Games have always been, in part, graded on their mechanisms to bring longevity and re-playability;after completion.
To me, this has always felt a little stupid and now i'll explain why?
I'll take film and music as other mediums to contrast against.
When you buy an Album, the first time you listen it through, you get an overall feeling for it, you may have already found the 1 or 2 tracks thay already stand out to you.
Once you've listened to that album for, say, the 3rd or 4th time, you'll by now know what track comes next, you're taking in the music alot more than when you first heard it, and your beginning to understand or 'get' the music.
On your 6th or 7th spin of the CD, you can porbably sing along, you've picked up the lyrics, yor aware of the little messages or points of the music, and your pretty sure it's money well spent.
The album is then put amongst the rest, waiting to be heard again someday.
But thats it, no unlockable tracks, no hidden art work, no alternative mixes, no track 7 in G minor, just sleave notes and the 10 tracks already selectable at the start.
So why go back? you know what comes next, you know the lyrics, you know the music inside & out, so whats to be gained by listening to it again?
Same with film, you seen it once or twice, why go back? you know whats coming next? Surley any tension/suprise is lost? The point?
For a developer to want you to go back to their game, they're to include somesort of device to lure you back in.
Examples like, new items, abilities, levels, characters, concept art or extra options pages etc etc.
Somehow these things will enhance the game for you to love it all over again the 2nd, 3rd and the 4th time round.
Thing is, it's not necessary.
You go back because you loved it the first time round, you know what happens, of course, but that scene, level, track holds a special place all of it's own, you WANT to go back and watch, listen, play all over again, experience it's beauty/genius again and again.
Thats why some games i'll never part with, and will continue to play them to re-live those experiences.
Extra's are nice, but it's the game you'll want to play again, and a good game, just like a good album or film, will have you coming back for more, Time and time again.
I just wish the wasn't lost on some games & people.
Ta for reading.
To me, this has always felt a little stupid and now i'll explain why?
I'll take film and music as other mediums to contrast against.
When you buy an Album, the first time you listen it through, you get an overall feeling for it, you may have already found the 1 or 2 tracks thay already stand out to you.
Once you've listened to that album for, say, the 3rd or 4th time, you'll by now know what track comes next, you're taking in the music alot more than when you first heard it, and your beginning to understand or 'get' the music.
On your 6th or 7th spin of the CD, you can porbably sing along, you've picked up the lyrics, yor aware of the little messages or points of the music, and your pretty sure it's money well spent.
The album is then put amongst the rest, waiting to be heard again someday.
But thats it, no unlockable tracks, no hidden art work, no alternative mixes, no track 7 in G minor, just sleave notes and the 10 tracks already selectable at the start.
So why go back? you know what comes next, you know the lyrics, you know the music inside & out, so whats to be gained by listening to it again?
Same with film, you seen it once or twice, why go back? you know whats coming next? Surley any tension/suprise is lost? The point?
For a developer to want you to go back to their game, they're to include somesort of device to lure you back in.
Examples like, new items, abilities, levels, characters, concept art or extra options pages etc etc.
Somehow these things will enhance the game for you to love it all over again the 2nd, 3rd and the 4th time round.
Thing is, it's not necessary.
You go back because you loved it the first time round, you know what happens, of course, but that scene, level, track holds a special place all of it's own, you WANT to go back and watch, listen, play all over again, experience it's beauty/genius again and again.
Thats why some games i'll never part with, and will continue to play them to re-live those experiences.
Extra's are nice, but it's the game you'll want to play again, and a good game, just like a good album or film, will have you coming back for more, Time and time again.
I just wish the wasn't lost on some games & people.
Ta for reading.
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