---
key: lens/schell-067-5
type: lens
id: schell-067-5
lang: en
title: Metaphor
summary: Check whether a familiar comparison makes an interface understandable.
updatedAt: '2026-10-10'
status: active
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/lens/schell-067-5/'
jsonUrl: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/lens/schell-067-5.json'
markdownUrl: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/lens/schell-067-5.md'
aliases:
  - Metaphor
  - 67½
tags:
  - Puzzles and interfaces
sourceIds:
  - source-c20564a685906e21
  - source-f546a7168effffbb
sources:
  - id: source-c20564a685906e21
    title: 'Schell: third-edition additions'
    url: >-
      https://api.pageplace.de/preview/DT0400.9781351803649_A38251642/preview-9781351803649_A38251642.pdf
    verifiedAt: null
  - id: source-f546a7168effffbb
    title: Metaphor
    url: 'https://deck.artofgamedesign.com/#/menu/67_5/?lang=en'
    verifiedAt: null
relations: []
placements:
  - title: In the original collection
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/lenses/#schell-067-5'
supersededBy: []
attributes:
  number: 67½
  theme: interface
  author: Jesse Schell
  originalTitle: Metaphor
  referenceUrl: 'https://deck.artofgamedesign.com/#/menu/67_5/?lang=en'
endsAt: null
provenance: >-
  Original editorial explanations and review questions based on the
  user-selected Schell notes and attributed primary references. External
  concepts and source material retain their rights.
license: CC-BY-4.0
codeLicense: MIT
attribution: gamemechanics.pro contributors
---
# Metaphor

id: schell-067-5
type: lens
key: lens/schell-067-5
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/lens/schell-067-5/

Check whether a familiar comparison makes an interface understandable.

## Principle

Check whether a familiar comparison makes an interface understandable.

## Review questions

- What expectations does the metaphor create, and does the game satisfy them?
- Where would abandoning the metaphor make interaction clearer?

## Attribution and limits

Jesse Schell · Schell: third-edition additions

The concise explanations and review questions are original gamemechanics.pro wording. This is an independent reference, not a translation of the cards or a substitute for the book. Names, concepts and external material remain their authors’ work.

## Connected materials


## Sources and provenance

Original editorial explanations and review questions based on the user-selected Schell notes and attributed primary references. External concepts and source material retain their rights.

- [Schell: third-edition additions](https://api.pageplace.de/preview/DT0400.9781351803649_A38251642/preview-9781351803649_A38251642.pdf) (id: source-c20564a685906e21)
- [Metaphor](https://deck.artofgamedesign.com/#/menu/67_5/?lang=en) (id: source-f546a7168effffbb)

CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors