Games time children

Today's assignment had us playing a variety of games we all brought in. Their were some expected game like candy land and trouble and some unexpected ones like an airplane themes chess-like game and tarot cards. The class revolved around 2 different games trying out new games with new people. I realized the goal was deeper then just playing with people, but it was to see what made a game an effective game. The attributes and ideas that cause a game to be successful and remembered. Several of the more popular games were played over chess and dominoes, seeing as more people were looking to have fun with the games rather then actually think or play a strategy based game. The successful games had good presentation and the ideas they were based on were attractive to the player. The game, aside form being designed to look attractive and enjoyable, also had to present the idea in a clear and coherent manner. The game has to be playable as well as attractive. I think the most important part of the game is the emotional response you get form it, our professor wrote some on the board after we played. The emotional impact is what dictates a good game, whether the fear and frustration from monopoly or the joy and competitiveness from Catch-a-phrase. Games have to have a good emotional impact to influence people to play them more then once.