Stress vs. Excitement: What makes a game fun?

futurebird · 2019-05-12 17:48:27

I've been seeing a word over and over in posts from people who don't like the new update (including my own) and that word is "stress" -- worrying about attacker is stressful. Icky racial dynamics are stressful. Clutter is stressful. But, there is another word that's key to good games and that's *excitement* chasing a baby kidnapper is exciting. Getting the pump going just in time is exciting.

Both of these emotions result from pressure but what is the difference? I think the key difference is empowerment. If you face a problem and you think you can solve it, or an opponent and think you can beat them, if you just act quickly enough, if you just put the right elements together that's excitement. When you face a problem or danger and you feel helpless and don't think there is anything you can do about it? That's stress.

I think a lot of us feel as though we are being left at the mercy (or lack of mercy) of players who just want to destroy things. If your main goal is to build! Advance! then diverting energy in to defense isn't empowering it's seeing your goal vanish over the horizon.

My strategy has been to just keep building and most of the time this works because most players are constructive and not inclined to be hostile or nasty for no real reason. The player base is mostly rather kind and inclined to help and excited to learn if you are willing to take the time to teach.

In my last life my kids got on my nerves a bit since they wanted me to teach them so much! "Mom how do I" ... "Mom can I help..." etc. I just wanted to dig in and work without talking but I stopped to help them both and it was worth it.

I could have worried about someone attacking the town, but I decided to focus on them instead.

And when in another life I was stabbed while making rubber I told my son not to worry and used my last words to explain the last steps of the process to him. I just ignored the guy who stabbed me. After cursing him what else was there to say?

The forces of order have greater numbers and when we die? We just come back and keep going.

Solbusaur · 2019-05-12 18:17:30

99% of the time for me it's excitement. When I live a life, I usually focus on the present and don't have to worry about what needs to be made. If something is lacking though, I strive to fix it. But most of the time, that's something more remote, like lack of buckets or a need for compost.
Chasing griefers won't really interrupt small things like that for me, and I live for the chase

One Hour One Life Forums

#1 2019-05-12 17:48:27

Stress vs. Excitement: What makes a game fun?

#2 2019-05-12 18:17:30

Re: Stress vs. Excitement: What makes a game fun?

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