Patch Note Design

The craft of communicating game updates, balance changes, bug fixes, new content, in a way that builds player trust, manages expectation, and demonstrates that feedback was heard.

In games, this means

Patch notes written in internal jargon ('adjusted hitbox parameters on attack 4b') communicate nothing to most players. Notes written in player language ('nerfed Pyro's flamethrower range, she was too dominant at close range in ranked') communicate intent and respect. The worst patch notes: undocumented changes, changes that contradict the notes, and silence on issues the community is loudly reporting.