Creating Emotion in Games: The Craft and Art of Emotioneering

Reason #7: So You Don't Burn Millions of Dollars of Potential Profit

Metal Gear Solid II was an eagerly awaited game. Did it satisfy people's hunger for great gameplay? Many gamers said yes. But gamers complained that the story was unengaging even trite and silly. The game, despite its great look for the time, sold a million less units in the United States than its predecessor.

How many millions of dollars more could the game have made if it had been more emotionally involving? And how much damage was done to the brand? How much will the next sequel not make because of the lessened passion U.S. game players felt for Metal Gear Solid II?