Poll: Challenge Vs. Exploration... what do you prefer?

[WoW Killer]

I like challenge, but not just by your definition. Challenge is any goal you can set yourself as a player. It's not just sheer difficulty. Exploring the world can be a challenge. In fact, the more sandbox-ey games are some of the best for challenge based gameplay, because they offer the most opportunity for the player to set their own challenges.

So, what does that make me by your definitions?

 

[Nomanslander]

I like challenge, but not just by your definition. Challenge is any goal you can set yourself as a player. It's not just sheer difficulty. Exploring the world can be a challenge. In fact, the more sandbox-ey games are some of the best for challenge based gameplay, because they offer the most opportunity for the player to set their own challenges.

So, what does that make me by your definitions?

You want a challenge.

When I say explore, I don't mean to literally explore some sandbox game or jungle. I mean, to seek out new venues and new experiences:

So you have a modern shooter that you can play online, and your only goal is to get your opponent between your crosshairs, and pull the trigger. It's a point and click game, on a timer. It's that simple, and yet, gamers all over the world never get tired of it. They'll spend hours upon days upon months upon YEARS! Doing this.

What players are seeking there is to master a game.

But if I say, "hey, can I shoot bees out of my hand, instead?," or, "can I pick up objects and throw it at them?"

Now, you're delving into exploration. You want to do something different, you're not trying to master anything.

But...

The minute you decide to just stick with shooting bees out of your hand in a game (in order to get really good at it), you're no longer seeking variety, and now you're seeking to master something.

Now maybe I should have used the word mastery over challenge (on further thoughts, I should have...lol), but my bases was people that are looking for variety generally aren't looking for a challenge.

Best example that came to me now while trying to write this all up is: think of college. You can spend your time jumping from one major to another like it's BaskinRobins 31 flavors, or you can stick to one and get a degree.

 

[Eddie the head]

The challenge of something will keep me there tell the challenge is done. The Exploration will keep me there until, I don't want to explore anymore. Or I finish witch almost never happens.

 

[Daget Sparrow]

Tough choice. And everyone else's already said "both", so...

I'd probably go exploration over challenge. Game worlds are always infinitely more interesting when the player is given a chance to explore it. Especially if it encourages the player to ply the game multiple times (i.e.: Bioshock. Love Bioshock)

 

[SilkySkyKitten]

As many have said before, this poll has a distinct lack of a "both" option.

I mean, granted I probably prefer challenge over exploration since I find a lot of non-linear games overwhelm me with crap to do to the point I don't know what I should focus on. But, in the end, if you can combine both in a good way I'd rather have that than challenge or exploration separately.

 

[alphamalet]

The is an unnecessary dichotomy. Both are utilized at varying degrees in good games.

 

[Blow_Pop]

Both. I enjoy both challenges AND exploration.I can't choose between the two. I like a healthy mix between them both.