Game Fun

(Source)

In the first article I read was "Natural Funativity" by Noah Falstein, it talks about what makes a game fun when everyone find different types of things fun,how evolution and what our ancestors did influences what we find fun today. It also talks about how fun is subjective and that even though we have a hard time defining the word "fun", "we know it when we have it".

The theory of "Natural Funativity" comes from the merging of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution and Natural Selection and the question of "What is Funativity Quotient?" from Steve Arnold. This theory is broken down into 3 sections:

• Physical fun
• Social fun 
• Mental fun

Physical fun:

People are most drawn to something that challenges their survival skills. They will continue to focus on something until they can overcome the threats and obstacles which also improves their skills. We find enjoyment in this as it relates back to our ancestors and how they had the need to perfect their skills so that they had a higher chance of survival.

Social Fun:

The way this relates to evolution is not through the means of survival but through reproduction, meeting and attracting mates. Games don't really focus on "attracting a mate" but through things like being able to play online multiplayer, that has changed. Devices and platforms that allow players to be in contact with one another in the real world allow the social aspect of games to develop. As "tribal creatures", we form groups and enjoy to learn from each other. We find ways of survival through sharing and learning from information in social situations and activities rather than through physical strength.

Mental Fun:

Mental fun focuses on improving our mental abilities as a form of fun. Our intelligence is what allows us to make use of our physical strengths, tools, language and carrying out conversations. All those things complement one another. Intelligence is the perception and manipulation of patterns, people enjoy finding patterns in something and learning from it. Being able to recognise a pattern and then act upon it has been a very useful survival skill. It is a workout for the brain.

Many games and activities are a mix of 2 or all 3 different types of fun, which is known as blended fun. However, by understanding the reason why we find these forms of survival so interesting and fun can help come up or further develop on game ideas/concepts. By combining these 3 things, you can capture the interest of many people and how much fun they have playing the game you've created.

The second article I looked at was "Hearts, Clubs, Diamonds, Spades:Players who suit MUDs" by Richard Bartle. It talks about what people like from a MUD. Bartle collected information from a discussion on what players liked,didn't like,why they played and what improvements they could make to a MUD. He summarised and noticed a pattern in the answers which divided the information into 4 groups. Most people drifted between all 4 groups but overall, the majority was fixed on only 1 group. These 4 groups are:

• Achievers- Focus on points and rising in levels as their main goal. The only time they mix in the other 3 groups is if it gains them more points
• Explorers- Explore the game and its features. Mixes with the other 3 groups if it gives them access to new areas or gives ideas on new things to try.
• Socialisers- Interested more in forming relationships with players than the game itself. Mix in other 3 groups if it allows them to talk to people and understand what they are talking about.
• Killers- Enjoy causing distress to the players and chaos in the game. Only mix in the other 3 groups if it allows them to become stronger to cause more damage, find people to taunt or place to cause chaos in.

Each of these groups enjoy the game differently, however, administrators need to maintain balanced relationships in these groups so the game can still be enjoyable for everyone