The Theory of Fun

Not a big fan of generalization, however I am going to make the assumption that people prefer having fun, over being miserable. Yes, there are exceptions, but naturally our brains are programmed to crave, enjoy and seek fun.

There are so many different ways to experience and create fun, especially in a game context: Winning, problem solving, exploring, chilling, team work, triumphing, collecting, surprises, imagination, customizing… Not everybody has the same understanding of fun and different people, have fun in different ways.

This chapter explores the different types of fun according to different theorists and experts from academic and game culture.

(1) Nicole Lazzaro, a game designer, created a chart, showing – very simply put – why people play and defines player experience as, how player interaction creates emotional stimuli.

Easy Fun: Inspires exploration, curiosity, enjoying and capturing the imagination

Hard Fun: Overcoming challenges and obstacles, giving players a feeling of accomplishment

People Fun: Hanging out with friends, building social bonds, collaborative interaction and team work

Serious Fun: Purposeful play, doing things that are meaningful, play as a way of making boring tasks fun

(2) Marc Le Blanc, also a renowned game designer, identifies 8 types of fun:

Sensation: Game as sense-pleasure

Fantasy: Game as make-believe

Narrative: Game as unfolding story

Challenge: Game as obstacle course

Fellowship: Game as social framework

Discovery: Game as uncharted territory

Expression: Game as soap box

Submission: Game as mindless pastime

Not every player/user/gamer/friend/foe is obviously motivated by the same types of fun and different types of fun, can (and are) intertwined.

(3) Let me introduce Raph Koster to you, a game designer and the author of the book Theory of Fun. Oki, I haven’t read the book yet (will do so soon!!!), basically he believes games teache us skills, in a safe and entertaining environment and these skills we can transfer to our everyday lives! Also this sentence just blows me away, according to him, a good game is "one that teaches everything it has to offer before the player stops playing.". Think about that, let that go through your head, a good game teaches you something and how do you learn best? By having fun and playing. By not noticing that you are learning.

To end this week’s learnings, lets look at one more enlightening fact, a game, or gamified system (or life in general) is not about completely engaging users in your system, but finding the fun and moving people towards an objective. Focus on the fun and you will move people.

#fun #gamification #games #gamedesign #gameelements #gaming