The Ultimate SOMA Discussion Thread

[Kreekakon]

Pinchbeck is the one who talks about not designing his game for fun, in relation to his own studio and how they create games. This philosophy is probably the cause for machine for pigs disappointing so many people. However I cannot recall FG saying anything like that and it certainly doesn't reflect in their games. They've said their games are mainly designed to scare people, but nothing like 'this game is designed so that the player will not experience fun while playing.'

You sure about that?
http://frictionalgames.blogspot.tw/2012/...-tips.html

Do not care about fun
First of, despite what some might say, fun is a very specific word and leaves out many type of experiences. For instance very few people would call "Schindler's List" fun. Hence you should not use fun, unless you are specifically after creating a "fun time". A better word to use is "engaging" which can be used to describe the quality of anything depressing dramas and lighthearted comedies.
Second, what you want to care about are your high-level goals. The most vital part is that anything you add to the videogame serve these. If making them fun help this purpose, then by all means make them fun. But if you want the player to be part of a dark and disturbing journey, then fun is most likely not what you want to aim for.