Quantifying game design

There is at present a conspicuous need for formal evaluative methods which designers of video and computer games can use in order better to understand the elusive factors which lead to good gameplay mechanics. This paper presents the results of an empirical study which has been used to establish a practical quantitative procedure for analysing and comparing certain gameplay characteristics of rally (driving) games, and thus of determining objectively characteristics which are typical of such games at various levels of quality and type. The information offered can be used by games developers as pointers to building into their products a superior gameplay which potentially makes for better reputations and increased sales.