In the scenario of gaming that constantly changes, for example players can move at a very high speed and compete with mechanics, without even realizing a new genre is clashing with tradition–the anti-game. These non-traditional experiences force players to rethink what a game could be by taking away the usual objectives, rewards, and competition. As the new Bitsky-like platforms help the digital entertainment industry evolve, anti-games gain more and more fans who desire something different from the usual win-or-lose principle.
What Exactly is an Anti-Game?
When comparing and contrasting the standard video games, the anti-games differ in that the former focus on records, scores, or completion of missions, the latter function on new atmospheric, experiential, or subjective levels. They might not have a clear purpose, yet they captivate players with immersive storytelling, abstract mechanics, or even deliberate inaction. The classic engagement concept is turned upside down by these games, as they give the player the right to simply live within the game world instead of forcing them to adapt to a certain objective.
Examples of Anti-Games
It is difficult to categorize many anti-games, however, the following are some that have redefined the standards of the genre:
"Mountain" – A game like vblink in which you are a nothingness observing how a mountain subtly changes over time.
"Proteus" – A surreal experience where the environment mingles with you, yet there is no traditional gameplay.
"Everything" – The simulation gives players the opportunity to turn into anything, for instance, a galaxy or a grain of sand, and explore the interrelatedness of life.