Game Dev Essentials
Blogs & articles

All things game design and production.

Designing an Engaging Gameplay Loop: The Ultimate Guide

September 29, 2025

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Alex Mochi
Discover what a gameplay loop really is, why it’s the foundation of engaging design and how to build a core game loop that keeps players hooked from the start.

The Secrets of Effective Game Design Production: Tips from an Industry Veteran

September 15, 2025

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Alex Mochi
Learn the secrets of effective game design production, from setting clear goals to building a flexible game dev pipeline. Discover how to streamline the game development process without losing creativity.

Designing a Game Economy 101: The Ultimate Guide for Game Devs

September 8, 2025

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Alex Mochi
Discover the principles of game dev economy design – from balancing ‘faucets and sinks’ to fair monetisation. Learn how to build an in-game economy that keeps players engaged without breaking trust.

What Makes a Good Game?

September 1, 2025

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Alex Mochi
Explore the core elements that create engaging gameplay: loops, challenge, feedback, player agency and progression – Learn how to make a great game.

The Ultimate Guide to Indie Game Production

August 28, 2025

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Alex Mochi
A practical guide on indie game production for aspiring video game designers from solo dev to AAA. Learn how avoid indie traps: scope creep, bloated teams and endless iteration.

Designing for Fun: How to Choose the Right Game Mechanics

August 18, 2025

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Alex Mochi
This is my guide to designing the ‘fun’ into games. Learn how to drive player agency, enable emergent gameplay and craft satisfying game feedback loops.