Loops

Game loops are a way to conceptually think about the repeated actions a player takes when interacting with a game system. Dan Cook breaks the game loop into four distinct parts (Loops and Arcs):

1. The player has a mental model of the system in question
2. The player takes an action based on that mental model
3. The system gives feedback on the action taken
4. The player adjusts their mental model of the system based on the feedback received from the system

The player repeats this process over and over while participating with the system in an interactive manner. The loop can have fractal (permaculture shapes) loops within it.

For example, conversations (Chris Crawford conversation model), or playing system based games like chess.

This is a model of learning (Struggle in learning solidifies knowledge). Loops are how we learn the intricate subtleties of an interactive system.

Arcs

Arcs are a very similar concept with the same four steps, but rather than being repeated, the player exits the arc once their mental model has been updated.

An arc can be used to visualize the learning that occurs while participating with linear content (Nonlinear reading surfaces high-level patterns). Think movies, lectures, books, etc.

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