The Lens of Punishment

Punishment must be used delicately. Balanced appropriately, it will make your game more meaningful, and provide successful players with a real sense of pride. To examine the punishment in your game, ask yourself these questions:

• What are the punishments in my game?
• Why am I punishing the players? What do I hope to achieve by it?
• Do my punishments seem fair to the players? Why or why not?
• Is there a way to turn these punishments into rewards and get the same, or better effect?
• Are my strong punishments balanced against commensurately strong rewards?