From my understanding, gameplay is about learning.
First of all, the player needs to learn the basic game mechanism to start playing the game. The learning process here not only stands for learning through a detailed tutorial provided by the game designer but also contains various other forms.
Additionally, considering the motivations that drive individuals to play games, it becomes evident that the interactive experience that the players have when playing games is similar to the learning process when people engage in other forms of entertainment. Generally speaking, players seek challenges, seize a sense of control over their virtual surroundings, aspire to develop mastery and achieve success, and ultimately desire rewarding experiences. When playing video games, these motivations can be achieved through carefully designed features that cater to these fundamental desires. Players are drawn to challenges that stimulate their cognitive abilities and strategic thinking. These challenges serve as the catalyst for engagement, creating an environment where individuals can test and enhance their skills. Thus, comparing the major elements, mastery, and achievements, to the learning process embedded in gameplay, we can conclude that video games offer a platform where players actively learn by experimenting and facing the consequences of their actions. They practice through trial and error and then transform each mistake into a valuable lesson.
For example, in rhythm games like Phigros, the meaning and required action of different keys are instructed through a designed tutorial as an introduction. This can be considered a direct learning process, through which players can quickly get accustomed to the basic mechanics and embark on their journey through conquering higher levels and achieving higher scores.
In the video game Inside we played in class, the players are allowed to explore the scene and start their adventure without any pre-learning tutorials. While facing obstacles and being caught by the enemies (the dogs, guards, etc.), the players can get used to the function of the keys and the storytelling process.
In simulation games like Minecraft, a sandbox game that allows players to shape and reshape their world. From resource gathering to crafting intricate structures, players engage in a creative learning process. This open-ended gameplay encourages exploration and imagination, fostering a sense of autonomy and self-directed learning.
In “Gameplay and Game Mechanics Design: A Key to Quality in Video Games”, Carlo Fabricatore emphasizes the pivotal role of game mechanics in shaping the player’s experience. He identifies three key activities within game mechanics that contribute to the challenge and reward aspects of gameplay:
“As for game mechanics, challenge and reward come from three mechanics-related activities:
– learning the mechanics;
– using the mechanics as a tool for gameplay in ordinary situations;
– using the mechanics as a tool for gameplay in extra-ordinary situations, in presence of external factors that may alter the ordinary working of the mechanics.”
By describing these three interconnected activities, it’s highlighted that gameplay is not a static experience but a dynamic process of continual learning and adaptation. The continuously developing use of game mechanics reflects the evolving challenges in different types and even among the same type of games. This ensures that the players remain engaged and motivated throughout their gaming experience.