Vernacademia Season 1: Episode 4: Examining Game Balance

An examination of the concept of balance in video games with an emphasis on balance of environment and concepts relating to PvP (player vs. player) and PvE (player vs. enemy) play environments.

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Timestamps for different subjects and concepts covered in the cast follow below.

00:30 Let's Talk About Balance
00:49 Difference of Opinion on Balance
01:40 What is Balance
03:00 An Example
07:49 Balance of Environment
09:43 PvP vs PvE
11.57 NPE - Negative Play Experience
12:49 Dark Souls II: Santier's Spear and PvP
16:37 Dark Souls II: The Effect of Skill on Balance
19:36 Pokemon: Pacing balance in PvP and PvE
21:44 Pokemon: The move called Stealth Rocks
25:18 Healing in RPGs
29:24 Tool Chest and Tool Belt: Balance of Provided Options
30:58 Developer Intention
31:19 Guild Wars: Tool Slot Competition
35:24 Release Valves
39:58 Card Games and Release Valves
44:19 Fighting Games and Static Balance
47:55 Soul Calibur 2: Character Balance and Identity
50:53 Smash 4: Average Character
52:11 Street Fighter x Tekken: Variable Balance in Fighting Games
55:16 Arcana Hearts: Variable Balance Methods in Fighting Games
57:25 Counterpicks in Fighting Games
59:21 Fighting Games: The Grappler Archetype
1:03:30 Lichdom: Balance of Environment
1:09:04 Fighting Games and Super Move Balance
1:20:30 Impossible Balance: Resurrection
1:30:17 Useless Effects
1:36:40 Recap
1:38:58 Balance Thesis Wrap-up
1:41:43 Closing Statements
1:42:23 Advice for Aspiring Designers