Angel's Theory of Fun

In the last weeks of analysis of interesting games and game design I've come to a conclusion about games -- Games are fun because they make you learn. Learning is fun. This conclusion may surprise folks. Because of phrases like "about fun and games" the entire genre has not be taken seriously. In my community learning is not associated with games and in the gaming community games are not associate with learning. But Fundamentally, learning is what games are all about. A game done right teaches you to learn without you realizing. You are not memorizing anything, forcing your little synapses to mnemonic pushups just to figure something out. Learning as usual is boring and games created by educators are usually dull.

Raph Koster in his book a Theory of Fun dissescts the issue of why games a fun. His not just an academic poser, being a c-level director at Nintendo and having worked in the game industry for years, he's come up with an intersting and credible conclusion - Games are fun because they make you learn patterns. Your brain likes patterns, therefore games are like little sweets for the brain. In his keynote speech at the GDC in San Francisco he likens games to little "tic tacs" for the brain.

Games are fun because building patterns is fun. The brain gives positive feedback on successfully learning a pattern
Brain is constantly trying to match patterns by chunking. If the brain encounters noise it gives up. If it sees something it knows it doesnt process. Games are like little patterns.

Not only does Koster support the theory that games are fun because they make you learn, but practical experience does also. Review any of my game reviews about Urbz, Second life, and you'll find a reoccuring theme - learning. Games are fun because they present you challenges which you overcome and are not only reinforced within game by points and prizes, but by an evolutionary teaching device - your brain.