Game Archetype

A Game Archetype is a primal impulse for play, rooted deep in the human mind.
- This impulse is a timeless, cross-cultural ideal.
Game Archetypes can be experienced in almost any form.
- All archetypes have real-world activities or counterparts.
- Modern video games are just one medium for these experiences.
A Game Archetype is the “why” of an interactive experience; it is its soul.
- It answers the fundamental question: “What makes this experience fun at its core?”
- The Game Archetype is not just one layer in a model of gameplay; it is the “prime mover” that governs the whole structure.
A game’s design is often a composite of one or more archetypes.
By separating archetypes, we can better understand and design for each one’s unique player feelings, and design dimensions, often expressed through Game Design Pattern.
- The Race Archetype focuses on goals, the path to victory, and the level of player interaction.
- The Mind Game Archetype centers on private information, public information, and strategies for winning.
I believe the concept of an archetype is significant in game design process, as it can bridge design purpose and rules.
- Design Purpose → Archetypes → Game Design Patterns → Rule Set → Rules

Archetypes I’ve Found