Meta-games are the Smell-O-Vision of videogames. The central idea that drives them is a potential next-level of interaction for games that transcends the traditional forms. Proponents of meta-games think that games can be cracked open and woven into daily life. In so doing, games become socially legitimate as an activity, enhancing life in many small and hidden ways, and joy spreads.
The problem is that meta-games don’t scale. They tend to have game dynamics that the play brain either figures out an optimal strategy for very quickly, or not at all, and so finds its maximum mastery very fast. Therefore most meta-games tend to only attract small, but very loyal, audiences who believe in the spirit of the game.
Examples of meta-games include virtual worlds, alternate reality games, augmented reality games, live action roleplaying games and gamification.
Related Topics
- Alternate Reality Game
- Augmented Reality Game
- Board Game
- Card Game
- Casual Game
- Console Game
- Game
- Handheld Game
- Hardcore Game
- Indie Game
- Live Action Roleplaying Game
- Local Game
- Massive Multiplayer Game
- Mobile Game
- Music Game
- Open Web Game
- PC Game
- Pen and Paper Roleplaying Game
- Persuasive Game
- Roleplaying Game
- Serious Game
- Skill Game
- Social Game
- Strategy Game
- Videogame
