Intrinsic Motivation

About this model

This Machinations diagram represents a simplified abstraction of the core gameplay loops and reward mechanisms found in a role-playing game (RPG) environment, such as World of Warcraft. It outlines the different activities players can engage in, such as running dungeons, grinding NPCs (non-playable characters), joining arenas, roleplaying, and the rewards each activity yields: experience, gear score increases, and gold. These gameplay loops are designed to supply continuous feedback in the form of resources (experience, gear score, and gold) to the player through different pathways, driven by initiating an action labeled as "Play."

The diagram breaks down the flow of resources from activities to rewards using sources and pools to simulate the accumulation of resources, and gates, to control the distribution based on the actions players take. It showcases how engaging in specific activities like dungeons, arenas, or grinding NPCs not only progresses the player's character through gaining experience and gold but also articulates the underlying mechanics that reward players with tangible in-game progress for their efforts. Moreover, certain connections using state modifiers signify the potential for activities to trigger additional rewards or outcomes, embedding a layer of complexity in how player actions translate to character growth and resource acquisition within the game’s virtual economy.

“Intrinsic Motivation” is a public Machinations diagram by Anıl Akhan, shared in the Machinations Community.

You can open the original diagram in the Machinations app, press Play to watch how resources move through it, and change its values to see how the system responds. Machinations is a visual tool for designing, simulating and balancing game economies and other systems, where resources flow through sources, pools, drains, converters and gates.