Comments on: Better Games Use Fewer Mechanics? http://news.filefront.com/better-games-use-fewer-mechanics/ News for Gamers Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:36:36 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Mylon http://news.filefront.com/better-games-use-fewer-mechanics/comment-page-1/#comment-125552 Mylon Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:36:50 +0000 http://news.filefront.com/better-games-use-fewer-mechanics/#comment-125552 I disagree. Mechanics need to be more organic and natural and, most of all, intuitive. Rather than follow some weird function where y = no point where gamers are left to figure out this mysterious zone between x and y where this action is profitable, if games didn't rely on such steep, leveled mechanics, it might be easier to jump in and play, as even if someone is doing it "wrong", according to the game developer, the player could still be doing it in a way they find fun. Games are about interesting choices. If the mechanics make one choice a no-duh option, then the choice, and thus, the interesting part, is gone. Though, there is something to be said for fewer unnecessary game mechanics. A prime example of unnecessary mechanics is Dark Cloud, where there exist buttons in a dungeon that forces the player to switch to a character just to progress in the dungeon. There is no challenge to be had of any sort, it's quite literally a hoop for the player to jump through like a trained dog. I disagree. Mechanics need to be more organic and natural and, most of all, intuitive. Rather than follow some weird function where y = no point where gamers are left to figure out this mysterious zone between x and y where this action is profitable, if games didn’t rely on such steep, leveled mechanics, it might be easier to jump in and play, as even if someone is doing it “wrong”, according to the game developer, the player could still be doing it in a way they find fun.

Games are about interesting choices. If the mechanics make one choice a no-duh option, then the choice, and thus, the interesting part, is gone.

Though, there is something to be said for fewer unnecessary game mechanics. A prime example of unnecessary mechanics is Dark Cloud, where there exist buttons in a dungeon that forces the player to switch to a character just to progress in the dungeon. There is no challenge to be had of any sort, it’s quite literally a hoop for the player to jump through like a trained dog.

]]> By: erathoniel http://news.filefront.com/better-games-use-fewer-mechanics/comment-page-1/#comment-125542 erathoniel Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:00:09 +0000 http://news.filefront.com/better-games-use-fewer-mechanics/#comment-125542 Actually, games with fewer necessary mechanics make better games. I want the ability to craft stuff, I just don't wanna have to. Actually, games with fewer necessary mechanics make better games. I want the ability to craft stuff, I just don’t wanna have to.

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