Originality

Originality is always talked about as a must have in game design, but it’s rather depressing how many people practice such a thing. Having an original concept is probably the second most important aspect in game design, the first being the game’s fun factor. Nobody wants to play a game that’s no fun, just as nobody wants to play a game they played a few weeks ago, just with different graphics. I must admit I’m disappointed with many current releases, with so much room to combine game ideas, or even create something completely new, there’s really no excuse for it other than a quick way to make cash.

It’s the creative minds that have stood the test of time, that’s why humans stand at the top of the food chain. Copying what’s already been done isn’t what makes us great, coming up with new original concepts is. Game design is no different, especially flash games. You can spend 60 hours trying to recreate something that’s already been done, and only make half the money you could make with an original concept that only takes you 20 hours to complete, granted it’s fun. If it’s new, it’s likely intriguing, if it’s intriguing, you have players hooked, if players are hooked, you win. This doesn’t mean you should create something completely new and bizarre, it simply means you should get creative with what you’ve already seen done, mix some core concepts, make up a new one, combine a rhythm game with something nobody would think possible, if done right, it’s a gold mine.

Aside from making your game a huge success, there are many reasons to be original and stay away from basically copying what’s already been done and adding a few features. Take a look at some of the biggest games out right now, we’ll use Sonny and The Last Stand for this example. Both of these games have two main things in common, they both are incredibly successful, and they both have zombies. If you make a game that has zombies in it, and it’s even remotely close to either of these games, you’re ratings are going to be crushed by the public unless your game is of higher quality. It’s dangerous to try and 1-up something that’s already done so well. If you’re going to make a zombie game, you best be doing a better job than those games, otherwise you’ll feel the wrath of the public. If you’re going to make a platformer where you collect coins and go down something, it better be more fun than Mario, because weather you like it or not, that’s what you’re going to be compared to.

An original concept is not only more rewarding when recieving public feedback, it’s just going to make your more successful overall. It’s a better feeling of accomplishment to have people say “Brilliant concept” than it is for them to say “Great game” when you’ve just coppied someone elses work and made it slightly better at best. That’s not to say you can’t copy a game and improve upon it, I’m simply saying whichever way you look at it, originality will come through more successful in the end. There’s no reason to fight against other games when you can simply stand by their side in greatness, don’t fight an uphill battle when you can cruise down the road of originality.

Unlock

It seems that flash games are always evolving. If it’s not better graphics, it’s unique game-play mechanics. The newest form of evolution in flash games is the addition of achievements. In addition to achievements hitting flash games, many flash sites have taken achievements to the next level by integrating them into the sites themselves.

It’s no mystery that replay value is a huge factor in game design. Game designers are constantly trying to make their games fun enough to have players stick around for another play or two. It appears that a new formula has risen to aide developers in this process, one that RPG’s have been using since the dawn of their creation, the addiction of having more power. Let’s face it, despite how great some classic RPG’s are, and even some modern games such as WoW or Final Fantasy, we all find ourselves mashing a button for hours simply to raise a few numbers, unlock a move every so often, and repeat until we get bored and move on to the next game. I’ve titled this “The Curse of the Numbers”. Gaining achievements in games may seem like something new, but it all boils down to that same desire within our brains that keeps us mashing a button to reach the next level.

Regardless of the simplicity behind this formula, it still packs tremendous power, so much in fact, that major flash sites such as Kongregate are built off of them. If you’ve ever heard of Kongregate you’re well aware they have many games that offer special achievements only found on their site. It may sound like a simple addition, but it’s quickly risen Kongregate to be among the top flash portals on the net and that’s no small accomplishment. It’s so effective in fact, that older flash portals such as Newgrounds are making additions to incorporate such features, and they’ve been successful since before Kongregate was even thought of.

All in all it’s a very simple concept, however it’s undeniably, increadibly effective. If you’ve got a great game that needs something to top it off, adding in achievements is surely no wrong way to go. Many games using achievemnt systems have seen a great boost in scores despite their simplicity in comparison to some larger titles, some good examples of these games are Amorphous+ and Cell Warfare. Weather ot not this is the next big move in flash game evolution can’t be said for sure, but if the big guys such as Newgrounds and Kongregate are in on it, so am I.