All game developers want to design and create games that are fun to play. But the vast majority of games deliver a ‘fun game’ by inviting the player to overcome some kind of challenge.

Whether to find the red key to get through the red door or shoot everything on screen. Most players expect that fun games to play are those that clearly lay down a challenge and provide the player with the tools to beat that challenge and progress with the game.

Challenging the Challenge

This idea of ‘challenge’ has come to dominate the development process where gameplay designers create levels and enemies that provide an ever increasing threat to the player-character. Their intent is that the gamer may rise to the challenge of defeating those threats and have fun while also feeling a sense of mastery and progression.

But over the years this obsession with ‘designing for the challenge’ has caused a lot of game developers to lose sight of their primary responsibility. To create fun games to play, not exclusively challenging games to play.

There are so many more options available to game developers than just simulated threat. Just take a moment to think about all the ways that it is possible for humans to have fun.

It’s Fun Game Play Time!

We have fun through creative expression, through social interaction and through playful experimentation. Fun games can rely on ideas like these just as easily as they can on defeating an enemy.

The FuturLab team has spent the last 16 years searching for new ways to design fun experiences for our players. The development process that we have adopted for PowerWash Simulator has reminded us that it is possible for players to have fun and game at the same time without being under a near constant pressure to survive or to win.

PowerWash Simulator is a stress-free, relaxing and satisfying game. One of those fun games to play that make players feel like they aren’t being tested or judged. Just allowed to be themselves in an environment that needs a bit of tender love and care… delivered at 2,800 pounds per square inch.

Want to know more about the way that the FuturLab team approaches the concepting and development of its games? Take a look at this Christmas tree – it all makes perfect sense when you really think about it.

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