What is Fun?


Drawing on Garneau’s work, there are 14 forms of classifiable fun… and many related questions. These should be combined and re-combined in surprising combinations to improve gameplay. Here’s the synopsis:


Beauty
"That which pleases the senses."

Immersion
"Going into a space different from one's usual environment by physical means or through imagination."

Intellectual Problem Solving
"Finding solutions to situations that require thought."

Competition
"An activity where the goal is to show one's superiority."

Social Interaction
"Doing things with others."

Comedy
"Things that make one want to laugh."

Thrill of Danger
“Exhilaration coming from a dangerous activity."

Physical Activity
"Activities requiring intense physical movements."

Love
"Strong affection toward somebody."

Creation
"To make exist that which didn't."

Power
"Capacity of having a strong effect on others, of acting with strength." There is an epic quality to this idea… something unsettling lying in the bones.

Discovery
"Finding something that wasn't known before."

Advancement
"Progression in and completion of an activity."

Application of an Ability
"Using one's physical abilities under challenging circumstances."