I found learning about the eight kinds of fun very convincing. I work as a preschool teacher part-time, and I definitely witness most of these in action on a weekly basis, though I have not considered them in these terms. Children are experts in cultivating all of these types of fun, and I will continue to turn to them throughout this course to imagine how I might incorporate them into my games, too.
Today, I want to explore the game of Mölkky through these eight kinds of fun. The game Mölkky functions similarly to bowling with a set of 12 pins and an object thrown to knock them down. However, in this game, the player throws a stick instead of rolling a ball to knock them down, and each pin has a point value associated with it. The thrower can either try to knock down as many pins as they can and receive points based on the number of pins knocked down, OR they may try to knock just one pin down to receive the number of points on the pin. After the pins fall, they are reset where they landed instead of the original triangle. What results is an epic game of strategy that requires teamwork, prediction, and expert aim.
The mechanics of the game create an experience of fun reliant on fellowship and challenge. Working as a team to select which strategy to pursue (or which pin to aim for) creates a dynamic of trust and interdependence in the gameplay, and this camaraderie is what makes the game so fun. The challenge of aiming for pins and mastering precise throws mimics the mechanics of games like bowling or mini golf, giving players a skill to work toward. The satisfying process of building mastery and overcoming challenge complements the teamwork and competitive element to create a well-rounded, joyful game.
