Do Games Need to be Fun?

"David Cage, who already has a reputation for bashing his own groundbreaking game, Heavy Rain, went on the record saying that he does not plan on making his next game fun. Beyond: Two Souls was first shown at E3 2012 and has been garnering attention from the press and gamers alike because of its impressive graphical presentation and moving storyline (at least, as far as its commercials and previews have shown). "

[n4f]

um... yes

[finbars75]

Hilarious...Do games need to be fun.Lets think about where he is trying to go with this one.lol

[blitz0623]

It depends on how you define 'fun'. Heavy Rain is 'fun' in a different kind of way, and when David Cage he doesn't plan on making his next game fun, I'm sure it'll be similar to Heavy Rain.

Better term would be enjoyable.

[GoldenAge]

I agree with blitz. Enjoyable is a much more appropriate word. I mean to me Fun is crazy over the top things along the likes of Saints Row the Third or God of War, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy games like Flower and Journey I just classify them differently, something along the likes of calming.

Demon's Souls is another example, I don't think dying repeatedly is something one would call fun I've seen many people curse at the level design on the Maneater boss fight but they keep coming back because of the challenging aspect of the game makes it enjoyable.

[MidnytRain]

Gah, I hate fun games. They're the worst.

[kneon]

Well fun games aren't the worst, but they are seldom the best. Just as in movies, music and literature the best are seldom fun as most people would define fun. They are more likely to be thought provoking, engaging or even disturbing.

[yog-sothot]

I think it depends on the definition of fun...

At least, I'd say games need to be engaging in a way or the other. It can be challenge, intellectual satisfaction, emotion, story or simple, direct, fun.

Different games for different kind of entertainment. That's what so good about games, they can deliver many things.

[vikingland1]

Well said bubble for you.

[Xperia_ion]

Fun is making me feel good on the money I spent.

[Knightofelemia]

If video games are not fun then why the hell play them then. All developers need to do is just produce some new ideas Instead of over milking franchises by pumping out sequals.

[TopDudeMan]

"Major titles like Heavy Rain, Shadow of the Colossus, and Final Fantasy X ... Experiencing the game wasn’t always fun"

Uhh, yeah they were. They were very fun. If they weren't fun, I wouldn't have played them to the end.

[Xperia_ion]

High five!!

[ChunkyLover53]

Why the heck else would someone play a video game if not to have fun?
I play strictly for fun, if I stop having fun, I stop playing the game, its as simple as that. That might not be how everyone feels, but its how I feel.

[GaryOak]

No,games should never be fun.In fact,next gen controllers need to be wrapped in razor wire.Razor wire on fire.The fires of hell.From hell.

[schlanz]

"Fun" is a pretty vague concept.

Bottom line is games need to be enjoyable. I don't think that equates to "fun" necessarily. I definitely think that is the wrong word to describe Heavy Rain for example. Yet, Heavy Rain is certainly an enjoyable experience.

[opinska]

dumbass article... Won't even answer this...>_>

[DigitalRaptor]

Lol. This is a redundant copypasta article that was already discussed on N4G about a week ago.
http://n4g.com/news/1049626...

Read my permalinked comment at the link above.

I'll sum it up if you cba clicking through. Essentially, some films aren't "fun" to watch, but they are compelling pieces of cinema like Seven Pounds and Schindler's List. The same thing for games. Is it fun to help teach your son to throw a boomerang or put him to bed in Heavy Rain? Perhaps not for a lot of people, but it forms a part of the experience.

[FCOLitsjustagame]

"Do Games Need to be Fun?"
Only if you care about people buying your "game".

And just because a game may be challenging doesnt mean its not fun. Some people have fun with challenge. Some people have fun solving complex math equations. Some people have fun burning down houses.......ok bad example...... But still people play games to have fun. What one defines as fun is a matter of opinion. However, if you want to sell the maximum number of games you should make it fun for the maximum number of people. If on the other hand you just want to make a game you want to make and are not concerned with how much it sells, then by all means make a game that you don't think most people will find "fun". Let me know how it works out.