Video games have progressed massively since they first made their way into the public’s consciousness. For those who were lucky enough to get their hands on a gaming console in the 1980s, they were able to witness video games in their infancy. This was a time when video games were straightforward and lacked the type of narrative structure that is commonplace today. While many would point to complexity, at least outside of graphics, as the biggest achievement of modern video games, it is paradoxically the simplicity of video games that creates a sense of purpose.
As a player, you are presented with an objective, and despite how big or small it is, provided it is designed well, it creates engagement. Once this is achieved, it would be difficult to argue that a video game has not succeeded in its ultimate aim.
In honor of the role of simplicity in a video game’s success, we thought we would take a look at two of the main ways that you can go about achieving it. So, without further ado, let’s get started…
A Clear Objective
Regardless of how complex a game is overall, each and every action or phase should have a clear objective. If a game can instill a sense of accomplishment in a player, it is usually because they understand what they have to do in order to achieve their in-game goal.
This can be as straightforward as crossing the finish line first to win a race or defeating a boss in order to progress to the next level.
Or, take, for instance, you are playing an archer game, and within seconds of the game beginning, you understand that another character is attacking you, and you will have to kill him before he kills you. There is an instant understanding of why you need to hit him with your arrows, creating a sense of urgency and a clear objective. There is no time to consider why you are being attacked; you are simply in the moment as soon as you enter the game.
An Incremental Challenge
We have all played a video game that is just too easy for it to be engaging for any real length of time. The opposite of this is also true.
If you make a game too difficult to understand and/or make progress, you are likely to lose interest.
This is where the beauty of the incremental challenge comes into play. Simply put, our brains love a challenge. The beginning of a game should allow you to become accustomed to your new environment, the controls, and how you can interact with other characters. If a video game allows you to gradually improve while also continuously challenging you, you will always have a sense of purpose. This is why hybrid-casual games are often so successful.
The Bottom Line
Simplicity is key. Video games, at their core, should be engaging. If they achieve this, it means that an entire new world has been created for you to exist within and explore.
If you have a purpose in this brave new world, we can only tip our hats and say thank you to the game’s creators!
