skill ceiling

Definitions

The amount of skill required to master some activity (especially a game or character); the maximum possible skill.

Examples

“Coordinate term: skill floor”

“Chess has an extremely high skill ceiling⁠. Even the best chess-playing programs are constantly being improved.”

“A fighting game with a low skill ceiling will quickly get⟳ boring after one masters its mechanics.”

“Among 10 and 11-year-old children, boys' games have⟳ a higher 'skill ceiling', and are more competitive and longer-lasting than those of girls.”

“There's an old game design⟳ maxim: good games take⟳ minutes to learn⟳ but a lifetime to master. Another way to say⟳ this is "low skill floor, high skill ceiling."”

“The really fantastic thing about this "visible suits" idea is that it would have⟳ a negligible effect upon the skill floor – the additional information would not have⟳ to be used, whereas its effect on the skill ceiling would be considerable.”

“I think⟳ the appeal is the high skill ceiling mixed with ample opportunities for fun lucky shots.”

“However, the beauty of Rocket League as a competitive game and esport is that the skill ceiling is limitless. Take⟳ a look⟳ at the best goals from last⟳ season's World Championship and you'll see⟳ what I mean⟳.”

“Designing a game with a high skill ceiling (where players must invest⟳ significant time and effort to achieve⟳ maximum skill) often results in a game with a relatively high skill floor as well.”

“NRG Apex Legends pro player Brandon 'Ace' Winn explained the inherent pitfalls that come⟳ with using a keyboard and mouse as well as a controller, comparing the skill ceilings and floors that the peripherals provide⟳ for players.”

“I'm a huge fan of movement glitches (strafe-jumping and ramp-jumping made Quake 2 for me) so I hope⟳ CDPR don't patch this out, especially as it's a singleplayer game. It raises the skill ceiling without causing harm⟳, other than perhaps to immersion - but that's already shattered by bugs like⟳ pedestrians disappearing when you turn⟳ around or, as seen in this video, cars which appear⟳ on the horizon then vanish as you draw⟳ near.”

“This is another heavy hitter from Nintendo with a sound⟳ gameplay loop and a decent skill ceiling.”

“[…] SSX Tricky is the kind of game that makes you feel⟳ cool in a number⟳ of ways which are all equally important. There's the low skill ceiling - you get⟳ to feel⟳ cool with very little, and you can invest⟳ in your skill and become⟳ really good at the game, a feeling I didn't really get⟳ to experience⟳ in other sports games until then.”

CEFR level