Using "The Elevator Problem" to Fix Your Game's Perceived Slowness

Perhaps some of you have already heard about the Elevator Problem, as well as its solution. In case you haven't, here's a gist of it: "A building is receiving complaints that the elevator wait times are too long. They consult a variety of experts who recommend all sorts of expensive and invasive solutions. One suggests installing mirrors next to the elevator doors so people can use the time to check their appearance or do some surreptitious people watching. The suggestion is adopted, at a lower cost, and the complaints stop."

In this story the problem solving is as follows:

"Wait times are too long → Why is that a problem? → I don’t like to wait → Why not? → Because it’s boring. Solution: Remove the boredom."

Doug Stewart from Kongregate Developers has compiled a list of solutions similar to the one from the Elevator Problem that can help you to make your game feel faster. Doug understood that the slowness problem can stop being a problem in its entirety if developers remove the boredom element from it. Using loading screens from Dishonored and Assassin's Creed as examples, Doug thoroughly explained how to make the waiting time more enjoyable, as well as explained the appropriate lengths of animations, so that those don't slow your game's pace.

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