When we create games, we are trying to create experiences that is interesting enough to hold a player's attention for as long and as intensely as possible. When players are in this state, they enter an interesting mental phase where the rest of the world seems to fade away, and they have no intrusive thoughts. Players focus on what they are doing, and lose track of time.
This state of continuous focus and enjoyment has been referred to by psychologists as "flow". Some key concepts that help players stay in a "flow" state are:
1. Clear goals - when goals are clear, players have an easier time staying focused on them.
2. No distractions - distractions steal focus from the task. Limit or eliminate them altogether.
3. Direct/Immediate feedback - if players constantly have to wait to see what effect and action caused, they will become bored and lose focus. When feedback is instant, players can easily stay focused.
4. Continuously challenging - Keeping gamers in a state of flow requires balancing the challenges so they escalate in a way that is paced well.
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