Donald Norman explains the difference between games and apps
The primary reason I became an interaction designer was because I wanted to make games. This is probably true of most of us.
I recently finished Donald Norman’s book “The Design of Everyday Things” and in the last chapter he talks about the difference between designing a game and designing an application (or device). Paraphrasing, he essentially says the goal of a tool is ease of use, and for a game it’s (calculated) difficulty of use.
… making things difficult is tricky business. If a game isn’t difficult enough, experienced players lose interest. On the other hand, if it is too difficult, the initial enjoyment gives way to frustration. … The same rules that apply to make tasks understandable and usable also apply to make them more difficult and challenging … The rules must be applied intelligently, for ease of use or difficulty of use. (page 208)
