Softlock
What is a softlock? When a game keeps running but you can no longer win or progress, how it differs from a hardlock, and examples.
A softlock is a state where progress has become impossible even though the game still runs and responds. Nothing has crashed, which would be a hardlock, but no action can reach the goal, so the only way out is to reload or restart.
Examples
Each game links to the source that describes it using the mechanic.
Related terms: Sequence breaking, Save scumming, Procedural generation.
Sources
Checked .
- Glossary of video game terms — Wikipedia
- Softlock — GameDesign.gg