Dramatic Elements

This document discusses elements that make experiences dramatic and engaging like games. It identifies that challenge, flow, clear goals and feedback, concentration, control and loss of self-consciousness where the experience is an end in itself can create engrossing play. Play can involve competition, exploration, collection, achievement, joking, creativity, leadership, storytelling and puzzles. Engagement increases with immersion and immediacy. An effective premise unifies the formal and dramatic elements of a game. Characters differ from avatars and player control varies from full will to full control. Story, world-building and dramatic arc are also discussed.