The Value Differences between Consumer Games and Social Games: Bridging the Gap

The Value Differences between Consumer Games and Social Games: Bridging the Gap

Introduction:
The world of gaming is diverse, with different genres catering to various audiences. Two popular types of games, consumer games and social games, have distinct differences in terms of their value and design. In this article, we will explore the contrasting aspects of these games and delve into the unique challenges faced by game designers in each category. We will also examine a study that highlights the effectiveness of learning by teaching, a strategy that can be applied to both game development and education.

1. The Gap between Consumer Games and Social Games:
   When we compare consumer games and social games from the perspective of consumers, we can identify three significant gaps:

1.1 Business Scope and Game Design:
Consumer games involve a broader business scope that influences game design decisions. On the other hand, social games primarily focus on attracting and engaging users, with an emphasis on monetization through in-game purchases.

1.2 Alpha Games and Game Design:
Alpha games, which prioritize achieving top positions within a group, create a sense of pleasure through the release of dopamine and adrenaline. This state of achievement is rooted in human psychology, as being at the top of a social hierarchy triggers the release of these neurotransmitters, leading to increased confidence and decision-making abilities.

1.3 Quality at Release:
Social games often prioritize rapid releases, resulting in a lower initial quality compared to consumer games. Conversely, consumer games invest more time and resources into ensuring a higher quality at the time of release, with a focus on delivering an optimal gaming experience.

2. The Clash of Alpha and Flow States:
   The alpha state, characterized by being a leader and making optimized decisions, clashes with the flow state in gaming. While social games aim to gather and entertain users, with a focus on guiding beginners to become intermediate or advanced players, alpha games revolve around optimizing decision-making and confidence.

2.1 The Integration of Alpha Games and Freemium Models:
When alpha games combine with the freemium monetization model, it often results in a "PayToWin" situation, where players who spend money gain a significant advantage. Game designers must strike a balance between creating an enjoyable experience for both alpha and flow state players while incentivizing in-game purchases.

2.2 The Motivation of Social Game Directors and Teams:
Social game directors and teams are motivated by the business aspect of their games. If a social game fails to generate revenue, it becomes unsustainable, leading to a halt in events, updates, and eventually, the discontinuation of the game's service.

3. Learning by Teaching: An Effective Strategy:
   A recent study has shown that teaching others what we have learned is an incredibly effective learning strategy. Students who spend time teaching the material they have learned demonstrate better understanding and knowledge retention compared to those who simply restudy the same content.

3.1 Internalizing the Material:
The study emphasizes the importance of internalizing the material before presenting it to an audience. Rather than relying solely on study notes during the teaching process, students and tutors should internalize the content to ensure better learning and retention.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, consumer games and social games have distinct differences in terms of their business scope, game design, release quality, and player motivations. The clash between the alpha and flow states poses unique challenges for game designers. Additionally, the study on learning by teaching highlights the effectiveness of this strategy for both game development and education.

Actionable Advice:

1. For game designers working on social games, prioritize creating engaging experiences that guide beginners to become intermediate or advanced players while considering the monetization aspect.
2. Incorporate elements of the alpha state in consumer games to provide players with a sense of achievement and optimize decision-making abilities.
3. Implement the learning-by-teaching strategy in both game development and education to enhance understanding and knowledge retention.

By understanding and addressing these differences and incorporating effective learning strategies, game developers can create engaging and successful games that cater to a wide range of players.