You know the games you love – but do you know why you love them? Can you explain why something is cool, but something else just doesn’t do it for you?
Most people can’t, and it is a tricky challenge even for game developers. While players can often identify elements they like – such as colors, puzzles, or characters – they rarely can elaborate why the elements appeal to them. As game developers, we need to understand not only what players like to play, but also the why behind it.
There are a range of methods to answer the two questions. The more traditional and obvious methods, like playtests, player surveys, market research, and in-game analytics, are useful for understanding what it is people enjoy to play. The second question – why does this audience enjoy whatever it is they do – is trickier! It requires gaining insights into the intrinsic motivations of individuals.
