Colwyn
05-22-2006, 12:33 PM
Second Life: Tringo - The Game Within the Game on Wired (http://www.wired.com/news/columns/0,70945-0.html?tw=rss.index)
In essence, Quirk had created one of gaming's most hallowed properties: A "casual" game that can be learned in a few minutes, but never entirely mastered. "The concept is so simple," Quirk said in March, "that people can pick it up real quick and be winning after even only two or three games." Tringo also cleverly updates the intricacy of Tetris: Whereas Tetris had five different shapes of bricks, Tringo has nine, allowing for ever-more-subtle playing strategies.
But not too subtle. Quirk perfectly nailed the game designer's greatest challenge -- balancing complexity and frustration. It hit Second Life like a gorgeous new narcotic, and within a few months Second Lifers were thoroughly addicted. Quirk sold more than 200 copies of the game to players who would host multiplayer tournaments in their virtual mansions, with players putting in a gambling stake, and the highest scorer taking the kitty. You'd log into Second Life, check the "events" board, and see swaths of Tringo events -- the single most popular pastime in all of Second Life.
In essence, Quirk had created one of gaming's most hallowed properties: A "casual" game that can be learned in a few minutes, but never entirely mastered. "The concept is so simple," Quirk said in March, "that people can pick it up real quick and be winning after even only two or three games." Tringo also cleverly updates the intricacy of Tetris: Whereas Tetris had five different shapes of bricks, Tringo has nine, allowing for ever-more-subtle playing strategies.
But not too subtle. Quirk perfectly nailed the game designer's greatest challenge -- balancing complexity and frustration. It hit Second Life like a gorgeous new narcotic, and within a few months Second Lifers were thoroughly addicted. Quirk sold more than 200 copies of the game to players who would host multiplayer tournaments in their virtual mansions, with players putting in a gambling stake, and the highest scorer taking the kitty. You'd log into Second Life, check the "events" board, and see swaths of Tringo events -- the single most popular pastime in all of Second Life.