You don’t have to look very far to find a new game. In an age when game development is more accessible than ever before, there are thousands of new titles released each year.
Of course, the majority of those new games fail to make any sort of meaningful impact. Just as with everything else, some games just don’t reach the standards that modern gamers expect.
And that’s usually because they’re missing one or more of the key components that all great games possess. Take a closer look at games that do find popularity, and you’ll find that they all share the same qualities. While the small details of the game can vary significantly, there’s a set list of characteristics that popular games have. Let’s take a look at what those components are.
Compelling Storyline
Gamers need a narrative to hold onto if they’re going to see a game through to its conclusion. These storylines don’t have to be complex, but they have to exist. They help to direct the gamer towards a goal, helping to create a more immersive experience that increases engagement.
There’s been a lot of development in this field in recent years, and, today, video games can have storylines that are as complex as movies. But dive into those classic games and you’ll find a narrative present — old-school games such as Super Mario and Sonic, for instance, boast simple but clearly identifiable storylines.
Excellent Design
The design of the game is arguably just as important as the underlying technical elements. After all, gamers are increasingly looking at the aesthetics of the game when deciding what to play, especially when it comes to online games. This is particularly evident in mobile and online casino games, which tend to have unique designs.
If we take a look at how slot machines work, for instance, we see that they all broadly function in the same way, yet you’ll find a staggering level of variety in the look of the game. The thousands of games available all use an RNG (random number generator) to determine wins, yet, thanks to the design, all offer a unique gaming experience.
Smooth Functionality
A developer can put together what, in theory, should be an excellent game, but if it doesn’t function as well as it should, then it won’t get the good reviews needed to be a smash hit. Glitches, bugs, and clunky gameplay take gamers out of the immersive experience and are simply frustrating to deal with. Despite significant advancements being made in the world of game development, you’ll still find some titles with glitches that essentially make the game unplayable.
Not all bugs are game-breaking. Some actually become positive attributes; the Grand Theft Auto franchise, for instance, owes its life to a bug in the original racing game that caused dozens of police to swarm on the player. From that, the concept of the game we came to know and love was born. But by and large, bugs are unwelcome, especially if they’re of the type that causes a game to crash without saving, wiping out all the progress the gamer had made.
Background Music
Game soundtracks are pretty fascinating. Most people pay no attention to them whatsoever, but they’d certainly notice if the game had no music or sounds whatsoever. The goal of video game soundtracks is to elevate the gaming experience without being distracting. They’re designed to make the gamer focus on the task at hand, while also creating tension. Video game soundtracks have improved significantly in recent years, with some even picking up Grammy awards.
Challenging Yet Achievable
Finally, games must be challenging without being too challenging. Nobody wants to play a game that’s impossible to win. Yet equally, nobody wants to play a game that you can complete on autopilot. The best games strike a balance been difficulty and achievability, ensuring that the gamer can play for fun, secure in the knowledge that it’s not a waste of time.