If “controls” are a sufficient explanation, why do we need a new word (gamefeel) to do the same job? If it is more than the controls, then why not just use “gameplay”? I suppose I’m finding it difficult to understand how “gamefeel” represents a meaningful and useful difference from one or both of these terms.

So I think the distinction can be made that gamefeel is an element of gameplay that concerns specifically the feedback from executing common actions in a game, and how satisfying it feels and how precise your control over the game feels.

“Gameplay” involves the whole picture, including how the game progresses, the style and speed of play, the genre — which is usually defined by the category of gameplay — and is separate from the non-interactive parts of a game like the music, cutscenes, visual design, and so on.

All that said, and since the term is sort of new, it’s not the most commonly employed word and is still often referred to as “gameplay”. I just think this gets more specific.

I don’t know why we need another new word (and not a very good one at that) which seems to exist only replace a perfectly serviceable word!