What is "Obstacle"?

In game design, an "obstacle" refers to a designed element within a game environment that hinders or challenges the player's progress. These barriers are strategically placed to impede the player's advancement, requiring strategic thinking, skillful navigation, or problem-solving. Obstacles contribute to the overall difficulty and engagement of a game, creating opportunities for skill development and enhancing the player's sense of accomplishment.

For example, in the classic platformer game "Super Mario Bros.," various obstacles impede Mario's journey through the Mushroom Kingdom. These obstacles include pits, enemies, and environmental hazards like spikes or moving platforms. Each obstacle demands a specific approach: jumping over enemies, timing movements to avoid hazards, or using power-ups strategically. The level design introduces a progression of obstacles, gradually increasing in complexity and difficulty as the player advances. Overcoming these challenges is integral to the player's success and progression within the game.

Obstacles can take diverse forms, such as puzzles, enemies, physical barriers, or timed challenges. In a puzzle-solving adventure game, an obstacle might be a complex lock that requires the player to decipher a code or find a hidden key. In a racing game, obstacles could be tight turns, obstacles on the track, or competitors vying for the same goal.