What is a Tutorial?

A tutorial in game design is first contact with something. It is the moment when the player learns:

What am I doing here? How do I do it? And why should I care?

A tutorial is not a lecture. It is an invitation into play.

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Game Map Linkage

Tutorial is part of the Readability & Clarity framework:

Readability & Clarity determines and affects:

→→ Cognitive Load: How much the player is loaded with information.

→ Intention: How the user plans actions based on an understanding of the game system.

→ Aestetics: How do design choices for clarity and information hierarchy guide what elements are emphasized, simplified, or styled in the presentation layer.

Tutorials are determined by UX:

UX →→ Tutorial: A tutorial is not just a set of instructions — it is an extension of UX. How clear the interface is, how information is layered, and how affordances are surfaced will dictate what kind of tutorial is needed and how it should be delivered.

📍Tutorials are part of the readability framework. They reduce cognitive load, support flow, and teach loops by allowing players to build intention through interaction.

1️⃣ Definition

A tutorial is a structured introduction to core gameplay — a sequence, system, or space designed to teach players the rules, controls, and goals of the game without pulling them out of the experience.

📍If players forget they were “in a tutorial,” you’ve done it right.

2️⃣ Why Tutorials Matter

Purpose	What It Enables	Example
Onboarding	Smooth entry for new players	Portal’s puzzle scaffolding
Retention	Prevents early churn and confusion	Celeste’s iterative teaching
Tone Setting	Establishes expectations	Metal Gear Solid V’s opening escape
Confidence	Players feel safe to explore and fail	Super Mario Bros. 1‑1’s silent teaching
Discovery	Learning becomes play	Breath of the Wild’s Great Plateau hub

📍A tutorial is not just about mechanics — it’s about building trust and curiosity.

3️⃣ Principles of Good Tutorials

Principle	Description	Example
Contextual Learning	Teach through play, not menus	Half‑Life 2’s in‑world prompts
Gradual Complexity	Introduce one concept at a time	Portal’s puzzle cadence
Immediate Feedback	Clear cause → effect → learning	Celeste’s responsive controls
Skippable or Optional	Respect experienced players	BOTW allows early exit from tutorial zone
Minimal Friction	No info dumps or forced pauses	DOOM teaches by letting you act
Tone Alignment	Matches genre and emotion	Dark Souls tutorial = risk, mastery, solitude

4️⃣ Tutorial Formats

Format	Description	Strength
Integrated	Embedded into world or story	Immersive (Half‑Life)
Separate Mode	Standalone training area	Safe, clear (fighting games)
Text Prompts	Quick on‑screen hints	Fast but forgettable
Scripted Sequences	Controlled interactive scenes	Precise but can feel forced
Environmental	Level design teaches affordances	Elegant (Super Mario Bros. 1‑1)

📍Combine formats, but favor playable teaching over passive instruction.

4️⃣ Good Tutorials vs Bad Tutorials

Aspect	Good Tutorial (Examples)	Bad Tutorial (Examples)
Integration into Gameplay	Half‑Life 2: teaches mechanics through in‑world events without breaking immersion	Final Fantasy XIII: long text pop‑ups interrupt play and overload with information
Pacing & Complexity	Portal: introduces one mechanic per puzzle, layering complexity step by step	Assassin’s Creed Revelations: rapid introduction of multiple systems, hard to retain
Player Agency	Super Mario Bros. 1‑1: no text, players learn by experimenting and failing safely	The Order: 1886: overly scripted tutorial, no freedom to try mechanics differently
Feedback & Clarity	Celeste: instant respawn and clear cause/effect help players iterate and learn	Arcania: Gothic 4: vague prompts, unclear consequences, leads to repeated mistakes
Skippability	Breath of the Wild: Great Plateau teaches systems but allows early exit for skilled players	Okami (original release): long unskippable cutscenes (e.g., ~18‑minute intro), breaking pacing and frustrating replays
Tone & Immersion	Dark Souls: cryptic but consistent tutorial messages that match world tone	Mass Effect: Andromeda: tone-breaking pop‑ups that feel disconnected from narrative
Adaptation to Player Skill	Overcooked!: simple tasks build up naturally to chaos, scaling with players’ skill	The Bureau: XCOM Declassified: static tutorials that ignore player progression or expertise

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Key takeaway

A great tutorial feels like part of the adventure, not a separate lesson.

A poor tutorial feels like homework before you get to play.

✅ Designer’s Checklist

Does the player learn by doing, not reading?

Are new concepts introduced in isolation before mixing?

Are pacing and inputs aligned with cognitive load?

Can experienced players skip or accelerate?

Does the tutorial reflect the tone and fantasy of the game?

Summary

Concept	Role
Tutorial	The onboarding structure that teaches through play

A tutorial:

Reduces cognitive load
Builds confidence and intention
Shapes first impressions and emotional tone
Links UX, UI, and readability into a seamless learning moment

A good tutorial disappears. A great one becomes part of the story players tell about your game.

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Mini-Challenge

Silent Tutorial Exercise

Take a core mechanic (jumping, dodging, crafting).
Design a short level that teaches it without text:

Use enemy placement, geometry, or triggers.

Playtest:

Did players learn naturally?
Where did they hesitate?

💡 Bonus constraint: Add an optional layer that teaches an advanced version of the same mechanic without interrupting flow.