Fighting Edge

David Perry on Game Design: A Brainstorming Toolbox
David Perry, 2009

Fighting games have been around for decades. They came into prominence with the Street Fighter II series and with Mortal Kombat, but they have evolved considerably since then. Still, some of the early games already contained elements that would be destined for clichedom. Let’s look at a few, and feel free to add your own observations.

• Fighters wield all sorts of magic.
• There are very similar controls across games.
• Button mashing is a valid strategy.
• Fast and weak versus slow and strong.
• Jumping very high.
• There is a life bar.
• Players fight at the same capacity until they are actually defeated. They do not weaken in ability, despite being bashed repeatedly by the opponent’s attacks.
• There is a special ability bar.
• Corner bashing.
• Jumping off invisible walls.
• Fighters take a lot of damage.
• Falling off the arena.
• Fighters only know one style of fighting.
• Formulaic fighter types.
• Small fighters are weak and fast, especially females.
• Larger characters are generally slower and stronger.

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