If good video games have educational value, which I argued that they do in Video Games Are Educational, than what makes a video game good? Well the first part is that the game has some sort of fantasy.
When I say fantasy I mean anything that allows the game player to pretend to be someone or something that they likely could not be. For example, a city planner in the game Sim City, a football coach/player in the Madden Football games, a theme park operator in Roller coaster Tycoon, or a World War II soldier in one of the many first person shooters that exist today. Having a good fantasy helps to captivate players and pull them into the game. It helps them to become emotionally invested in the game and its outcomes. This is particularly effective if you can tap into an interest of the gamer player.
I think this is one area where video game makers are falling short when it comes to attracting more female game players. I don't think they are doing enough to appeal to female fantasy situations. If you look at recent games that have been very successful, they do a better job of drawing in female game players.
What fantasy aspect of a game do you like?
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