Last week, I teased that this week's column would discuss Champions Online's energy mechanics. That, however, is only half of it. This week, we're going to discuss energy mechanics in general, player perception of resources, and the core central idea key to all video games: pushing buttons is fun.

The actual concept isn't hard to explain. Doing things in a video game is entertaining and not doing things is boring. This is a simple, fundamental concept that anyone can understand. Resource mechanics like mana, energy, or Vespene gas limit the things we can do before those resources have to be replenished. Running out isn't fun, so we reduce our resource use or maximize our resource returns.

The issue of CO's dreaded energy mechanics is only partially the developers' fault. The rest lies with us.

Continue reading Behind the Mask: Pushing buttons is fun

Behind the Mask: Pushing buttons is fun originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments