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"What makes games great?"

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Sun 16/09/01 at 18:15
Regular
Posts: 787
We all probably have our own views on what makes games really great. Everyone is different and has different tastes so we all don't like the same type of games as others. So what is it that makes most games great.

As humans we like stimulation, the fast moving colours and sounds that are created in games stimulate the mind. But that isn't why they are good. Television does the same, games are interactive and allow you to feel like you are in control of what is happening.

But I'm not trying to focus on why we play them. This is my opinion on what developers include to make games great.

Firstly the idea behind the game, the story has to be a good idea and flexible enough to be able to make a game out of it that can be enjoyable. It has to be well though out and planned. A lot of the time ideas that are used have been similarly used in the past, that's why a lot of the original games at the moment seem to be quite popular as they offer a new experience.

Game-play, to most is the most important feature of any game. If the game-play Is good then the chances of the game being good and popular are quite high. It's hard to define exactly what game-play is, I would describe it as being how much control you have and how well the options you have are created. Ie How large the environment you can explore and what can your character/vehicle do in this environment. Usually the more the better.


The graphics are also hugely important. With today's standards of technology the graphics that can be created are at a very high standard and in some cases very realistic. To make a great game it has to look great. A lot of the top selling games have wonderful graphics which make playing them an unbelievable experience.
The problem is the balance between game-play and graphics, only a small percentage of games get this right, these are usually very good games. The problem is if you go with really good graphics usually the game-play suffers and vice-versa.

Music is also an important feature of most games, for atmospheric games like Resident Evil and Silent Hill the eerie music adds to the whole atmosphere and improves the game. For driving/Racing games most want a fast paced piece of music in the background. Picking music for a game is important and shouldn't be rushed.

Most of the games that are really worth buying and are popular get a lot of hype before they are released. In most cases they deserve most of the hype they get although some people expect the best and get a little disappointed when they play it. Hype surrounding games is good if they deserve it. There are a lot of games that don't deserve to be hyped up. For a game to be great it has to catch the eye of a lot of people and probably will receive a lot of hype.

Loading also these days is important. People are impatient and don't want to spend ages waiting for it to load. These should be kept to a minimum.
Extra modes and options are also useful. It all add to the lifespan of the game which is important. The longer you get to play it for and still enjoy it is good. You don't want to spend all that money for something that doesn't last too long. That's why some games that differ a little each time you play them are popular.

I like games to have a sense of realism in them, its not an important for all games but if developers make a certain type of game then they have to get it to suit what the gamers want. I think that if developers got involved more with the people who buy the games to find out what most would like to see then maybe we could see more high quality games. Also a lot of poor games seem to get released, developers should realise that people want high quality and try and improve it before releasing it.

There are alot more things that can make great games. Also feel free to add anything else you think helps make them better than average games.
Mon 17/09/01 at 08:52
Regular
Posts: 3,182
If I like where the game is set, then I generally like the game. The game-world has to be a cool place to go. Obviously the graphics, gameplay and storyline are caught up in this, but what gets me interested in a game is the environment in which the game takes place.
Music should also not be underestimated: great music can ruin a good game or make a mediocre game playable.
Sun 16/09/01 at 22:31
Regular
"Back For Good"
Posts: 3,673
frustration is a stupid thing to put into a game, who in their right mind would want to PAY to get worked up, Trust me there's plently of ways to do that free of charge.

A game should offer you something you like and will enjoy, I'm not saying make games easier to avoid stressful situations but some games are far too Ambitious on the players performance and change a challenge into something stupidly difficult that you will BEG to end.

aaaaarrrrrggggghhhhhh
Anything without this is a start to make a great game.
Sun 16/09/01 at 21:46
Regular
"Fishing For Reddies"
Posts: 4,986
Personally I think humour plays quite a big part in games. I love laughing... there is something about haveing a consistant smile on your face that makes you laugh even more... You even laugh when you see other people laughing.

I recently downloaded a PIKMIN video when the demonstrator's PIKMIN are eaten by the Rainbow Bug, it was quite sad, but everyone in the audience laughed and even more so when the little white 'soul' representatives appreared at began to 'float to the heavens'.

I like mild humor... not mildly funny things, but humour that isn't rude or abusive to a unnecessary degree. Nintendo games tend to provide me with the cartoony humor games that I have been bread on and learnt to love.

In all seriousness I believe the PS2 will one day be a very viable console for the causal gamer, but on the light-hearted humor side of thigs, the Playstation series has had little to offer.

Even Mario, with his faint quips and comedy actions makes me smile. I prefer 'nice' surroundings as oppose to cool ones. Sunshine, flowers, animals and water are just some of the components I like to see in games. Which may be one of the reasons I chose the Nintendo route at the N64/PSx fork.

Games, to me, have to make you laugh... what you choose to laugh at is up to you, but if you let your imagination run wild and let the storyline of a game captivate your heart, you can experience a game 3 times better then the 'normal' gamers.

So, I like to laugh...

Game
Sun 16/09/01 at 18:15
Regular
"Picking a winner!"
Posts: 8,502
We all probably have our own views on what makes games really great. Everyone is different and has different tastes so we all don't like the same type of games as others. So what is it that makes most games great.

As humans we like stimulation, the fast moving colours and sounds that are created in games stimulate the mind. But that isn't why they are good. Television does the same, games are interactive and allow you to feel like you are in control of what is happening.

But I'm not trying to focus on why we play them. This is my opinion on what developers include to make games great.

Firstly the idea behind the game, the story has to be a good idea and flexible enough to be able to make a game out of it that can be enjoyable. It has to be well though out and planned. A lot of the time ideas that are used have been similarly used in the past, that's why a lot of the original games at the moment seem to be quite popular as they offer a new experience.

Game-play, to most is the most important feature of any game. If the game-play Is good then the chances of the game being good and popular are quite high. It's hard to define exactly what game-play is, I would describe it as being how much control you have and how well the options you have are created. Ie How large the environment you can explore and what can your character/vehicle do in this environment. Usually the more the better.


The graphics are also hugely important. With today's standards of technology the graphics that can be created are at a very high standard and in some cases very realistic. To make a great game it has to look great. A lot of the top selling games have wonderful graphics which make playing them an unbelievable experience.
The problem is the balance between game-play and graphics, only a small percentage of games get this right, these are usually very good games. The problem is if you go with really good graphics usually the game-play suffers and vice-versa.

Music is also an important feature of most games, for atmospheric games like Resident Evil and Silent Hill the eerie music adds to the whole atmosphere and improves the game. For driving/Racing games most want a fast paced piece of music in the background. Picking music for a game is important and shouldn't be rushed.

Most of the games that are really worth buying and are popular get a lot of hype before they are released. In most cases they deserve most of the hype they get although some people expect the best and get a little disappointed when they play it. Hype surrounding games is good if they deserve it. There are a lot of games that don't deserve to be hyped up. For a game to be great it has to catch the eye of a lot of people and probably will receive a lot of hype.

Loading also these days is important. People are impatient and don't want to spend ages waiting for it to load. These should be kept to a minimum.
Extra modes and options are also useful. It all add to the lifespan of the game which is important. The longer you get to play it for and still enjoy it is good. You don't want to spend all that money for something that doesn't last too long. That's why some games that differ a little each time you play them are popular.

I like games to have a sense of realism in them, its not an important for all games but if developers make a certain type of game then they have to get it to suit what the gamers want. I think that if developers got involved more with the people who buy the games to find out what most would like to see then maybe we could see more high quality games. Also a lot of poor games seem to get released, developers should realise that people want high quality and try and improve it before releasing it.

There are alot more things that can make great games. Also feel free to add anything else you think helps make them better than average games.

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