G_G

Good Game

There has been many good games in the past, present, and hopefully more to come, but there comes the question, what makes a good game? Is it the bloodlust in the violent games? Or is it the strategy, the challenge of the mind? Or is it the competition between people and pride? These are points to keep in mind of what makes a good game. Many people have different opinion and different taste in games that is why it is difficult to say what makes a good game.

Many people believe that in the end it just comes down to the simple things. Such as "Presentation, Graphics, Sound,Gameplay, and Lasting Appeal". Others believe that they are just good because they are good. Saying things such as Gameplay is simply too vague to give a satisfying knowledge of what makes a good game. Its like okay what makes the gameplay good? Therefore we need to break it down to specifics.

Challenge is a factor of what makes a game interesting. Whether it is hand eye coordination or be it a brain teaser, or even a race against the clock. Although games that are nearly unbeatable may appeal to few, it probably does not appeal to majority. So there is the factor of pacing rewards, and making the rewards worthwhile. 

The Feel of the game is another factor. Being that if it doesn't really feel like you are shooting the gun. Or playing that type of character you want to be such as a sneaky thief. If you don't feel like you are interacting with the virtual world it makes it too fake and pointless. 

Freedom, being having the options to do various types of things. Such as customize your character to be completely unique and your own. Choosing to play casually or hardcore. Or even deciding to move away from a storyline to do your own thing. Freedom gives the player options to do what they want, more variety to explore the game and play it how they want to play it.

Place, exploration. Exploring areas is a great factor, although games like tetris does not have it doesn't mean it isn't a good game. Places and exploration is just a bonus having people appreciate the design of the game makes people play longer and admire the scenery.

Promise also the build up of a great end game. Having lots of things to do at the beggining and middle of the game is great. But having a fantastic endgame where there is many things to do and is enjoyable doing or even having things where players who have not completed keeps players going for the end game.

Fantasy, to act as your character. To feel like your character that you have created is a great way to hook players into the game. Having the fantasy become reality gets players really into it. Like if it feels like you are shooting a real bow or sneaking into a castle from a controller or even a mouse it means that the developers have done a pretty good job.

There are many factors to what makes a good game but these factors are the very basic of it. What is your opinion on what makes a good game?

http://www.pentadact.com/2011-05-27-what-makes-games-good/

Anthony Chen