85. My Theory Of Fun

Raph Koster, a game designer, wrote an excellent book titled A Theory of Fun for Game Design. It explores the idea of fun in games and its importance in game design. I have been thinking about games, more generally what fun is and what makes things fun. Perplexity.AI recommended the book to me. I found a copy online and read it in one sitting. I then bought a hard copy to read again. That is how good it is. The best part of the book is that it encouraged me (as well as Raph's talks at GDC) to create my personal theory of fun. This post is about that.

I have been thinking about it for over a week and had a breakthrough this morning. My cognitive behavioral model is based on the Search Light Theory Of The Mind by Karl Popper. It says that hypotheses guide our observations. In other words, we have preconceived ideas first before we experience sensory data. In addition to observation, I think we have a feedback mechanism which is our feelings, and a behavioral component which includes the decision to make observations or create new hypotheses. The order can vary except that we always begin with conjectures.

Because our minds always begin with conjectures then we all must have some theory of fun. It may not be known but it is there. In this theory, people have differing attitudes towards the process of creating new ideas and exploring them. Some people find the encouragement to create and test new conjectures stimulating and enjoyable, viewing it as a positive and fun activity. Others might find this process challenging or unappealing, thus viewing it as less enjoyable or even unpleasant. So there is a relationship between experiencing fun and the encouragement to make conjectures over time.

In highly strategic games one is encouraged to make more conjectures over time in several ways. There are rewards for correct guesses reinforcing the process of making conjectures or comeback mechanics for losing players potentially encouraging the formation of different conjectures. Whereas with games that employ repetitive mechanics like slot machines or even playing with fidget spinners the lack of the conjectural aspect makes it relaxing especially in the context of their lives. In both cases games allow them to escape daily life offering reliable fun.

My general theory of fun emphasizes that the way individuals perceive and engage with the process of generating new ideas is a key component of their overall theory of fun. This may imply the following: If you want to make a game or activity more interesting or stimulating create more ways to encourage the creation of conjectures. If you want to create a game or make an activity more relaxing reduce the conjectural aspect and reward them for successful repetition. Both approaches reinforce the idea "do more feel better".

I don't think I have properly figured fun out generally but for myself, I understand why I enjoy the things I do and why I don't enjoy some activities. For me the encouragement to make new ideas is important. That is probably why I enjoy writing this blog.

What is your theory of fun?