Replay value... a how to guide.

The replay value of games is an important aspect of many games. For one, they cost a good $100 each and unless they are a skyrim sized epic you want to get that bang out of your buck by giving it another go. Thanks to game writer and designer of 'I fell in love with (The Majesty of Colours)' Gregory Weir (blogs under the name Ludus Novus) here is a convenient list of ways to increase replay value... and for those of you opposed to hyperlinks here is my version of it:

1. Make it easy for players to replay the game or aspects that they enjoyed. This can be done through having skip-able cut scenes or a level selection menu. This is awesome because it allows you to just straight into the action when you already know the story or avoid training levels or the parts you just didn't enjoy (as in every gold nugget of a game there are levels of turds).

2. Allow players to experience with the same material in a different way. This could be done in tons of different ways, for example, let them create their own levels, play it co-op or the more obvious way have a difficulty system. The first time they play it on easy, the next on medium and the next on hard, that is a replay value of three! Congrats you just saved $200.

3. The final way Weir talks about increasing replay value is by allowing engagement with the game in a different way. This can be done by adding a kill counter, a leader board, time goals for completing levels, star ratings, collectables... many possible ways, but the most common in modern games: Achievements or Trophies. One condition of the achievements is though that it must be achievements which are not given by simply completing the story mode.

When I was much younger and used to play games on the Nintendo 64, we called completing a game "winning it" and collecting every weapon, character and upgrade "Clocking it"... who knew we were just taking advantage of the replay value...

On a related topic! In tutorial on Friday we were talking about which games we were writing on and it was mentioned that 'But that was [Yesterday]' had multiple endings... just want to confirm that it does and that it is dependent on time of day. There is a clue in game about what time you are meant to play to get a specific ending if want to see the other endings but I will wait a few days before posting it here as I hate spoilers! Just be prepared that 'But that was [Yesterday]' has no replay value...

Hugh

EDIT: Here is the clue.