gd - 5th - the theory of fun in game design full resolution

The Theory of Fun

[ 1 ][ Hadziq Fabroyir . Department of Informatics ]

[ Hadziq Fabroyir . Department of Informatics ]

[ 2 ]

Raph Koster


Demographics – Who?

What age is the average gamer?

[ 3 ]

The average age of a British gamer is 31



% of each age group in UK playing games, 2005

[ 4 ]

6 to 10 11 to 15 16 to 24 25 to 35 36 to 50 51 to 650

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

10097

8265

51

18



% of each age group in UK playing games, 2005

[ 5 ]

6 to 10 11 to 15 16 to 24 25 to 35 36 to 50 51 to 650

102030405060708090

100

grew up without video games

grew up with ‘niche’ games

Grew up with video games everywhere

Every year the distribution shifts up the age brackets


What about the girls ?

[ 6 ]

52 53 56 56 55 5248 47 44 44 45 48

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

6 to 10 11 to 15 16 to 24 25 to 35 36 to 50 51 to 65


Sum Up - Gaming Demographics

[ 7 ]

The gender split is pretty evenMost people take games seriously

The average game buyer is 38

We are in the middle of a demographic shift from a society of non-gamers to a society of gamers.

Gaming isn’t just for kidsGaming isn’t just for boysThe average game player is 31


[ 8 ]

Why does this

game suck?


Games are puzzles

Games are about pattern recognition

Once you’ve got the pattern, the game is boring

In tic-tac-toe, there are only 26,830 possible games

(Chess = 1050 possible games)

. . . so it gets boring pretty fast.

Why are games fun (or boring) ?

[ 9 ]


TetrisThis game is about the geometry of tetrads

Once you can rotate tetrads in your sleep, the game becomes boring

[ 10 ]


1st Person ShooterThis game is about precise aim and timing

Once you can shoot so straight you’re invincible, the game becomes boring

[ 11 ]


This game is about thorough exploration

Once you’ve explored everywhere, the game becomes boring

[ 12 ]


Put it into social gaming

[ 13 ]

☻☻☻☻☻☻


simple rule but s☻cial

[ 14 ]


Fun is Learning

[ 15 ]

Games are challenges

That’s why key moments in gameplay are achievements: “I got it! I beat level 10!”

The process of gaining skills is what makes games fun.

To overcome the challenges, you must develop skillsGameplay is the process of practising and applying these skills


Matrix

[ 16 ]


[ 17 ]


[ 18 ]

This feeling is your brain’s reward for success.


3 Learning Mode

[ 19 ]

Storytelling

☻Playing ☻Lecturing


Games are the most advanced form of

investigation.

-Albert Einstein

[ 20 ]


But can a game really deliver journalism?

. . . or any serious message, for that matter?

[ 21 ]

[ 22 ][ Hadziq Fabroyir . Department of Informatics ]

Games are stupid, right?


Not all of them

[ 23 ]


[ 24 ]

In some games you have to perform subtle, complex

tasks.


SIM CITY is about

Tax policy

Infrastructure networks

Zoning laws

And it sold 18 million copies

[ 25 ]


Game challenges can be very sophisticated.

To complete them successfully, you have to learn.

You can learn about all sorts of things.

Games are Teachers

[ 26 ]


[ 27 ]


☺~ See You Later ~☺

Next episode: Game Graphical Design Concept

[ 28 ]

gd - 5th - the theory of fun in game design full resolution

Education

hadziq fabroyir

games fun

game challenges

tetristhis game

game suck

games seriouslywe

average game buyer

video games everywheregrew