I’m working on a game with interactive portals.

• Inspired by Portal (2007) and Portal 2 (2011).

Portals connect space, so that going into one portal, you emerge from the other.

This is an incredible mechanic for video games, especially considering you can utilize our understanding of physics (the science of matter, energy, and motion) for mind-bending gameplay.

But— neither Portal games are the kind of games I’d enjoy for long.

• I’ve barely played them!

Design

So, I have some design goals in mind. Good or bad, I’m the reference frame for ‘fun’.

• What then, is fun in video games?
• What did I enjoy about the Portal games?

The most fun I’d have in Portal was traversal. Moving about, smoothly.

Yet, neither Portal games emphasize platforming. It’s really all about the portals.

• From a focused design perspective, it’s ‘perfect’ for what it is.

Portals are the central aspects of the game, and all other mechanics and elements of design are complementary to portals as spatial puzzles. Thus, practically all forms of platforming and traversal are designed around using Portals exclusively to help yourself move along each level.

This is where we differentiate— the game I want to make isn’t solely about Portals.

It’s about physics, and the fun of it: smooth, but responsive traversal.

• Puzzles that complement the flow state and immersion, not forcing you to think too hard, but engaging you with a challenge that’s just the right amount of brainteasing.

If it’s not immediately fun in some way, it doesn’t belong in the game.