======Balance challenge and available options======
This is a broad pattern that relates to the abilities of the specific player [[en:patterns:target_group|target group]]. It is more related to general game design considerations than a specific design pattern per se. {{tagpage>challenge|Challenge}} should best be balanced against the abilities of the players so that the game maintains the interest of the players. In single player games this is more pronounced than in multiplayer games. Challenge single player games is often determined by hiding information from the players (information that relates to how the system works). Hiding information can result in players having difficulty to understand what they have to do, or what the current state of the game is. In multiplayer games challenge is additionally based on the competition with the other players.


{{tag>general game design}}
Nevertheless, multiplayer games where players compete indirectly (for example by solving [[en:patterns:puzzle|puzzles]]), a balanced challenge remains of importance. Balance could be affected by mechanisms such as 
  * offering help (e.g. in exchange for [[en:patterns:score|points]] or a [[en:patterns:temporal_structure|temporal]] penalty)
  * the difficulty level of the available [[en:patterns:puzzle|puzzles]] (characteristics and number of the puzzles to solve).

----
=== Related patterns ===
[[en:patterns:target_group|target group]]

----
=== Related heuristics ===
[[en:heuristics:heuristics#2.1]]

[[en:heuristics:heuristics#2.6]]

{{tag>playability}}
{{tag>non-pattern}}
{{tag>game_general_design}}

----
=== Backlinks ===
{{backlinks>.}}