Not all games are equal. Everybody can agree on that. Some are rich experiences that leave you feeling accomplished and filled with joy, and some just leave feeling like you've wasted your precious time. So, what makes a good game what it is?

 

Well, there are a few key factors that make up any good game, and while the quality of a game is somewhat subjective, these are objective points that all good games share.

 

Let's get into it.

 

Fun Factor

Whether or not you find something fun is usually subjective. Some people like intense first-person shooters with nothing really on the line, and some people love quiet and relaxing titles that soothe their nerves. However, both of those types of games have something in common: They're designed to bring you joy above anything else.

 

Any good game is designed to make each aspect enjoyable to play instead of focusing on some other aspect such as the game's story or potential rewards. After all, the story isn't worth hearing if it's boring to play through, and the rewards don't matter if you won't like using them in-game anyways.

 

Fluid and Intuitive Controls

A great game that should be a hit can easily hit the virtual bargain bin due to crumby controls. This ties into the fun factor of a game. Good developers will not only focus on the presentation of their game and what's possible within it, but they'll make the player's inputs easy to execute and intuitive.

 

Well-designed controls often make the difference between putting a game down out of frustration after wrestling with it to perform basic tasks and falling in love with a simple concept because it feels great to play and the experience isn't impeded.

 

Engaging Visual Design

Very rarely does a popular game look like the rear-end of a donkey. Visual design is important in game development. Whether you're developing the latest intense FPS game, making a tribute to '90s gaming, or just putting your spin on poker, the visual design has to engage players and immerse them in the experience.

 

This doesn't mean the graphics have to be photo-realistic and on-par with the latest AAA titles available. Even simplistic sprites can be made to look great through color choice, overall design, and the clever use of animation to create weight and impact.

 

Appropriate Sound Design

If a game has players hopping through a whimsical course of platforms and silly obstacles, the sound design should reflect that, and it should elicit a childlike or silly feeling from the player. If it has them crawling through murky sewers with monsters lurking in the shadows, the sound design should elicit fear and tie every element of the environment into one coherent experience.

 

On the flip side, putting players in a serious environment with an upbeat 8bit soundtrack blaring can easily ruin the game's atmosphere.

 

Finally, Rewards that Make it All Worthwhile

At the end of a gaming experience, gamers should feel rewarded for playing well. Whether the reward is real-world money, an NFT of their favorite in-game item or just a well-crafted ending, the reward for good gameplay should leave players feeling like they truly earned something.