Home/r/IndieDev/2025-07-10/#level-design-underappreciated-pinball-game-insights
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Is Level Design Underappreciated?

r/IndieDev
7/10/2025

Content Summary

The post discusses the challenges of level design in game development through the example of 'A Pinball Game That Makes You Mad'. The developer shares their evolution from basic to improved level design, emphasizing the importance of player experience connection. Comments reveal interest in the unique pinball-platformer concept, concerns about frustration management, and discussions about visibility of game elements. The developer actively engages with feedback, addressing checkpoint implementation and design considerations.

Opinion Analysis

Mainstream opinions praise the innovative combination of pinball and platforming mechanics, with multiple users expressing excitement about streamer potential. Some debate exists around level design appreciation - while OP argues it's underappreciated, one commenter suggests it might be overappreciated. Controversy arises regarding music attribution and differing opinions on gameplay pacing. The developer maintains constructive dialogue, addressing both positive feedback and criticism about element visibility and difficulty balancing.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Steamhttps://store.steampowered.com/app/3796230/A_Pinball_Game_That_Makes_You_Mad/Game DistributionPlatform for game publishing and distribution

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Difficulty in designing engaging level segments
  • Balancing challenge and frustration in gameplay
  • Visibility issues with core gameplay elements (e.g., small ball size)

Problems to Solve:

  • Creating fun and engaging level design
  • Maintaining player engagement through difficulty balancing
  • Ensuring clear visibility of key gameplay elements

Potential Solutions:

  • Implementing optional checkpoints to reduce frustration
  • Iterative level design improvements through playtesting
  • Considering adjustable element sizes for better visibility

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Leveraging Steam platform for game distribution
  • Targeting streamer communities for potential exposure

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Showcasing gameplay evolution through video comparisons
  • Engaging directly with community feedback in comments

Monetization & Product:

  • Planned release timeline (Coming this year)
  • Focus on unique gameplay combination (pinball + platforming)

User Engagement:

  • Implementing optional checkpoints to accommodate different player skill levels
  • Maintaining active developer presence in comment discussions