To resolve design disputes, keep your team focused on the core goals of the feature you are developing and the design pillars for your product. When everyone clearly understands the product vision, it’s much easier to drop egos and make decisions that align with what’s best for the player experience. Design discussions should be respectful and foster collaboration, not competition, ensuring every voice is heard and ideas are evaluated on merit. If debates stall, playtest data and rapid prototyping can help provide clarity on a path forward. Your goal should be to move the project forward in a way that your team, your players, and you can all feel proud of.

To mediate game design disputes in a live service game, imagine a scenario where the team is divided over the new battle pass rewards. One group wants to focus on exclusive cosmetics while another pushes for gameplay perks. As the lead you guide the discussion by reminding the team of the core vision: enhancing player engagement without disrupting balance. You encourage each side to explain their rationale, bring in player feedback data showing a preference for cosmetic rewards. To find common ground, you suggest a hybrid approach. Through open communication and A/B testing, the team agrees on a solution that aligns with player interests and the game’s goals. This collaborative, data-driven approach ensures alignment while preserving unity.