There are a few video game classics that seem to endure for decades. From the early classics like the Zelda franchise, and Super Mario games, to more recent classics like Half-Life, and Deus Ex. But what makes a video game truly memorable, and stay fresh in people’s heads, even though much better games have come out since?
For one, it seems like many tend to have nostalgia about video games they enjoyed in their youth. Old games are often remembered better than they are. But that is not the only reason for video games that seem to exist in a golden zone. There are factors that make video games enjoyable, and although incredibly difficult to achieve, certainly seem to have a tangible and measurable nature.
Let’s take a look at what makes a video game a classic.
Finding The Special Ingredients
The Super Mario games seem to be universally praised, with virtually everyone who plays video games acknowledging their superior quality. But, what is it about the Super Mario games that made them stand apart? After all, there were many games coming out when Super Mario did, that were similar in design.
The Super Mario games seemed to perfect the nature of games at that time. Many games were 2D side-scrolling, but not many truly understood what made this type of game enjoyable. The task of guiding a character over a 2D plain had certain elements that made the game either enjoyable, or frustrating, and the Super Mario games honed the aspects that were enjoyable, including precise controls, and consistent challenges. The early Super Mario games were, simply, the best aspects of that era of games.
A Major Breakthrough
The same can be said for the more recent classics like Half-Life. Many first person shooter games were coming out in that era, often very similar to one another. What Half-Life did was perfect everything that was enjoyable about this genre of video game, plus adding a new dimension to the formula. Half-Life was not only a good shooting game, but also one that added a level of detail that had never been seen before. In other words; Half-Life was the best possible shooter game, using all the right elements. It understood what made these games fun. It should be noted that Half-Life did not have the best graphics at that time.
Perfecting The Right Elements
What ultimately makes a game such as online blackjack real money Canada a classic, is the process of understanding and perfecting what makes the genre of game fun. Simply making a version of a game with better graphics, and a more advanced system, is not enough. Instead, honing in on the fun factor of the game and perfecting it is what makes a game excel.
Regardless of understanding what makes a game good, though, is easier than putting that knowledge into practice. At the core of a good game is a developer that understands games, and are likely gamers themselves. After all, knowing how boxing works does not automatically make that person good at the sport. The same for video games, and the making of video games. Talent, plus passion for the subject, is what makes a good developer a great developer.