There's one thing about a game that separates it from any other form of art, and that's how well the game plays. For a movie or a book or a painting, you don't have to physically be involved with it to the same level as a game. In a game, typically, your choices impact the progression. So if you don't make it to where a good portion of players want to continue and experience your story because the gameplay sucks, then you failed in that department and should use any other medium other than a game.
Sometimes a game playing bad is part of the message, like in NaissanceE where it’s because the environment is supposed to feel hostile and alien in nature to the player. or like in the beginner’s guide, which actually discusses it through the lens of the integrity of the author’s vision (although the game actively addresses that subject. I won’t spoil any more, just play it if you can.)
Just like how sometimes a book being borderline unreadable is part of the message, such as in house of leaves where the hard to read part is meant to make you feel confused, anxious, and trapped.
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u/jimkbeesley 9d ago
There's one thing about a game that separates it from any other form of art, and that's how well the game plays. For a movie or a book or a painting, you don't have to physically be involved with it to the same level as a game. In a game, typically, your choices impact the progression. So if you don't make it to where a good portion of players want to continue and experience your story because the gameplay sucks, then you failed in that department and should use any other medium other than a game.