters move or how many lives they have.
4. Letting children try making their own simple games using maths – like making a board game with a scoring system.
5. Noticing when children are using maths without realising it – like counting steps, comparing sizes, or figuring out how many items they need.

Remember, it’s not about getting the right answer every time – it’s about enjoying the process of learning and problem-solving!

Practice questions

1. How many coins will you get if you collect 30 points and get 1 coin for every 5 points?
2. If a game gives 3 points for every 2 items collected, how many points do you get for 10 items?
3. A character moves 8 steps per second. How far will it go in 6 seconds?
4. If a player starts with 5 lives and loses 1 life every 4 levels, how many lives will they have after 12 levels?
5. In a game, each level gives 4 stars. How many stars will a player have after 7 levels?

Answers:

1. 30 ÷ 5 = 6 coins
2. 10 ÷ 2 = 5 groups, 5 × 3 = 15 points
3. 8 × 6 = 48 steps
4. 12 ÷ 4 = 3 lives lost, 5 – 3 = 2 lives
5. 7 × 4 = 28 stars

FAQ

Why do game designers use maths?

Game designers use maths to make games feel fair, exciting, and fun. They use numbers to balance rewards and challenges, and they use shapes and measurements to make levels look good and work well.

Can I use maths to design my own games?

Yes! You can use simple maths to make your own games. Think about how many points you give, how many lives players have, or how fast characters move. These are all maths problems!

What kind of maths do game designers use?

Game designers use a lot of maths including numbers, counting, patterns, shapes, space, and measurements. They use all of these to make games that work well for players.

Do all games use maths?

Yes! Even simple games like tag or hide and seek use maths. You count how many players are in the game, you measure how far you run, and you decide how long to play. All of this is maths!

How can I learn more about maths in games?

You can play more games and notice how they use numbers, shapes, and patterns. You can also try making your own games using simple maths ideas like scoring, timing, or movement.