gamemechanical
Gamemechanical is a term used in game studies and design discourse to describe the study and design of the mechanical aspects of play—the rules, systems, and mechanisms that generate gameplay. It covers both tangible components (gears, levers, tokens, physical interfaces) and abstract systems (turn order, resource flows, feedback loops, and procedural processes) that shape how players interact with a game.
The term is a neologism rather than a formal category, used to highlight the role of mechanics
Applications include balance and pacing, where designers adjust numbers and triggers to sustain challenge; prototyping of
Related concepts include game mechanics, game physics, and system design. Critics note that the label can be