Under the microscope: How developers play a game

For those of you who want to do more in the world of gaming than enjoy titles from a casual perspective, this article over at Game Career Guide will prove most handy. Even if you don’t have a game of your own brewing inside your head, it’s a pretty great read. It places you in the perspective of the designer and how they look at other people’s games.

I find it almost boggling to read from this perspective, as it makes you realize just how many options you have before you when creating a complete universe for users to explore. It becomes obvious quickly that a tremendous part of a designer’s responsibility is how to manage tedium, as most games are made up of repeating actions in one way or another. There’s a lovely rhythm that all designers are seeking, one which the average gamer can only appreciate in the most casual sense.

I’d love to hear some feedback from users that have either created a game or want to about this topic. Do you believe the best games have this silent rhythm? What’s the magic combination of elements that makes for a perfect gaming experience? Are they different every time?

[Thanks Justin!]