Game Motivation

            In my opinion, motivation and objectives are some of the most important parts in any game. The player needs an established goal to make them want to progress through the game, otherwise then why would someone want to play the game in the first place? Red Dead Redemption is a game that provides the player with motivation to see the character succeed.

 Red Dead Redemption is a story that takes place in the old West. It is about a retired outlaw named John Marston who wishes to escape his bloodstained past. Early in the game we find out that he was taken from his wife and son by the government and is being forced to capture or kill his former partner and gang leader Bill Williamson in exchange for their return. As the player continues through the game's story, they may find themselves feeling more and more attached to John and championing for him to succeed in his mission. The interesting and likeable characters motivate the players to continue with the game. There is also a cast of other likable characters that give the player more objectives to help reach their goals. Sometimes you’ll help a traveling salesman sell his fake elixirs or help a crazy unhygienic prospector find some treasure he threw his life away finding, and everything in between. There are also many side objectives that make good diversions from the main campaign without the player being completely distracted. An example of this is would be stopping a cannibal from eating the citizens or helping a man get the deed to a plot of land.

Since its release, Red Dead Redemption has won many Game of the Year Awards. It has won these awards for its soundtrack and visuals. But it has also won these awards for the story.  It provides players with motivation and objectives to continue playing the game. It makes its player want and look forward to sequels. There are so many games on the market today and many of them fall short.  In my opinion Red Dead Redemption is one of the best games out there.

Image from: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a7/Red_Dead_Redemption.jpg