What makes a great game?

This is a mindmap I created to start to try to answer that question.

Its aimed more for the casual game developer, I use it as a loose framework for planning the casual game development and deployment cycle.

It also shows all the additional considerations that need to be thought through when creating a game.

What makes a great game

• Story
  • Gives Context
  • Immersive
• Appeal
  • Pick up and play
  • Broad age range
  • Broad appeal
  • Quick Fix
    • Short Levels
    • Gameplay Bursts
• Design
  • Interface / Experience
    • Sensible navigation
    • Pause / Resume
    • Sound Controls
  • Graphics
    • Memorable Characters
  • Theme
  • Polished
• Sound
  • Music creates atmosphere
  • Sound Effects
    • Non repetitive
    • Unique
    • Suited to the game type
• Marketing
  • Blogs
    • Review Blogs
    • Developer Blogs
  • Building Hype
    • Pre release
    • Promotional
    • Videos
  • Promotional
    • Gameplay Video
    • Press Release
    • Screenshots
    • Cheat codes / Easter eggs
  • Social
    • Rewards
    • Easily Shared
      • Facebook
      • Twitter
  • Community
  • Publisher
• Gameplay
  • Originality
  • Fun
    • Addictive
      • Evolving levels
      • New Challenges
      • Trickier puzzles
      • Curiosity
      • Surprises
    • Fair
      • Player can win
    • Psychology
      • Rewards
      • Overcoming Challenges
      • Risk & Reward
      • Exploration
    • Challenge
      • Mastery
  • Intuitive
    • Self explanatory Gameplay
      • Can be explained without words
    • Natural Controls
  • Mechanic
    • Makes sense
    • Learning
    • Role Play
    • Physics
  • Character
    • Upgrades
    • Skills
      • Take Time to master
      • Need to keep learning to progress
    • Items / Accessories
    • Avatars
  • Competition
    • Against friends
      • Social Networks
    • Global
    • Challenges
    • Betting
• Updates
  • More characters
  • New Levels
  • Bug fixes
  • New Gameplay
  • Themes
• Feedback
  • Bug Reporting
  • Praise
  • Criticisms
• Types of Game
  • Action
  • Action-Adventure
  • Arcade
  • Adventure
  • MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games )
  • Music
  • Puzzle
  • Role-Playing Games
  • Simulation
  • Sports
  • Strategy
  • Gamer Profiles
    • Socializer
    • Conqueror
    • Achiever
    • Mastermind
    • Seeker
    • Daredevil
    • Solver
    • Survivor
• Rewards
  • Unlockable items
  • Leaderboards
  • Achievements
  • Rank and Status
  • Power
  • Money

Online Table Soccer game. Pick your favourite English Premiere League team, and take it to the table soccer championship! Left and right arrow keys to move. Hold Space for turbo kicks! This is an old game that I created in flash but still one of my most popular.