Why you NEED to understand Feedback Loops
There are only a few concepts in life that once you understand them, they change how you view the world – and the idea of feedback loops is one of them. They are in-fact so prevalent that you will see them everywhere you look – in video games, in society and even in yourself – that’s because they are that universal.
Harnessing their power gives you the ability to identify and solve all sorts of problems, especially in game development. What does the Blue Shell of Mario Kart and your body temperature have in common with feedback loops? Let’s find out!
Did you know you are actually a feedback loop yourself? Our bodies internally regulate our health – if you go outside when it’s cold, your internal body temperature drops and you will begin to shiver – a similar effect occurs if you go out on a hot day and start to sweat. Your body is trying to keep you at the optimal operating temperature at all times. This process of thermoregulation is a feedback loop that’s built right into you!
There’s tons of other examples of feedback loops. For example, draw a scribble of a cat. Now, draw another cat. You will have learned something about how to draw a cat in the process. The next time you will be ever-so-slightly better at drawing a cat. Keep on doing it, and you will get better in the process. That’s a feedback loop.
