What makes a good game?

[Trevor]

I've played "World of Warcraft" for over a year, and am part of a casual guild called "Amazing Heroes", which is run by very socialable and amazing players. I've reached level 80 with some good BoE gear for my rogue, Jofrey.
Then I decided to switch to "Lord of the Rings" online, and chose a Runekeeper, named Eljorlas Finlorian, who is now level 28, and not part of a Kinship.
Well tonight I got reminiscent of WoW, and started wondering why I am still playing LOTRO, even though I know that WoW is a blackhole of bottomless gear changing, and that when I get to level 35 in LOTRO I will get a horse, and that over 30 is when the fun really starts.
But I miss the player versus player of WoW.
My question is to the almighty Big View audience: What is the best game?
Not out of these two. I'd be willing to take up a new one.
Why do I feel the need to play a game? What is a good LEARNING GAME?

[Akamu]

I've played "World of Warcraft" for over a year, and am part of a casual guild called "Amazing Heroes", which is run by very socialable and amazing players. I've reached level 80 with some good BoE gear for my rogue, Jofrey.
Then I decided to switch to "Lord of the Rings" online, and chose a Runekeeper, named Eljorlas Finlorian, who is now level 28, and not part of a Kinship.
Well tonight I got reminiscent of WoW, and started wondering why I am still playing LOTRO, even though I know that WoW is a blackhole of bottomless gear changing, and that when I get to level 35 in LOTRO I will get a horse, and that over 30 is when the fun really starts.
But I miss the player versus player of WoW.
My question is to the almighty Big View audience: What is the best game?
Not out of these two. I'd be willing to take up a new one.
Why do I feel the need to play a game? What is a good LEARNING GAME?

What is the best game?

That is a hard question; I can, at best, probably only give you a winner from each particular genre.

I played WoW for a time. Then I quit. I played again for a shorter time. Then I quit. I think I gave it one last go a while ago, and then quit permanently. You put it nicely when you said WoW is simply a blackhole of endless gear changing; this is what turned me off to the game. I found I invested hours upon hours (spread out over a long period of time; I was never a hardcore gamer) to achieve my status in that game and, by the time I reached a respectable plateau, the game came out with the next generation of "stuff."

WoW would really be a interesting topic of study when comparing it to how humans act in real life. I came to the conclusion that while players subconsciously believe there is an "end" to strive for...a certain peak they could eventually mount...this would never be the case. As new stuff came out, people would constantly strive higher and higher under the same delusion. I eventually became weary of this cycle; I decided that MMO's simply didn't seem to be for me anymore.

(That being said, I still believe WoW wins in the mmorpg category...I just simply gave on the genre itself.)

I've come to find that I get the most satisfaction out of single player rpg's. On the PC, I found that Knights of the Old Republic was the best rpg I ever played. I am attracted to well crafted storylines and believable, lovable characters. This game had it all. There was a certain depth to that game...and any decent single player rpg...that a MMO like WoW can never hope to match; but then MMO's can't really have an in depth storyline...it would defeat the purpose of writing your own story.

As far as console games are concerned, I grew up on the Legend of Zelda series. It is probably my favorite series game of all time. I would have to say Ocarina of Time was the best among these; the soundtrack was phenomenal (this game actually got me into classical music at a very young age) and the story was perfect.

My favorite strictly rpg console game has to be Chrono Trigger. I think this game defines the Form of rpg, so to speak.

[kowtaaia]

What is the best game?

The Master Game. :) http://www.livereal.com/spiritual_arena/spiritual_members/master_game.htm

[Trevor]

The Master Game. :) http://www.livereal.com/spiritual_arena/spiritual_members/master_game.htm

The title of this thread is "What make a good game?" not "What is the best game?".
Wouldn't your post fit better in the Religion or Bhuddist sections kowtaaia?
This is a thread about games: eg. Chess, Monopoly, Risk, etc.

[kowtaaia]

The title of this thread is "What make a good game?" not "What is the best game?".
Wouldn't your post fit better in the Religion or Bhuddist sections kowtaaia?
This is a thread about games: eg. Chess, Monopoly, Risk, etc.

Akamu asked what is the best game and he was told. :)

[Nix O'Neill]

Lately, my family has been absorbed by Catan and Ticket to Ride. Both of these share aspects that consider requisites for a "good game": never repetitive; easy to play, but hard to master; and typically only last an hour or so as it's lovely chaos here at the best of times.

Bonus: there are online versions for these as well as the board versions.

Play well and fair.

Nix

[Ron-the-Elder]

Lately, my family has been absorbed by Catan and Ticket to Ride. Both of these share aspects that consider requisites for a "good game": never repetitive; easy to play, but hard to master; and typically only last an hour or so as it's lovely chaos here at the best of times.

Bonus: there are online versions for these as well as the board versions.

Play well and fair.

Nix

Good games are about logic and good decision making. The onus is placed upon the player.

Good games teach good lessons: Take your time, think->plan->act, avoid rash, knee-jerk responses, reflect upon the consequences of your actions, know the capabilities and limitations of your opponent, and etc. e.g. (survival)

Good games make you physically fit by requiring that you get some exercise. e.g. (orienteering) Bad games cause injuries. e.g. (football, socker, boxing, extreme cage fighting), or make you lethargic and fat. ( bobbing for cream puffs)

Bad games teach bad lessons: e.g. Lying is beneficial (poker). It is often bad to teach that tactical thinking to best and destroy your enemy is good (chess, checkers, risk, ....). It is very bad to teach that more is always better (monopoly).

These are my thoughts.

[VossistArts]

Ive only played a couple rpgs in my life. One of them was the Ocarina of Time. Pretty cool. My memories of the time I played that game are like looking into a different life. I think good games allow you to forget yourself and merge with what is happening in it. I'm not sure if that kind of thing is good or bad but as far as making a good game, I think thats a big part of it.

[peterh]

it is an art and an opera it is not a game it is perhaps the only civilized form of fighting sport and it is NOT fake it does hurt and it is dangerous