Optimal Game Design
What separates an enduring game from a weak game? Why do some games last for 1000s of years, while others end up in the bargain bin after one month?
| Necessary Elements |
Optimal Elements |
| Rules |
Easy to learn, a lifetime to master. |
| Interaction (participation) |
Players enter into the created world and forget about the real world. |
| Opposition |
Balanced. Skill, not luck, is required to win. |
| Decision Making (non-linear) |
Interesting decisions. All options have merit. |
| Goal |
The goal, and the players' relationship to it, is clear. Dramatic tension increases as the game reaches its conclusion. |
If an activity contains all the necessary elements listed above then it can be considered a game. But when you design a game don't aim for necessary. Instead, set your design goals higher and try to achieve optimal results.
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