What is a Tutorial?

Tutorial in game design is first contact. It’s the moment when the player learns: “What am I doing here? How do I do it? And why should I care?”

A tutorial isn’t a lesson. It’s an invitation.

1️⃣ Definition

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

A good tutorial teaches by doing, not by telling.

📍If the player forgets they were “in a tutorial” — you did it right.

2️⃣ Why Tutorials Matter

Purpose	What It Enables	Example
Onboarding	Smooth entry for new players	Portal’s puzzle scaffolding
Retention	Prevents early frustration and churn	Celeste teaches through tight iteration
Tone setting	First impression = expectations	Metal Gear Solid V’s high-stakes escape
Confidence	Player feels safe to explore and fail	Super Mario Bros. 1-1 level teaches without words
Discovery	Learning becomes part of play	Breath of the Wild’s Great Plateau as tutorial hub

📍The tutorial isn’t just about teaching mechanics — it’s about teaching trust.

3️⃣ Principles of Good Tutorials

Principle	Description	Game Example
Contextual learning	Mechanics taught through real play	Half-Life 2 uses in-world NPCs and objects
Gradual complexity	One mechanic at a time (scaffolding)	Portal’s pacing of new ideas
Immediate feedback	Cause → effect → understanding	Celeste’s ultra-responsive jumps
Skippable or optional	Respects returning players	BOTW’s tutorial zone can be rushed
Minimal friction	No walls of text or forced pauses	DOOM teaches through dying, not explaining
Tone alignment	Matches genre, pace, and emotion	Dark Souls tutorial = isolation, risk, quiet mastery

📍Don’t lecture. Let the level do the talking.

4️⃣ Tutorial Formats

Format	Description	Strength
Integrated	Mechanics embedded into story/world	Immersive, elegant (Half-Life)
Separate Mode	Optional training area	Safe, but disconnected (Fighting games)
Text-based hints	On-screen prompts	Fast, but easily ignored
Scripted sequences	Short, controlled moments	Clear, but can feel forced
Environmental tutorial	Using level structure to teach	Subtle, powerful (Mario 1-1)

📍Use multiple formats together — but weight them toward playable teaching, not passive instruction.

✅ Tutorial Design Checklist

Does the player learn by playing, not just reading?

Is each new concept introduced in isolation before being combined?

Are input, timing, and pacing aligned with skill ramp?

Can experienced players skip or fast-track?

Does the tutorial reflect the game’s tone — not just its systems?

📍You don’t need to explain everything. You need to explain just enough — right before it matters.

Summary

Term	Tutorial
What it is	The introductory structure that teaches players how to play
Why it matters	Enables onboarding, retention, confidence, and tone-setting
How it’s built	Through contextual teaching, feedback loops, pacing, and player control
Design goal	Teach players through experience — not around it

📍A good tutorial fades into the background. A great one becomes part of the game’s memory itself.