What is a Resource?

Resource in game design is anything the player can gain, manage, or spend to influence the game. It's the currency of decision-making, and the fuel behind nearly every gameplay loop.

When you control resources, you control pacing, pressure, and progression.

1️⃣ Definition

A resource is an in-game element that carries value and can be transferred, consumed, or stockpiled to affect the game’s systems — including player power, narrative direction, or strategic options.

📍A resource becomes meaningful only when it's limited, useful, and contested.

2️⃣ Why Resources Matter

Role	What It Enables	Example
Strategic depth	Forces planning and trade-offs	XCOM’s alloy and elerium split progression paths
Tension and urgency	Scarcity creates pressure	Resident Evil’s limited ammo shapes play style
Progression	Resources = growth, upgrades, unlocks	Stardew Valley’s farming economy
Player motivation	Collecting is inherently rewarding	Loot loops in Diablo or Destiny
Economy balancing	Supply vs demand defines difficulty	Factorio’s production chain challenges

📍Resources aren’t just systems — they’re emotional levers. Hoarding, losing, investing — all carry weight.

3️⃣ Types of Resources

Type	Description	Game Example
Consumable	Used once, then gone	Mana, bullets, food
Persistent	Retained over time	Gold, XP, crafting parts
Renewable	Regenerates on loop or condition	Mana regen, crop cycles
Non-renewable	Fixed quantity or rare	Legendary mats, limited uses
Strategic	Grants power/control of game systems	Territory, influence, fuel in Civilization
Abstract	Time, attention, cooldowns	Overwatch’s ability timing, Frostpunk’s Hope meter
Soft/Hard currency	F2P design separation	Clash of Clans gold vs gems

📍Time is a resource. So is player attention. Not all resources live in the inventory.

4️⃣ Resource Loops

Phase	Function
Collect	Gather input (loot, harvest, win fights)
Convert	Craft, refine, or assign
Invest	Upgrade tools, unlock nodes, build
Grow	Gain new capabilities or access
Repeat	Loop escalates or diversifies

📍If the loop feels flat, check the conversion and investment phases — they define long-term motivation.

✅ Resource Design Checklist

Are resources meaningful (limited, spendable, desirable)?

Do they feed into core progression or decision-making?

Is scarcity tuned to pacing and player skill?

Are resource types visually and systemically distinct?

Does the economy reward both short-term and long-term thinking?

📍Every resource should raise a question:"Spend now — or wait for something better?"

Summary

Term	Resource
What it is	Any system element that carries value and fuels player agency
Why it matters	Controls pacing, progression, tension, and long-term engagement
How it's used	Through collection, consumption, investment, and loops
Design goal	Create meaningful constraints that drive strategic and emotional play

📍Resources are not just items. They are what players chase, manage, risk — and remember.