This document discusses common elements in video games that keep players engaged. It begins by asking why players can't put games down and why they get better as they play. It then discusses common goals players want to achieve in games, obstacles that impede progress, and tools players use to overcome obstacles. The document also covers the ability to fail and try again through mechanics like extra lives and health bars. It explains how gameplay leads to learning skills that transfer between similar games. In the end, it discusses how games create a balance between failure and success loops to teach players through mistakes in a way that keeps them progressing.

2. Ask your self these Questions Why can’t you put the game down? See Goals Why do you get better as you play? See Learning How can I die so many times? See Second Chances First lets look at some games.

4. Confused? These are just some of the games I have played in my life time. Just by looking at them they seem quite complicated. Lets make it easier

5. What the Player wishes to achieve. Main goals I want to win! Sub-Goals Shiny things Sense of purpose. Reason to go on. Goal

6. Something that impedes the player’s progress. Example: Spike pit A Monster A challenge of sorts. Feeling of Accomplishment Obstacles

7. Tools are what the player use to get to a goal. Examples: A Sword A Spell A Jump Your vocabulary… Learn to use them properly. Tools

8. Goal: Cure Cancer Comfort Patient Tool: Chemo Blaster Antibiotic Rockets Obstacle: Cancer Cells Bacteria Examples

9. The Player’s ability to fail and try again. Its just a game. Examples: Extra Lives Health Bar Quest for perfection Second Chances

11. The SetupHow the concepts work together

12. What should happen

13. What usually happens

14. Another chance

15. A touch of insight

16. It’s learning!

17. In Other Words? The learning process in games is accomplished by making mistakes and learning from them. The game keeps the player from progressing until they get it right.

18. Failure Loop If the player keeps failing they will be stuck in this loop. The player can’t progress until they overcome this obstacle.

19. Success Loop When the player over comes the obstacle they prove to the game that they have learned.

20. Balance The best games balance these failure and success loops to generate game flow. Portal by Valve is one of the best examples. Go play it or any game with this model in mind.