Slide 1

An Analysis of Fun for Casual and Social Games Roberto Dillon, Ph.D. Chief Game Designer Kentaura Pte.Ltd. roberto.dillon@kentaura.com Slide 2 Slide 3 Overview How to analyze games? MDA ( Mechanics Dynamics Aesthetics ) The 6-11 Framework Players typologies Examples in Casual and Social games Reference: Hunicke, Le Blanc, Zubek: MDA: a Formal approach to Game Design and Game Research. Available online at: http://www.cs.northwestern.edu/~hunicke/MDA.pdf Reference: Roberto Dillon: On the Way to Fun: an Emotion Based Approach to Successful Game Design AKPeters / CRC Press, 2010 Reference: Richard Bartle: Hearts, Clubs, Diamonds, Spades: Players who suits MUDs Available online at : http://mud.co.uk/richard/hcds.htm Slide 4 MDA: Game Components Break down a game at different levels: Mechanics Game rules, the basic elements/actions by which the game is played How to play the game Dynamics Gameplay, what happens by applying the rules What to do in the game, Player's behaviour Aesthetics Emotional response by the player Slide 5 Aesthetics The most difficult part to understand and master How do players feel when they play? What do players really want? What triggers Fun?? MDA own Aesthetics model: 8 Kinds of Fun Slide 6 6-11 Framework Alternative Model for analyzing game aesthetics : Alternative Model for analyzing game aesthetics : Fun as an outcome from engaging the player through basic emotions and instincts Fun as an outcome from engaging the player through basic emotions and instincts 6 Basic Emotions 6 Basic Emotions 11 Instinct 11 Instinct Their correspondences/relationships Their correspondences/relationships Easy to relate these to game dynamics and mechanics Easy to relate these to game dynamics and mechanics Slide 7 6 Emotions Fear Anger Pride Slide 8 6 Emotions Sadness Excitement Joy Slide 9 11 Instincts Survival Revenge Curiosity Slide 10 11 Instincts Self Identification Aggressiveness Competition Slide 11 11 Instincts Protection / Care Greed Collecting Slide 12 11 Instincts Communication Color Appreciation Slide 13 In general: Emotions can trigger instincts Instincts push the player to act in the game Easy to link instincts to game dynamics and mechanics Analysis Framework Fear Anger Survival Aggressiveness Escaping Avoiding danger Chasing Fighting Hiding Running Kicking Casting a spell Slide 14 Angry Birds (Rovio 2009) Slide 15 Understanding Players: Dr. Bartles taxonomy Achievers Regard points-gathering and rising in levels as their main goal Bragging rights Core Instincts: Collecting, Greed, Competition Explorers Want to know everything about the game and its world/possibilities Check everything it has to offer Core Instincts: Identification, Curiosity Slide 16 Understanding Players: Dr. Bartles taxonomy Socializers Interested in knowing other people Sharing/listening/empathizing with other players Killers Want to impose themselves on others The more massive the distress caused, the greater the killer's joy at having caused it Core Instincts: Communication, Protection Core Instincts: Aggressiveness, Revenge, Competition, Survival Slide 17 Back to Angry Birds Explorers Achievers Socializers Killers Slide 18 Millionaire City (Digital Chocolate) Identification Curiosity Greed Communication CompetitionJoy Excitement Real Estate CEO What happens next? You can do better than your friends! Share results Pride Were getting rich! Dynamics Build and upgrade stuff Plan Development Find presents and rewards Mechanics Buy properties Sign contracts Grab money and gifts Etc. Collecting New daily prizes! Slide 19 Millionaire City / Typical Social Game Identification Curiosity Greed Communication CompetitionJoy Excitement Pride Collecting Explorers Achievers Socializers Killers Slide 20 Empires & Allies (Zynga 2011) Difficult to balance? Identification Curiosity Greed Communication Protection CompetitionJoy Excitement Invade and loot Pride Collecting Aggressiveness Slide 21 Horse Master Slide 22 Identification Protection Collecting Pride Joy Color Appreciation Communication Curiosity (Subtle/Hidden) Competition Excitement Slide 23 Horse Master Identification CollectingGreed Competition Excitement Pride Joy Slide 24 Identification Protection CollectingGreed Competition Excitement Pride Joy Color Appreciation Communication Curiosity FUN! Action Strategy/Farming (Subtle/Hidden) Competition Excitement Explorers Achievers Socializers Killers Slide 25 Conclusions Importance of a pragmatic approach to game analysis and design to effectively engage audiences and provide a fun experience Need to address the instincts of different player typologies: Casual games strong on Achievers and Explorers SNG clearly expanding also to Socializers Allow players to communicate and share effectively friendly Killers? Easy to strike back Negative effects offset by some positives Slide 26 Thanks for your Attention! Roberto.Dillon@kentaura.com