Social Game Design
The Objectives of Social Game Design Social games can be defined by three implicit objectives, which I will first list as mandates to the designer, then cover in more detail. Build a persistent society -- promote cooperation
“I’m confident it will be nothing less than earth-shattering,” Chris Metzen, Blizzard’s vice president of development, said as he unveiled the Cataclysm trailer Friday at BlizzCon, the company’s annual fan convention held at the Anaheim Convention Center. “It will very literally change the world of Azeroth as you know it.”
Based on Warcraft lore, the new expansion shows the game world transformed by a geological rift and strife between the game’s factions.
“There can be no peace when the world itself is devoured by rage,” the trailer proclaimed. “The world will never be the same.”
The trailer, which comes after much speculation following Blizzard’s trademarking of the Cataclysm name, also depicted the churning Maelstrom between the two continents, the Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor, while various zones in the game were shown being destroyed and covered in lava. Classic zones are permanently changed.
Beyond just allowing players to leave messages and compare scores, the goal of a social game should be to build a society. To achieve this, interdependence needs to exist; a true virtual society will only arise from a game environment where players can't fully succeed without the help of others. Maintain a consistent sense of discovery -- promote user advancement and expression.
