Memorable Enterances

Game Career Guide is running another Story Design Challenge, and this time they are focused on Memorable Entrances. Click through and have a read to see what it's all about:

http://gamecareerguide.com/features/1062/story_design_challenge_best_.php

This got me thinking about what game entrances have stuck with me over the years, and how they impacted my experience. I'd have to say that one of the most memorable entrances for me was in Secret of Mana. If you've never seen it before, or it's just been a while and you need a refresher, watch it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnsJI4rmoVE

The reason I like this entrance into the game, is it gives a clear synopsis of the world, and lightly touches on what has happened leading up to the start of the main character's adventure. I leaves a good amount to the imagination as well, which is good, as it avoids inundating the user with more info than is necessary. The audio for the entrance was fantastic as well, and really grabbed my attention, drawing me into the game. I think this is key in helping user focus in on the experience right from the start. It's so important to have the right audio for every part of the game.

Hot on its heels would be the entrance to Chrono Trigger.

What was your most memorable entrance?

Ideas Come From Everywhere

Ideas Come From Everywhere

So often we get stuck on one idea, that we forget to continue creating. It's so important to continue creating even when you get stuck on an idea you are already focused on. By simply thinking about something new, you may inadvertently come up with something better or stumble on a solution that applies to your original idea.

A co-worker of mine shared this talk by Marissa Mayer, Vice President of Search Products and User Experience at Google. She shares nine lessons learned about fostering creative ideas and innovation based on her experience developing highly successful Web applications at Google: Ideas Come From Everywhere - If you are a creative individual, this is definitely worth a listen.

It's all about the 'Flow,' Baby!

It's nice to come across articles that are relevant to a question I am currently trying to answer or come up with a solution for.

Lately, I've been inundated with an exorbitant amount of features requiring a social focus, when there is a severe lack of understanding on what social really means. The lines become blurred pretty quickly depending on whom you speak to about what it means, but I like to think I have a solid grasp on what it is. For me, social starts at the connected roots of people. We inherently want to feel connected. When it comes to games, it's key to make sure that as developers, we keep in mind that the connectedness of users and the user experience will directly affect the social experience before it even starts. If we fail to make the user feel connected, or if we miss the opportunity to foster community with the user base of whatever product we are making, we have lost our social audience before we leave the starting line.

It all comes down to 'Flow'. This is the sweet spot in between boredom and anxiety in which the user becomes completely connected with both the product and the other users that are utilizing it. It's where they become indefinitely absorbed because they feel engaged.

The 'Typical Flow' Diagram

This is the third time I have come across this diagram in as many months, and I have learned invaluable lessons from the information it provides, the two books and this article it is mentioned in: http://gamasutra.com/view/feature/168230/gamification_dynamics_flow_and_art.php

As mentioned in the article, Jenova Chen's thesis is a fantastic read on the subject of flow, and making the user feel connected to the product and other users. Check it out here: http://www.jenovachen.com/flowingames/introduction.htm

I have much more I want to discuss about this subject, but alas, it is time for Game 1 of the Playoffs.
Until next time,
~Corlag the Bard~