One of the most prevalent trends in the game industry at this time is crafting. The mechanic often involves combining two or more items together to make something new, often to the benefit of the player's end goals. Crafting creates an additional level of flexibility and control that the player can exert on the game world. When effectively executed, the sheer act of players creation can be a fun and engaging experience that gives players the independence to shape their own experiences.
Crafting in video games finds its roots in RPG games where players often need to focus on building up their own character and strengthening them for what lies ahead. For example, World of Warcraft tasks s to collect crafting materials for different armor, weapons, or quest items. The more players craft, the higher their crafting levels become, the more powerful tools the player can make. Many games nowadays, including the Marvel's Avengers, take inspiration from RPGs due to the flexibility these mechanics allot players. Since RPGs are all about putting the player into a fictitious character's shoes, games will use whatever means to help improve their level of immersion. Crafting creates a level of satisfaction, autonomy, and an additional level of control that can improve the gameplay experience.
It seems that the primary appeal of crafting systems is the idea of catharsis. Combining different objects and making something new appeals to everyone on a deep, personal level because it creates a sense of accomplishment. When a player creates something useful through their own skills in order to overcome an obstacle imposed on them, there's a level of excitement that gets introduced. Survival games dependent on these experiences to be successful. If a player uses their resources wisely, they can improve their chance of survival. Should they make a mistake, it's a quick game over. Games like Minecraft and Animal Crossing: New Horizons work to flatter players' problem-solving and intelligence capabilities. Crafting in games makes players feel resourceful and these positive associations will have people coming back to play again and again.
Crafting: The Biggest Trend In Video Games
In turn, many games nowadays try to replicate these feelings across a variety of genres. game's immersive qualities while keeping players engaged with a game's mechanics.
Ultimately, the trend of crafting in games stems from the simple fact that it's a successful mechanic. Minecraft is perhaps the first major title to shine a light on how successful crafting can be when executed correctly. When a game creates an effective mechanic that is well liked throughout the gaming community, other developers will do what they can to replicate the sensation in their own titles. While crafting is not always effectively implemented, it nevertheless permeates most major AAA titles out there. Crafting grants players the ability to shape and control their interactions within the game space, making it feel as if the 's decisions actually have weight to them.
Crafting is designed to make players feel confident in their own decisions, providing a level of control and autonomy in an otherwise rigid game space. The mechanic introduces a whole new level of strategy to a game, whether or not the act of crafting itself is central to the overall experience. When crafting is effectively integrated, it can provide an additional level of immersion that creates a level of satisfaction and accomplishment few other mechanics can replicate.
