CaptainZ

The "playability" of blockchain games has always been a focus of industry discussions. We often think that previous GameFi games were poorly made and only survived on the so-called "play2earn" concept. As a result, the industry has gradually developed two different perspectives:

One perspective is to improve playability by creating AAA-level games. This is why we can see many VC institutions investing heavily in professional game studios in the past year.

The second perspective is to shift towards fully decentralized games by embedding game logic into smart contracts. This provides a different gaming experience from traditional games and GameFi games, thereby increasing composability and playability.

Playability, also known as gameplay, is perhaps the most important and chaotic term in the gaming industry. It covers various aspects of the game, from basic operations and controls to game design and storylines, to player emotional responses and experiences. The gaming industry generally believes that playability plays a crucial role in the success of a game. Critics may say that a game has poor playability, but it is difficult to define what exactly playability is. What's more important is that there is no good method to guarantee the successful implementation of playability. Regardless of the direction in which blockchain games ultimately develop, playability will play an increasingly important role. Therefore, understanding and improving the "playability" of games is a complex and thoughtful task.

We try to use a "classification method" to decompose what the concept of "playability" means in specific software. We use a multidimensional model to decompose the concept of "playability". This model is similar to Maslow's hierarchy of needs and is divided into four levels: "usability layer," "game layer," "genre layer," and "emotional layer."

• Usability Layer: This is the most basic level, covering the basic operations and controls of the game. If players cannot easily control the game or if the game's interface and menus are difficult to understand, the playability of the game will be affected.

• Game Layer: This level covers the basic design of the game, including game rules, objectives, challenges, and rewards. A highly playable game should have attractive game design that can engage players and maintain their interest.

• Genre Layer: This layer covers the types and styles of games, including themes, stories, characters, visual and audio designs, etc. Different game types and styles attract different players. Therefore, understanding your target audience and providing them with the game types and styles they like is crucial.

• Emotional Layer: This is the highest level, covering the emotional responses and experiences of players while playing the game. A highly playable game should be able to evoke emotional responses from players, making them feel excited, satisfied, challenged, or engaged.

Usability Layer#

The bottom layer is the "usability layer" because games are essentially software. This layer includes attributes such as "learnability" and "memorability," which are crucial for playability. It is the foundation for players to smoothly enter and enjoy the game.

1. Learnability: This is a very important factor. If players cannot quickly understand the basic rules and controls of the game, they may feel confused and frustrated, and may even give up the game. Therefore, the game should have an intuitive interface and clear tutorials to help players get started quickly.

2. Efficiency: Once players have learned the basic rules and controls of the game, they should be able to play the game efficiently. This means that the game controls should be responsive, the game interface should be clear, and players should be able to quickly perform the actions they want.

3. Memorability: This is another important factor. Players may play the game again after a period of time. If they have to relearn all the controls and rules, it will be a major obstacle. Therefore, the game design should allow players to easily remember the controls and rules, even after a period of not playing the game.

These three factors are key components of game usability, and they have a direct impact on the playability of the game. Game developers should consider these factors early in the game design process to ensure that their games provide a smooth and enjoyable experience for players.

Game Layer#

The second layer is the "game layer," which includes attributes common to various game types. Pierre-Alexandre Garneau listed 14 entertainment elements in an article, which can be considered as the objects of the game layer. These are important elements that game designers need to consider to ensure that their games meet the needs of various types of players.

1. Aesthetics: Visual and audio design in games is very important, as they can greatly enhance the attractiveness and immersion of the game.

2. Immersion: Games should be able to immerse players, allowing them to forget about the worries of the real world.

3. Problem-solving: Games should provide interesting and challenging problems for players to solve, which can increase the depth and complexity of the game.

4. Competition: Many players enjoy competition, whether it is against computer opponents or other players. Competition can increase the tension and excitement of the game.

5. Social interaction: Many players enjoy interacting with other players, whether it is cooperation or competition. Social elements can increase the depth and complexity of the game.

6. Humor: Humor can make the game more interesting and relaxed, increasing the entertainment value for players.

7. Thrill: Thrilling elements can increase the tension and excitement of the game, allowing players to experience excitement and pleasure in a safe environment.

8. Sports: Sports elements can allow players to experience the fun and challenges of sports in the game.

9. Love: Love elements can increase the depth and complexity of the game, allowing players to experience basic human emotions in the game.

10. Creation: Creation elements can allow players to experience the joy and sense of accomplishment in creating in the game.

11. Power: Power elements can allow players to experience the fun of controlling and influencing the game world.

12. Exploration and discovery: Exploration elements can allow players to experience the joy and excitement of exploring unknown worlds in the game.

13. Progression and completion: Progression and completion elements can allow players to experience the satisfaction and sense of achievement of reaching goals in the game.

14. Skill utilization: Skill utilization elements can allow players to experience the joy and sense of achievement in improving and skillfully using their skills in the game.

These elements are important components of game playability, and they have a direct impact on the playability of the game. Game developers should consider these factors during the game design process to ensure that their games provide a rich and satisfying experience for players.

Genre Layer#

The third layer is the "genre layer," which mainly consists of specific game attributes unique to various game genres. Each genre has its own unique game mechanics and style, attracting different types of players. For example, role-playing games (RPGs) usually have rich storylines and character development, action games (ACT) focus on fast-paced gameplay and precise controls, and first-person shooter games (FPS) provide immersive gaming experiences, and so on. Game genres are generally defined by a genre convention, which refers to the common and repeated features in games of the same genre. The genre convention has four parts:

1. Theme: The theme is the core idea of the game, which is usually reflected in the game's storyline, character design, visual style, and audio design. For example, the theme of striving to be the strongest and surpassing oneself is often emphasized in fighting games.

2. Storyline: The storyline is the main plot of the game, which can guide players through the game and add depth and attractiveness to the game. For example, the hero's journey in role-playing games.

3. Visual Style: The visual style is the visual representation of the game, which can influence players' first impressions and game experiences. For example, the opening scene of a first-person shooter game often features a three-dimensional interior with a weapon in the center of the screen.

4. Game Rules: Game rules are the basic framework of the game, determining the gameplay and objectives of the game. For example, real-time strategy games generally include building, production, management, and warfare.

We will now discuss some common game genres in more depth:

1. Role-Playing Games (RPGs): RPG games are usually characterized by rich storylines and character development. Players typically play as one or more characters and improve their abilities and skills through completing quests and battles. The playability of RPG games often comes from their deep storylines, complex character development systems, and rich game worlds. For example, "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt" is a typical RPG game that has won players' love with its rich storyline, deep character development system, and open game world.

2. Action Games (ACT): Action games usually focus on fast-paced gameplay and precise controls. Players need to control characters to complete various challenges and battles. The playability of action games often comes from their intense and exciting gameplay, precise controls, and sense of achievement. For example, "Super Mario" is a typical action game that has won players' love with its simple and fun gameplay and precise controls.

3. First-Person Shooter Games (FPS): FPS games provide immersive gaming experiences, where players control characters from a first-person perspective to engage in shooting battles. The playability of FPS games often comes from their immersive gaming experiences, intense battles, and precise controls. For example, the "Call of Duty" series is a typical FPS game that has won players' love with its realistic combat experience, rich game modes, and precise controls.

4. Strategy Games (RTS): Strategy games usually require players to make thoughtful decisions and management. Players need to manage resources, build bases, produce units, and command battles. The playability of strategy games often comes from their deep strategy elements, complex management systems, and sense of achievement. For example, "StarCraft" is a typical strategy game that has won players' love with its deep strategy elements, complex management systems, and intense battles.

5. Fighting Games (FTG): Fighting games usually focus on one-on-one battles, where players need to master various skills and tactics to defeat opponents. The playability of fighting games often comes from their intense battles, diverse character and skill choices, and precise controls. For example, "Street Fighter" is a typical fighting game that has won players' love with its diverse character choices, deep combat system, and precise controls.

6. Racing Games (RAC): Racing games usually revolve around driving and racing, where players need to master various driving skills and tactics to win races. The playability of racing games often comes from their fast-paced races, diverse vehicle and track choices, and realistic driving experience. For example, "Need for Speed" is a typical racing game that has won players' love with its diverse vehicle choices, varied tracks, and realistic driving experience.

7. Simulation Games (SIM): Simulation games usually simulate real-life activities or situations, where players need to make various decisions and management to achieve goals. The playability of simulation games often comes from their deep simulation elements, diverse game choices, and sense of achievement. For example, "The Sims" is a typical simulation game that has won players' love with its deep life simulation, diverse game choices, and sense of achievement.

8. Sports Games (SPT): Sports games usually simulate various sports activities, where players need to master various skills and tactics to win matches. The playability of sports games often comes from their realistic sports experience, diverse team and athlete choices, and precise controls. For example, "FIFA" is a typical sports game that has won players' love with its realistic soccer experience, diverse team choices, and precise controls.

These attributes of game genres are important components of game playability, and they have a direct impact on the playability of the game. Game developers should consider these factors during the game design process to ensure that their games provide a rich and satisfying experience for players.

Emotional Layer#

The "emotional layer" is the highest level of game playability, involving players' emotional experiences and satisfaction in the game. The playability at this level is the most elusive and difficult to measure because it involves each player's personal feelings and subjective experiences. However, it is also the most important level because the ultimate goal of a game is to provide satisfaction and enjoyment to players.

1. Pursuit of Happiness: The most basic goal of a game is to make players feel happy. This happiness can come from various aspects of the game, including successfully completing tasks, solving puzzles, defeating enemies, achieving achievements, etc. Game developers need to understand what game elements and experiences can make players feel happy and incorporate these elements into the game as much as possible.

2. Curiosity about the World: Games often create a virtual world for players to explore. Players' curiosity about this world can drive them to delve into the game, explore every corner of the game, and discover the game's secrets and stories. Game developers need to create a rich and interesting game world to satisfy players' curiosity.

3. Need for Self-Actualization: Games can provide a platform for players to achieve goals that they may not be able to achieve in real life. This can be becoming a hero, building an empire, mastering a skill, etc. When players achieve these goals in the game, they feel satisfied and accomplished. Game developers need to understand players' needs and desires and design game experiences that can satisfy these needs.

In summary, the playability at the "emotional layer" is very important as it directly affects whether players will like and continue playing a game. Game developers need to deeply understand players' emotional needs and satisfy these needs as much as possible to create a deep and attractive game experience.