Dramatic Elements

This was our second online lecture we have had so far in our class. Sadly, I missed it because of technological issues. However, I will briefly explained what I gained from it.

When I think of dramatic elements, I think about what are the key things that make up the best part in a video game. It just so happens that the following elements are essential when it comes to game development.

Challenge

In games, players have to experience some type of accomplishment. Players always feel good about themselves when they know they have completed something. Whether it'll be winning a race, gaining the most points, or finding a secret treasure, players will see it as a great accomplishment in a board game or a video game. The challenge has to be enjoyable as well. Challenges arise but only if it interests the targeted players will it truly be enjoyable. Challenge can also be determined based on the skill set of the players. If everyone gets the same amount of money at the end of a monopoly game, there will not be much room for enjoyment as well as accomplishment. The flow of the game will be predicted and boring. Players always enjoy a game the most when the ability of each character differs from everyone else.

Flow

Flow is the continuation of the game from the beginning to its end. It defines how clearly the player interacts with the game and vice verse. It's about the game giving out information such as goals, feedback, story, and rules, with clarity and understanding. Also, flow, is affected by challenge. If the challenge is low the flow of the game will run faster and more efficient. However, if the challenge is high the flow will be much more difficult.

Premise

Premise represents the things that make the game playable for the user. Things like the place, time, the protagonist, the antagonists, and a list of objectives are all examples of what the players will need to see in order to start playing the game.

Character

When you think of a character, you think about what the character looks like. You think about what they wear or how they look, speak, and most importantly, their strengths and their weaknesses. Character as a dramatic element, is the physical actions in the player. This is where drama is told through the actions of the players.

Story

Story describes what is going on at a particular time of the game. It lets the character know how or what to react to in a peculiar setting or situation. Story can also be the back story of the main character or even the antagonist. It just gives the player a sense of his or her whereabouts. You can also give players the chance to choose to develop their own story through game play.

Dramatic elements are just a way to enhance your game by including certain variables to make your game better to play as well as increase game play.