The Snack:[]
Collisions and physics in games can be very complicated, and it can be difficult to envision every possible interaction players will have with the environment. Despite this, it is important to thoroughly consider and test level designs to ensure that players will not end up trapped, with the only option being to restart from a certain save point (or even completely restart, depending on the game). By trapped I mean they physically are trapped in some way with no way of using any game mechanic or ability to free themselves. For instance, they might jump into a pit of some sort, only to discover there is no way out. While an occasional instance of getting stuck might be unforeseen and thus be forgiven, multiple occasions of getting trapped in a game can frustrate players to the point that they will no longer play the game.
Example 1:[]
In The Elder Scrolls: Online, there are ample opportunities to trap oneself while attempting to scale a cliff or explore a remote corner of a dungeon. Though it is more difficult to control in an open-world game like this, it's still something designers should be aware of and avoid as much as possible.
