Thinking about high interactivity and low ability threshold when it comes to gaming, it’s not really surprising a game that combines both can be very successful. What is surprising, is how difficult it is to hit that sweet spot of ease of use combined with engaging gameplay.
It's no wonder that "gamification" was such a buzzword a couple years ago. Simple clicker/tapper games were just getting mainstream coverage, and every bored pleb on Facebook was playing some 'ville derivative. But what is that hook? I for one don't think it's a visual cue. Is it the act of rewarding skilled play? Perhaps, but the variables of "what makes skilled gameplay" and "what is a reward" are nebulous and distinct for each gameplay experience. The umbrella answers to each are 1) quick completion and 2) items used in games. 2 seems to be a major factor here. Rewarding players for watching ads is the new hot garbage, with companies offering these services springing up every quarter for venture funding.
Maybe I just don't want to believe it; as little faith as I have in humanity, I still want to believe you need more than shiny trinkets to gain favor with the masses. Deep down, I know that's wrong, but like the X-Files, I want to believe.
It's no wonder that "gamification" was such a buzzword a couple years ago. Simple clicker/tapper games were just getting mainstream coverage, and every bored pleb on Facebook was playing some 'ville derivative. But what is that hook? I for one don't think it's a visual cue. Is it the act of rewarding skilled play? Perhaps, but the variables of "what makes skilled gameplay" and "what is a reward" are nebulous and distinct for each gameplay experience. The umbrella answers to each are 1) quick completion and 2) items used in games. 2 seems to be a major factor here. Rewarding players for watching ads is the new hot garbage, with companies offering these services springing up every quarter for venture funding.
Maybe I just don't want to believe it; as little faith as I have in humanity, I still want to believe you need more than shiny trinkets to gain favor with the masses. Deep down, I know that's wrong, but like the X-Files, I want to believe.
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