Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
Gameplay
Games provide
gameplay
, that is, challenges and actions that entertain. People
enjoy a challenge, as long as they have a reasonable expectation of being able to
accomplish it. People will also try a challenge that they have almost no expectation
of meeting if the risk is low and the reward is high. Challenge creates tension and
drama. At the simplest level, presenting players with a challenge amounts to asking
the question, “Can you do it?” They'll enjoy trying to prove that they can.
People also enjoy executing the actions that the game offers. It's fun to fly a plane,
shoot a rifle, design clothing, build a castle, or sing and dance. Video games let us
do many things that are impossible or too expensive to do in real life, which is an
important part of their appeal. The actions don't all have to be tied to a specific
challenge; some things are fun to do even if they don't affect the outcome of the
game. Many children's video games include toy-like elements to play with that
ring, light up, change color, and so on.
DESIGN RULE
Gameplay Comes First
Gameplay is the primary source of entertainment in all video games. When designing a
game, it is the
first
thing to consider.
Table 1.1
lists several types of challenges that video games offer, along with classic
examples from individual games or game series.
TABLE 1.1
Video Game Challenges
CHALLENGE TYPE
CLASSIC EXAMPLE
Physical Coordination Challenges
Speed and reaction time
Tetris
Accuracy or precision (steering, shooting)
Need for Speed
Timing and rhythm
Dance Dance Revolution
Learning combination moves
Street Fighter II
Formal Logic Challenges
Deduction and decoding
Minesweeper
Pattern Recognition Challenges
Static patterns
Brain Age
Patterns of movement and change
Sonic the Hedgehog
, behavior patterns
of enemies
