The elements of Game Design? Gameplay

What exactly is this thing? Gameplay.
In my view this is what the very basis of what a game is and is the one thing I myself base my last oppinion of a game on.
What I mean is that when I decide wether or not I like a game I base my final view on how good the gameplay actually is.
I would describe Gameplay as an interaction between the player and the computer. To more simply explain I would say that for a game to have good gameplay it must be enjoyable and be fun to play.
Games that use alot of new forms of interaction are found to be more fun than that of one that uses a more standard approach. For example the Wii or the Ps2's eye toy uses a new kind of interaction where as you are to use their body or movement of the body to succeed. This coupled together with a visually exciting game, people can have a more enjoyable experience, showing that that game must have a good gameplay.
In some ways peoples perception of gameplay effects the way games are made dramatically, that it is that they believe it is something that decides how you have to play, when in fact in my oppinion this in turn is true but if you were to give a freedom of choice you are left feeling you have control. Even though quite obviously you dont, but with these choices the interaction can be different each time.
People believe that gameplay is just a "random convergence of several interacting factors". When I think, that all these interactions are what forms the very function of what a game is. A game is supposed to be fun and should it fail to allow you to have fun then you would not play it and it would then never of been made.
So in that reasoning gameplay is extremly important as without gameplay games would never exsist.
"Game mechanics"are what people consider to make up what we refer as gameplay. With this in turn I would like to finish by saying that my favourite form of gameplay is that of online interaction with other actual players across the world, such as this game below called Counter Strike.

Till next time cya!

The elements of Game Design ? Story and Character

When I was discussing storylines in games I mentioned how important it was to have the story involve you in the game and give you a reason for your actions. Also how it allows you to find the characters more believable and even may let you believe you are these people.
But it is not only the story that makes these characters believable it is also the way the character was designed. In that I mean that they are purposely made to fit with the story.
-They have to act in a certain manner.
-Look a certain way.
-Sound correct in respect to their appearance.
In my opinion it is most obvious when a voice doesn’t match the character. In films one of the most important things they have to consider in the developing stage is character voices. So it is with games as well.
I think as we are getting more and more advanced games with A.I that can interact with you as the story unfolds. All we need is a way of having you live out the life of your favorite person. Come on virtual reality machines, the answer lies with you.
Films such as Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, have got to be very careful with their casting of character voices as they were the first to ever try using photorealistic CGI humans. So had they made a wrong choice their mistake would be easily realized.
I think that if I was to choose a character I found most appealing, I would say Gune from the film Titan A.E.
Gune is a strange looking little alien that has the job of navigating the ship through space and in his spare time create inventions he doesn’t know the use of.
I especially think that I like this character for his voice, provided by John Leguizamo who also played Luigi in the film Mario Brothers along side Bob Hoskins as Mario.
John’s talent alone came up with the voice for Gune as he asked the director if he could try this unusual voice he imagined Gune to have.
I’m glad he did as well as it gave Gune the eccentric characteristics I have come to know and love.
When I think of my favorite storyline I am always torn between two particular ones.
The first is a film called The Fifth Element set in futuristic earth and the other is a game, yes you guessed it, FFVII.
I have thought about what it is that appeals to me about them so much and I can only think of one thing. I get involved in the characters so much I want to experience their actual lives.
In both the main characters storylines they are destined to save the world and go on a great journey to do so. It is this that leaves me waiting for a way of me to for fill this dream, but until then or some pre destined miracle I will carry as normal.
I think that to have the perfect film or game it takes the right amount of each element. For me to like something it just needs to have, a futuristic theme set in space with lots of explosions. I think I am a bit of sucker for action as well.
So it would seem that I am doing the right type of art style guide for Joel as I am doing a futuristic space adventure called Outlaw Universe©.
Well till next time cya.