One way of making games (that some people will, perhaps, like)

Well designed games have interesting systems that are clearly communicated to the player.

Well designed games have neat causes and consequences that can be manipulated by the player.

Well told stories have none of that.

There's no need to be limited by the rules of good game design.

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Videogames don't need to be designed for immersion.

Videogames don't need to be designed for prolonged play.

Videogames don't need to be designed for fandom.

Videogames don't need to be designed to compete against physically moving in enjoyable physical surroundings (AKA "doing stuff in real life").

✤

Books let you pause and think of what you've just read.

Movies don't let you pause and think of what you've just seen.

Videogames have the potential to be designed both ways, but in practice one of them is almost totally ignored.

Videogames can be designed less like movies and more like books.

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Of course, most of this has been said and done before.

With varying degrees of success.

It doesn't matter. Perseverance is be a virtue.

✤

This manifesto is not incompatible with other manifestos.

For Manifesto Jam 2022