Forum Overview :: Gamerasutra :: Are games more like reading books (boo) or playing hockey (yay)?

[quote name="Jerry Whorebach"]I tend to view the base unit of play, the 'game', as everything that takes place between two save points. If the save points are placed far apart it's like running a marathon (fun and demanding), if they're placed close together it's more like a series of sprints (this can be fun too, but it's potentially even more demanding). Games with save-anywhere are more like running (or maybe even walking?) for pleasure, which I personally find boring as shit but I know some people get a kick out of so more power to them, I guess. And if you're just going to be walking around anyway, you might as well take a taxi when you feel like it, so yeah why not have a 'skip gameplay' button. Now the whole family can get in on the fun, even grandma. I know some people would argue that by the time grandma's getting involved, whatever you're doing probably can't be called fun anymore, but fuck 'em. Don't let anyone bully you into a foot race when what you really want is a bus tour.[/quote]