What makes a good building system?

Help and Feedback Game Design Support
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#1

My question: What do you think makes a good building system?

  1. What do you want to achieve?
    I am currently making a building system for my game. Looking back at my original plan for how to do building, it seems overcomplicated and doesn’t offer much customization for players. So I have a question: what makes a good building system? I want to have basic objects like walls, doors, stairs, etc., but also have a unique building system that is different from other building games. My game is a survival type game, so the building system needs to work with crafting and farming systems.
  2. What is the issue?
    I have run out of ideas. I don’t want my game to simply be an ARK or Minecraft ripoff, so I’m trying to think of new ideas. I need to know what elements of building games are most important, so that I can keep those in mind while designing a system.
  3. What solutions have you thought of so far?
    This is what I have so far:

I was planning to add other types like fences, roof, and stairs, but I am stuck because the connecting walls system just doesn’t feel right.

2 Likes
#2

It would probably feel more natural to create fenced walls if you just simply placed Node, then Node and it connected by a single wall. Also, ditch the grid lock system if your gameplay is more dynamic and free floating.

#3

By nodes, you mean a Bloxburg-like system, right? I just don’t want my game to be too similar to other building games, so I’m not exactly going to do that. I like the grid system, but if I find a better way I might get rid of it. But thanks for the feedback!

#4

Little word of advice

Don’t go chasing new methods of doing things just because they are unique. Do what works.

1 Like
#5

I believe many games already have the design down right. If you want a game with a rust or fallout style building system, look at what they do and try to nail that down. If you want it to be a little more unique feel free to experiment with it and try to make it more effiecient even.