Math and probability

5.1 Copy the file

Instructor question

In this section you modify character stats to explore combat modelling.

Open Tiny Pixel Fights - Combat Modelling from the course materials (Google Sheets).

To start editing:

Open the spreadsheet.
File → Make a copy so it lives in your Google account, then go to 5.2.
If you cannot copy, open it while signed into Google.
No Google account: Download → .xlsx or .ods. Spreadsheet formulas may not match perfectly.

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5.2 Balancing Tiny Pixel Fights

Instructor question

You could build a combat model from scratch; here we jump to balancing.

The base game is very deterministic, so it is less fun once you have “cracked the code.” Change numbers and add a bit of randomness if you have not already.

In the spreadsheet, only edit cells with an orange background. Other cells are calculated from those.

The file has three sections:

Stats — default stats for all cards
Combat Matrix — result of every matchup
Combat Results — counts and percentages from the matrix. Win % helps you spot overpowered (OP) cards

Change orange values until you think they suit your game. Paste screenshots of all three sections below (or describe the numbers if you cannot paste images here).

Gabriel’s tip

You may have added mechanics already. Modelling them is optional. Spreadsheets take time if you are new; you can come back later, especially if you keep developing the game after the course.

Reflection opportunity

Balancing can make or break a game. Even huge companies ship poorly balanced games. Why is that so common? (Hint: it relates to the next section.)

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5.3 Playtesting your balance

Instructor question

You now have a better idea of fixed, random, and procedural elements, plus your 5.2 reflection.

Use that, and the process from Lesson 2, and playtest the values. Results may surprise you. If you changed values, paste or describe the updated STATS section.

This is a good time to use the interactive PDF if you prefer a digital play surface.

Gabriel’s tip

If you re-balance, go wild. Tiny tweaks teach less than big swings. If your hypothesis was right you will land in the middle; if not, you still get a better balance.

Reflection opportunity

Would a 100% symmetric game (all characters the same stats, “perfectly balanced”) be more engaging than asymmetry or imbalance? If every character has the same chance to win by the numbers, is that more fun? Could special powers fix a problem? Try this by changing stats.

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Lesson check

Quiz