There are video games that everyone has heard of, and there are some that don’t benefit from the same popularity. But what are the qualities that mark the bridge between the two categories of video games? Many features make an online video great and attract the attention of a larger audience. Now, gaming is becoming the preferred hobby for many individuals who are trying new video games to experience the offerings of the gaming landscape.
Online games have improved greatly, which is why games have better visuals that don’t compare with what we had in the past. Moreover, games have also started to be created using blockchain technology, which brings more security to customers. Solana is among the most popular platforms for developers who want to make games using blockchain technology. Solana has great features for games, like a high throughput and better scalability compared with other blockchain platforms.
In this article, we will explore more of the top features that a video game should have to increase the chance of going mainstream. Keep reading to learn more.
Image source: Unsplash
Great visuals
Visuals capture players’ attention, which is why video games should focus on this feature. Game developers must do their best with graphics and visuals to catch the audience’s attention and foster a better sense of loyalty. Unfortunately, games with poor visuals have lower chances of attracting attention, which is why they can fail as projects.
This is even more important nowadays, as technology has evolved a lot. Now, games must meet the changing needs of customers who always want to have access to the best services and products. When video games first appeared, they were made up of blocky pixels, which are not that appealing nowadays when we compare them with more modern solutions.
In the 1990s, 3D graphics were launched, opening the door to many opportunities for developers who could finally create more realistic gaming worlds. Some of the popular games that presented the true power of visuals are Final Fantasy VII and Super Mario 64. Thanks to these improvements, the players’ experience improved even more.
Then, over the years, individuals could benefit even more from great graphics, thanks to advances in technology. Visuals have been enhanced to a great extent from the past, and now, there are plenty of games that create fantastic worlds where players can be immersed fantastically. And because we went through such great advancements in the evolution of graphics, it would be a pity that new games won’t leverage these benefits and use them to attract and retain players.
Gameplay
Gameplay is always an important feature that can make or break a video game. Gameplay is a feature that will always attract the attention of the audience and encourage them to stay or leave. In the beginning, online videos didn’t have great visuals, and they needed to focus on the gameplay, which is why they have captured the hearts of individuals worldwide. Many of these games are still remembered nowadays and represent the favorite games for some, especially since they have a lot of nostalgia associated with them and make people remember the good old times.
Additionally, there are some games with innovative visuals and improved graphics, but they are still not that popular because they lack great gameplay. In the majority of cases, gameplay is the heart of a game and will forever impact a player’s experience with a particular game. Gameplay refers to all the actions present in a game, which vary from exploring virtual worlds to beating enemies, solving mysteries, and so on.
Storytelling
Behind successful games, there is also very interesting storytelling, which will have a direct impact on player engagement. A game’s narrative can make individuals connect emotionally, and in this way, they will be more invested in playing a particular game. Storytelling is how a video game is presented to a broad audience and how things evolve regarding a character’s experience.
Storytelling can keep players stuck to their desktops as they wish to see how the narrative of a game evolves. In this way, they will do their best to improve constantly to unlock new levels and discover something new.
Player-driven storytelling will always have a plus over the others and increase the audience’s attention. The Witcher is a good example of this type of game, and storytelling is a popular reason why this game has benefited from that much popularity.
Sound
Sound is also a feature that can dictate the popularity of a video game. This happens because sound creates an immersive environment for players, which can improve their experience. Many types of sound can be present in video games, and all of them will create a better narrative that adds more interest. Video games have many actions, and it is important to hear them and enter into the atmosphere of a game.
For instance, in horror games, the one factor that makes players shiver is sound, and if you mute the sound, then you might not think at all that you are playing this type of game. This is why sound matters, and it will impact whether a game increases in popularity or not.
So, sound can lead to better player engagement and make a game more immersive, which is a feature that many individuals worldwide are looking for.
Conclusion
Many features make a video game popular and interesting, and in this article, we have explored a few of them. As the gaming industry now has hundreds of video games, it is important to try to be the best and offer players what they are looking for in a game. In this way, a video game improves player retention and can transform into a popular project that makes new waves in this space.