Collectibles in games

October 26 2011, 5:23pm

In a #AltDevBlogADay article this week WB Games Seattle animator Mike Jungbluth discusses the value of collectibles in games. Whether it is coins, ammo, rupees, or pegasus feathers, collectibles are a key way to further engage players and in some cases create a “game within a game”. Jungbluth categorizes the three main uses of collectibles in games as rewards and currency, a compass or clock, or the use of collectibles as a character in game. The Zelda franchise is a key example of a reward/currency style collectible. Collecting rupees is an in-game experience both for exploration and monetary gain to purchase better armor and items. Jungbluth concludes that: “Collectibles are a video game institution and much of how they are used is almost second nature to both players and designers. But that can often lead to them not getting the proper attention they deserve. Next time a collectible shows up in the game you are working on, look at it and decide on its value, what it is subconsciously telling the player, and how it fits into the world you are creating.” Do you add collectibles into your gameplay experience? What function do they serve? Source: #AltDevBlogADay