[linda07]

Like you all souls out there I am an avid gamer…done it all, seen it all. Right from playing tetris, super mario, ping pong and other flash games online for free to massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) with anything and everything in between, I have been part of the story as a user.

Then I got the chance to become a developer - computer science degree (quite natural) and job with a software company, the works. This enlightened me to certain facts, like what made the blockbuster games, well blockbusters. I will share with you guys the essentials of a successful online game, played for free or otherwise. These have been a constant over the years and are likely to remain so. They are:

They should be fun

The basic principle which even the most scatterbrained developer would follow, but is often ignored during the zeal of getting the next level of technique. Don’t ever forget that people play games for one reason: to have fun!

The KISS principle

Not that ‘KISS’ silly. Just ‘Keep It Simple Stupid.’ So you are the next whiz kid on the block. Good for you! But for heaven’s sake don’t load people with complex features. Just give clean straight fun without the loops.

Smooth Controls

Even the blandest game can be fun, if controls are easy to master. On the other hand people won’t play the greatest game in the world out of frustration if they have to struggle with the controls. So take care.

Graphics and Sound

Make a good first impression. These are the first things a gamer encounters when he first logs in to play online. So make them attractive and relevant, but don’t go overboard.

Technically sound Structure

• Easy to use authoring interfaces.
• Detailed Help files, sample games, and demonstrations.
• No messy software downloads or installation requirements.
• Options to create games from your web browser.

[LanceD]

Lets not forget an easy to use player mute button. Once I saw how easy it was to mute 13 year old kids in Halo 3 I decided that every game should have the feature.