Lecture: Strategies for Understanding Video Games

Introduction

• Popular video games are often praised as masterpieces.
• Some people find it hard to enjoy these popular games.
• Original goal: Develop a strategy to understand any game.
• Aim: Test these methods on games previously difficult to enjoy.

Strategies for Understanding Games

1. Gateway Game Method

• Definition: Begin with a beginner-friendly game in a genre to ease into more complex games.
  • Example: Celeste for challenging games like Dark Souls.
• Purpose: Reduce frustration and gradually increase difficulty.

2. Pre-established Connection

• Definition: Develop an interest in a game through other media or franchises.
  • Example: Watching a show like Arcane might lead you to play League of Legends.

3. Understanding Players and Developers

• Definition: Empathize with players and developers to see the game from their perspective.
  • Ask: How do enthusiasts handle the game's aspects? Why were certain design choices made?
• Note: This method often overlaps with the others.

Case Study: Majora's Mask and Timed Mechanics

• Challenge: Dislike for time-based mechanics in games.
• Solution: Used Unsighted to understand time mechanics.
  • Unsighted allows disabling the timer, easing players into time management.
  • Result: Appreciation for the strategic depth timers add.
• Outcome: Able to appreciate Majora's Mask more after understanding the mechanics in Unsighted.

Case Study: Persona 5 Royal

• Problem: Difficulty enjoying Persona 5 Royal despite multiple attempts.
• Experiment: Played Shin Megami Tensei V (SMT V) due to interest in mythology.
  • Enjoyed due to similar themes and gameplay mechanics.
• Theory: Personal connection with mythology enhanced enjoyment.
• Attempted Methods: Used all three methods but still found Persona 5 unenjoyable.

Final Test: Metaphor Re Fantasio

• Objective: Determine if the problem with Persona 5 is structural or personal.
• Findings:
  • Metaphor shares many structural similarities with Persona 5.
  • Enjoyed Metaphor suggesting issue with Persona is personal.
• Conclusion: Personal reasons might prevent enjoyment of certain games despite using these methods.

Conclusion

• The methods work for understanding and enjoying most games.
• They might not work for every game due to personal preferences.
• Exploring different games can lead to discovering new favorites.
• Finding value in the journey to understand a game, even if it doesn’t become a favorite.