Gaming What makes good game design?

[ExtraWildGames]

Let's discuss what makes good game design in this thread.

We're not talking sensory or emotional feel elements, that is the icing on top of a well-designed game.

What do you think is good game design? What do the mechanics do that make a game compelling and or interesting to people here?

 

[BigOnYa]

Option to switch between 1st and 3rd person view. Surprising all new games don't allow it yet.

 

[ExtraWildGames]

Option to switch between 1st and 3rd person view. Surprising all new games don't allow it yet.

That is pretty challenging, considering both perspectives aren't really ever considered togther in most games all that much.

 

[radicalten]

Interesting thread! There are many approaches one can take to game design. Outside of video games, one may consider enduring games such as chess, card games, and sports for inspiration. Typically these games strike a balance between fairness, luck, and skill that many would consider aspects of good game design.

In terms of mechanics, think about how changing the size of a ball or net would affect the gameplay. A game of football played with a balloon might be fun to watch, but the lack of control for the player might be considered bad game design.

Interestingly, when we simulate games on the computer some of the most popular games subvert the expectations of mechanically good game design and are highly successful. For example, Human: Fall Flat has intentionally hard to control characters, but because there is an even playing field we can consider that good game design at the level of fairness.

 

[BigOnYa]

That is pretty challenging, considering both perspectives aren't really ever considered togther in most games all that much.

Yea obviously would only be in 3d games. There are many games that use either or, but there are only a few that let you select which view you prefer to use, example: Fallout 4, GTA 5. But yes as a game designer/ developer, it probably would be difficult to implement.
I've personally always wanted the first few Resident Evil games in a first person view, I think it'd be cool and more immersive.

 

[shadowflare7799]

Option to switch between 1st and 3rd person view. Surprising all new games don't allow it yet.

You hit the nail on the head my man. =) I think that this is a great idea considering some older games offered this in the past. I grew up with the commodore 64 computer and the NES. Nowadays most gamers just think that the best graphics is what makes the game and I call bullshit. Graphics don't make the gameplay proper game design does. Another thing is a good story which is great for immersion. I see quite a few games over the years (hey it happens) that turn out to be crappy because either the story was average or there was a lack of it. However, level designs, character designs, and fun gameplay need to be added I believe. However, the counter argument would be that there are alot of games out there that are rated highly amongst gamers while having an average story. I think what dev teams should do now is allow modding in their games like some companies did a long time ago.