As time goes on, video game developers are putting a bigger focus on mini games. Mini games are a good way to add complexity and depth to a title while giving fans the chance to break away from the main story. With games like Yakuza 5 and The Witcher incorporating mini-games as a way to add to the story, it’s safe to say that extra features like this are the key to success when developing new titles.
Developers are Taking Inspiration from Classic Games
Games like Yakuza 5 include fishing mini-games, with rewards given to those who can catch fish of a particular species or every fish in the game. This helps to keep gameplay exciting while adding another layer of complexity to the main story. Player rewards are given to those who accomplish the feat, with rare items and expensive clothing being just a few examples.
Within the game, there’s also a digital ‘bingo card’ under the minigames tab. After selecting fishing as an option, you’ll see a list of every fish you’ve caught, with the aim being to fill out the lines on the card with specific sea creatures. Filling out the full card and catching every fish can be tricky, but it will result in you making progress toward completing the game 100%. There are also achievements for catching 5 fish. These bingo-style objectives, when completed, often give players the chance to obtain a rare in-game reward. If you enjoy playing live bingo games online, you’ll see how the game has taken inspiration from the traditional format. In live bingo, numbers are called, and the player crosses them off their bingo card in hopes of getting five numbers in a row.
In live bingo, you also have variants such as the Wheel of Fortune, where every time the number #4 is called, a wheel is spun, and more cash is added to the cash pot. Games like Gran Turismo also use features like this, as you are given a chance to spin the wheel after completing a race or event. The result is usually a random car or upgrade, again showing how video games take inspiration from classic formats to add to the complexity of a game. Fans have even created wheel spins that decide the track you should race on next, showing how useful things like this can be.
Other Examples of Mini Games
Another example of how developers are taking inspiration from classic games would be in Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. This game includes the famous mini-game, Gwent. It’s a turn-based game where you have to build a deck of cards using characters, spells, and creatures from within the real world. You’ll choose a faction, each with a unique ability and theme. Games like this take heavy inspiration from poker, in particular with variants such as Texas Hold’Em. Reading your opponent and having a strategy is important if you want to emerge victorious.
Successful video games tend to include a lot of different elements that help with fan engagement. Mini-games are just one of them, but they certainly have a huge part to play. Mini-games, taking heavy inspiration from traditional games, help to give people access to in-game rewards while adding to the fun and excitement of the overall story. In games like Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Gwent is an essential part of the game, with the mini-game intertwined within the story as Geralt of Rivia makes his way through the lands in search of his adopted daughter.
As time has gone on, it’s become evident that mini-games are no longer a way to add more fun to a game. They’re becoming essential, as people begin to want more from the games that they play, and as developers become more creative in their approach of adding complexity to a title.
