Game balance - Definition

In the ever-popular world of console, PC, and traditional games of all sorts, game balance is a very important factor. The term stems from the idea of a balance of power within the game world. Take a football game on the PC for example: if the AI controlling the opposing team allows that team's players to run faster than humanly possible, we would say the "game balance" is uneven. It is harder to enjoy an unbalanced game than a balanced one.

Balance in Role-Playing Games

In the case of role-playing games in which a game master (GM) creates the adventure, he or she must be ever-conscious of game balance. Creating monsters whose abilities are far beyond those of any player, for instance, is acceptable only if the players have a way to escape or some miraculous event transpires, resulting in the destruction of the monster. Players involved in an "unbalanced" game might utter the phrase, "That's not fair!" multiple times to the GM during the course of an adventure; most of the players might also end up dead before their time.

A truly skilled game master will create a balanced, immersive adventure which leaves the players fulfilled and satisfied at the end of every gaming session.