MDA: A Formal Approach to Game Design and Game Research

Having fun through sensation means that people like to feel things.

This can be achieved by going on a rollercoaster, playing tag, or even playing digital games in easy or arcade modes.

People who like fantasy fun are usually excited about themes like magic, sci-fi, or other stories that are far from reality.

This can be achieved through roleplay, wearing costumes, using accessories, or any other uncommon things.

The universe where the activity plays is one of the most important things for fantasy lovers.

When the story is the most important aspect to make something fun, you're having fun through narrative.

This can be achieved through storytelling, interactive movies/books, or by playing games' story mode.

When you overcome an obstacle and find that fun, you're having Challenge fun.

This can be achieved by playing in a competition, playing a game in hardcore mode, or even by trying to master everything in a complex game.

Understand that some people may like to face some challenges, and that is even part of the flow theory, but others (people who play games like Dark Souls or Bloodborne) are interested in having really hard challenges — which may be frustrating to the average audience.

If the most fun activities are the ones you do with others, then you like Fellowship fun.

This can be achieved through co-op games, going to parties, hanging out, or even by playing party games.

Solving mysteries is your thing? So you like Discovery fun.

This can be achieved by watching investigation shows/movies, playing hide-and-seek, or even with open-world games.

When you like to make the experience feel like it has a part of you, that's Expression fun.

It can be achieved through customization of all sorts (clothes for a character, colors for an app, you name it), by allowing significant chat between participants, or even by supporting original content.

Submission fun is about investing time and effort into something and getting a return on investment.

This can be achieved through gardening, a celebration of a huge achievement, or even by playing building games.