Quest
Company
Documents about Quest
Extra Credits5 min
Quest Design - I: Why Many MMOs Rely on Repetitive Grind Quests - Extra Credits
Modern massively multiplayer online (MMO) games frequently rely on a repetitive cycle of five core quest types: kill, fetch, FedEx, collect, and escort.
- Modern MMO quest design relies on a repetitive cycle of five core tasks—kill, fetch, FedEx, collect, and escort—which function primarily as navigational tools rather than engaging experiences.
- The current industry standard, popularized by World of Warcraft, prioritizes efficiency and standardized UI markers over the discovery-based exploration found in earlier titles like EverQuest.
- By treating quests as mechanical conduits for leveling and rewards, developers often reduce the player journey to a repetitive treadmill that lacks intrinsic enjoyment.
Extra CreditsFeb 2014
Extra Credits6 min
Games You Might Not Have Tried: Digital Collectable Games - Find New Games - Extra Credits
This overview explores the landscape of digital collectible games on mobile and tablet platforms, focusing on titles that demonstrate innovative ways to integrate collectibility into various gameplay genres.
- Digital collectible games are successfully evolving beyond traditional card-based mechanics by integrating collectibility into diverse genres including tower defense, match-three puzzles, trivia, and real-time strategy.
- Developers are leveraging digital-only platforms to create combat structures and mechanics, such as those seen in Tyrant Unleashed, that would be physically impractical or impossible to replicate in a traditional trading card game format.
- Hybrid gameplay models are becoming a standard design strategy, exemplified by titles like Puzzle & Dragons and Puzzle Trooper, which utilize collectible monster systems to drive engagement in match-three puzzle loops.
Extra CreditsJan 2014
Extra Credits5 min
Combining Genres - How to Pick the Right Design Mechanics For Your Game - Extra Credits
Successful genre integration in game design requires a disciplined focus on the core player experience rather than the arbitrary combination of disparate mechanics.
- Successful genre blending must be driven by a clear, core emotional or aesthetic goal rather than personal preference or market trends.
- Designers should use secondary genres to fill functional gaps or address specific deficiencies within the primary gameplay loop.
- Every borrowed mechanic must be evaluated for its ability to reinforce the game's central purpose; otherwise, it risks creating a disjointed experience.
Extra CreditsDec 2012