It's similar to--not the same, but similar in the mechanism--the issue with fixating on emergence. You think "oh wow, this is one of my strengths, guess I'll play to one of my strengths" when you should be thinking "this is one of my strengths, how can I accentuate it for maximum effect?"

Play your fave game. Then, in your mind, start to do What Ifs? What would improve the experience, or change it into something new?

This is why modding makes great designers. You pull apart a system to replace it and find out the downstream effects.

Now applying that lesson to all gameplay, what are the enjoyable experiences you want to give the player? Power? Fear? Panic? Horniness? Longing? Stonks? Stability? Etc

What are the mechanics you need to design to bring that out? Forget all other games, what does those exact things?

Games are interactive experiences. Interaction means choices. Choices need meaning - they have results, rewards, consequences. Choices with intent is strategy.

Playing the game is just skimming that surface. You must deconstruct it all. Pull it apart.

my friend just shared this with me

the best part of designing a space is imagining an inept organization operating within that space and fucking it all up. this is my fav joke so far

Like i stress myself out, twist myself up in knots thinking "what if someone gets this thing and feels like I wasted their time??" I cant stand it. I try to let it go and just create.

And meanwhile people with more money than God want to shovel cement down your throat and call it lunch.