This is probably my best game-design related writing so far, as the topic not only relates to a game project I’ve done in the past, but also just resonates very strongly with my personal approach to creativity in general. This is also the first topic I’m splitting into two posts, as they’re getting altogether too lengthy to keep in one post. This post covers

• the difference between making approachable games and games that give the user a specific “experience”
• the concept of having a “target vision” that makes creating such games easier
• and how targeting an indie market makes the difficulties of making/selling a visionary game disappear.

Art is defined by “the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, (…) producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power”. Painting, writing, music, plays, movies; nearly all art is created for the appreciation of the viewer, and in this way, games are no different. Where games stand out, however, is in the potential strength of user experience; this is due, in no small part, to several of the aforementioned creative mediums all naturally contributing to the sum total of a game. In games, everything that is presented to the player is ultimately a product of the player’s actions; this automatically makes any game resonate with the viewer more strongly than other mediums, as it is something they are actively driving (and experiencing). Due to this, games can become very engrossing; the possibility for the player to do vastly different things based on their approach to the game, in addition to the game’s rich universe, leads to the possibility of the player becoming immersed in the game itself. An interesting byproduct of this comes in the form of “watercooler stories”. Watercooler stories, in games, can be described as a moment where a player does a notably unique thing as a product of the wide range of possibilities inherent in the game, and has a story to share as the result of that. Read More…