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Simple game design

Tue, 12/17/2013 - 08:30 — jukeri

The simplest designs create the most elegant games. This, I guess, is what makes the mobile game industry tick like it does right now. Could simple mechanics be applied to "real" (as in, games with a big plot and lots of content and some bigger meaning and whatnot) games to make them successful?

-Dice Of Mana has been made. It is a gambling game where 2 opposing wizards try to summon the great Bull Beast by gathering up enough magic. However, too much mana at a time will cause a wiz to black out and lose all gathered magic.

Comments

Tue, 12/17/2013 - 10:12 — lilinx.com

Yes I agree. I actually

Yes I agree. I actually think elegance = simplicity.
But I make a big difference between simple and empty.

Unfortunately, I think the mobile game industry rather flourishes on the need people have to keep their mind blank. A lot of no-brainers games, played when commuting, offering pure escapist entertainment.

>Could simple mechanics be applied to "real" (as in, games with a big plot and lots of content and some bigger meaning and whatnot) games to make >them successful?

Well that depends on what you put behind the words "successful", but this definitely makes me think of Jack King-Spooner's games. They have big plots, content, awesome visuals and sounds, they have meaning, whatnot, and even more to offer, and are very engaging. Most of the time, gameplay consists in moving a sprite around with the arrow keys,

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