Comments on: How to make games fun? http://mentalfish.com/2009/03/how-to-make-games-fun/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-make-games-fun +mind +matter Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:58:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Petter Sundnes http://mentalfish.com/2009/03/how-to-make-games-fun/#comment-3 Petter Sundnes Thu, 02 Apr 2009 21:46:56 +0000 http://blog.mentalfish.com/?p=50#comment-3 Thanks for the comment H, and congrats on being the first comment :) One question: - Do you categorize Tetris and Reversi (aka Othello) as games with a story? I do agree that Tetris and Reversi can trigger the imagination of the players so they make their own story as they play, but the games themselves are game mechanics without a story. In my opinion, challenge mainly comes from the game's mechanics, not its story. One of the most fun games on PS3 for both me and my wife is the multi directional shooter Super Stardust HD, where there is little to no story at all ("go shoot the baddies"), but the technical challenge and promise of a higher score make us return to the game regularly to out do ourselves (and others). Update: Not sure if I understand your pointer to Second Life, do you use that as an example of a good or a bad game (if it even is a game that is), and if so why? Thanks for the comment H, and congrats on being the first comment :)

One question:

- Do you categorize Tetris and Reversi (aka Othello) as games with a story?

I do agree that Tetris and Reversi can trigger the imagination of the players so they make their own story as they play, but the games themselves are game mechanics without a story. In my opinion, challenge mainly comes from the game’s mechanics, not its story.

One of the most fun games on PS3 for both me and my wife is the multi directional shooter Super Stardust HD, where there is little to no story at all (“go shoot the baddies”), but the technical challenge and promise of a higher score make us return to the game regularly to out do ourselves (and others).

Update: Not sure if I understand your pointer to Second Life, do you use that as an example of a good or a bad game (if it even is a game that is), and if so why?

]]> By: lenZflare http://mentalfish.com/2009/03/how-to-make-games-fun/#comment-2 lenZflare Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:14:19 +0000 http://blog.mentalfish.com/?p=50#comment-2 Nice videos.. I have to agree on your point that games cannot be saved by a good story (or pretty graphics) - but I don't agree that games can exist without a story. If there is no story, there is no goal - no challenge - and hence you soon get bored. Second Life is a premium example of such! Nice videos.. I have to agree on your point that games cannot be saved by a good story (or pretty graphics) – but I don’t agree that games can exist without a story. If there is no story, there is no goal – no challenge – and hence you soon get bored. Second Life is a premium example of such!

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