Learning through play.
WHAT THE PROBLEM WITH TUTORIALS IS
They interrupt, they are skipped, and they are forgotten.
WHAT WORKS BETTER
Levels designed so the mechanic must be used to proceed Safe spaces to experiment before consequences Introducing one thing at a time Repeating it before adding another
WHAT THE CLASSIC STRUCTURE IS
Present the mechanic in isolation Let the player use it safely Combine it with something known Test mastery
WHY THAT ORDER
Each step builds on confirmed understanding.
WHAT AFFORDANCES ARE
Visual cues suggesting what is possible.
WHY THEY MATTER
Players act on what looks interactive, so appearance must match function.
WHAT TO BE CONSISTENT ABOUT
What things look like, and what they do.
WHY
An inconsistency teaches the player not to trust their reading of the world.
WHAT TO AVOID
Text explaining what could be shown Requiring memorisation of controls before use Introducing several mechanics simultaneously
WHAT TO PROVIDE FOR REFERENCE
A control reference accessible at any time.
WHAT TO TEST
Whether a new player understands without being told.
WHAT TO DO IF THEY DO NOT
Change the design, not the tutorial.
