You will optimize the fun out of the game

During a game design class, my teacher said,

“Given the chance, the player will optimize the fun out of the game.”

I don’t remember the other words of wisdom from that lesson, but this one stuck with me.

Imagine a game with combat. There’s a gun and variety of moves, the most fun way to play would be to bounce between angry slimes and thugs fluidly and dodge their incoming attacks. But if the player discovers that the best way to play is to stand in a corner and spam one attack over and over, they wouldn’t bother doing anything else anymore. The fun actions would be wasted effort, so they would optimize as much of it as possible out.

How could a game designer stop this from happening?

One way would be to make the player run out of ammunition, then they need to move around and collect more ammo to fend off the baddies, the problem is at least partially solved.

But the reason this advice stuck with me wasn’t just because it was applicable to game design. It applies to real life behavior as well.

When I feel bored, I have a tendency to light up one of my many screens - Even if I’m not actually having all that much fun every time, it’s at least an easy way to make the hours fly by. It’s the same idea as standing in a corner and fending off enemies. It’s the most effective way.

In a game, the designer could find a way to kill the player if they camp in a corner. They could introduce an enemy with a ranged attack, or lure them out using a treat. The designer can even kill the player and they will learn by the next round. The problem is that by the time I’m dead in real life, it will be too late, I don’t get another chance to learn.

All I can do is keep my own score and get out of that corner.