We often think the more realistic the game, the better. However, that’s not always the case. While game designers have a lot of fun experimenting with different levels of realism when creating a game, the best games strike the right balance between realism and fun. When a game is realistic, it places players in a world that feels authentic, and the game mechanics are lifelike, making the game world even more believable. On the other hand, a fun game is one that’s all about enjoyment, accessibility, and replayability.
When developers set out to create a title, they want to bring together the best of both worlds, and that can be a challenge. If they place too much emphasis on a game’s realism, it could take away from the entertainment value of the title. In this article, we look at how designers make games realistic without compromising on playability.
The Appeal of Realism in Gaming
Most gamers seek out realism in games, whether they’re playing a complex RPG title or a slot game. While realism isn’t necessarily the first thing that comes to mind when people think of online casinos, if you’ve ever logged onto one of these platforms, you know they do an impressive job of recreating the physical casino experience in the virtual world. Players can choose from a wide variety of themed online slots or play a table game like roulette. A big part of the appeal of these platforms is they achieve a high level of realism while ensuring the games are enjoyable.
The same can be said for all gaming genres. All we have to do is look at simulation games and historical recreations to see how this plays out. These games feature detailed worlds with accurate representations of real-world scenarios. This authenticity makes the game’s storytelling even better because the narrative becomes believable against the realistic backdrop.
When Realism Goes Too Far
Since we value realism in games so much, it’s hard to believe there’s a situation where it could go wrong. However, if you’ve ever played a title and became frustrated because it prioritized accuracy of playability, you know exactly what we’re talking about. Too much realism can make a game feel too much like a simulation and not like entertainment. That’s fine for games in that genre, but for other games, it takes away from the goal many gamers have when they sit down to play a game — escapism and getting away from the tediousness of their day-to-day lives. Listening to player feedback can help developers correct course and make games that are authentic without sacrificing fun.
The Role of Fun in Game Design
We all know games are supposed to be fun; we wouldn’t spend hours playing them if they weren’t. For many, gaming is a way to disconnect, and games that have mechanics, are easy to learn and engaging but require some effort to master are often the most satisfying because they make us feel like we’ve achieved something. You can see this clearly in the mechanics of fantasy and arcade-style games, which often place a priority on entertainment over realism. These games are highly replayable and encourage community building as players return to these titles again and again and share them with others. When developers get it right, they create fun games that appeal to a wide audience and have lasting appeal.
Striking the Perfect Balance
We all know that perfection is hard to achieve, but that doesn’t stop us from trying. Most would agree that the best games are able to blend realism and fun in just the right way and that they’re a joy to play.
Developers have to know their target audience and their expectations if they hope to achieve the perfect balance of realism and fun in a game. Once they understand what they want, they may use techniques like using game mechanics that combine realistic features with engaging gameplay. In that way, one never overshadows the other. When done well, these games place players in immersive worlds that are both believable and highly entertaining.
