As game developers continue to innovate and push boundaries in interactive entertainment, they are confronted with an unexpected challenge: creating functional and realistic doors. Over the past week, a number of developers from various teams have taken to social media to express their frustrations with this seemingly simple aspect of game design.
Stephan Hövelbrinks, the creator of the indie game *Death Trash*, highlighted that doors can present “all sorts of possible bugs.” The struggle is echoed by Kurt Margenau, co-game director of *The Last of Us Part II*, who noted that developing doors took longer than expected. He stated, “The best kind of door in a video game is the one no one remembers.” This sentiment was supported by Pete Galbraith from Owlchemy Labs, who emphasized that a door should seamlessly blend into its environment, making it a non-issue for players.
Understanding how doors function in gaming becomes particularly complicated during intense gameplay. Margenau elaborated on the nuances of door mechanics, stating that during combat, doors might close automatically, while remaining open during exploration. He pointed out the need for realistic interactions: “If a player is going to open a door, it can’t just magically fly open; the character has to reach for the doorknob and push it open.”
Creative challenges extend beyond doors. Developers often struggle with common objects like ropes and mirrors. After the release of *Half-Life: Alyx*, one developer shared insights into creating realistic bottle animations, while Liz England identified ladders and elevators as additional problematic elements. England stated, “I think doors themselves tend to get a much bigger reputation for being terrible because they are so much more common in the real world…so more people can use it as a touchstone for ‘unexpectedly difficult interactivity.’”
Despite their simplicity in concept, doors represent a significant design hurdle in video games. As Will Kerslake, game director at Crystal Dynamics, explained, “There are so many issues with doors.” He detailed the complexities of animation, noting that doors can open toward or away from the player, with handles on either side. Each interaction state, whether crouching or sprinting, adds another layer of animation requirements.
Moreover, developers face challenges when multiple players interact with a door simultaneously, leading to potential bugs. Kerslake noted, “If a door hits an NPC, does the door stop, or does the NPC move?”
For some developers, the effort required to create functional doors may outweigh the benefits. Kerslake mentioned that many games opt to avoid interactive doors altogether, with many featuring doorways that are either missing or permanently open. “The next step up in complexity is doors used only as progress gates—they open and then can’t be closed again,” he added.
The expectations players have regarding doors also complicate the design. Players instinctively understand how doors operate due to their real-world experiences. Galbraith explained, “Our ideas of how we interact with them are incredibly clear due to the cognitive reinforcement we have received from interacting with them so often.” If a door in a game closes too quickly or behaves unexpectedly, players will notice the inconsistency.
Interestingly, while most doors in real life open in one direction, game developers often design virtual doors to swing both ways. Galbraith noted that when virtual doors mimic the look, sound, and behavior of real doors, players are more likely to accept them without questioning their function.
In addition to serving as functional elements, doors play a critical role in level design. They can act as barriers, preventing players from progressing until certain tasks are completed, thereby enhancing gameplay experience. “Doors are just one of a variety of tools that a developer can use when designing levels,” Galbraith remarked. “Many games employ other methods alongside doors to avoid potential issues and even just to help vary the content.”
Ultimately, the effort to create realistic door mechanics in video games reflects the industry’s broader commitment to immersive and engaging player experiences. While doors may seem trivial, the complexities they introduce highlight the intricate nature of game design and the continuous pursuit of excellence in interactive storytelling.
