Is it really a "Game"?

[Sin4profit]

So is this a "game" in the same way Dear Esther was a "game"? Is there any goal or is it purely exploration. Don't get me wrong, i don't mind "interactive entertainment" but i just think they'er a different thing then what would qualify as a "game" and by calling it a game in the description seems misguided to me, unless it actually is a game.

[update] My "go-to" site, GiantBomb, did a quick look of Proteus. They seemed pretty posative on it but also helped establish that it's not something i'm looking for.

http://youtu.be/b2bSO2y7axI

[Jdsa]

It should probably give a better explanation as to what you are supposed to do in my opinion.

[Statue]

It is a game in so far as what you have to do is eat all the dots in the maze whilst avoiding all the ghosts. You can eat the bigger dots in the corners and that powers you up and makes the ghosts vulnerable, then you can eat them too for more points. Once you've eaten all the dots, you go to the next level, where the ghosts are faster and the power-up duration is shorter. You can also eat the fruit in the middle for bonus points. So yes, it's definitely a game.

Oh ♥♥♥♥. I meant to post this on the pacman forum. Sorry.

[404_Not_Found]

A game is defined by structured play, in that there are rules and goals to achieve. This game has obvious rules, as does every program, and the goal is to explore, so I'd say it's definitely a game.

I don't think it's like Dear Esther though, while the goal of both games is to explore, this game doesn't really tell a story, but the soundtrack changes depending on where you go. If you like getting feedback for your discoveries, in this case audio feedback, I'd say it's worth a look at.

I personally play it whenever I just need stress relief, I'm not the kind of person who likes to be idle so listening to music or watching TV just makes me feel more stressed, but this provides an interactive way to relieve that stress. In truth, it reminds me more of Flower than Dear Esther, but I do wish you could interact with the world more, click on things and see what happens, climb trees, dive underwater, more user interaction.

If you're wondering, there is an end, but I'm not telling you how to get to it. :P

[Statue]

But on topic, Edge say categorically "there's no question Proteus is a game", and give it an unusually high 80/100 (when they are famously quite tight); but then again, they're the only pro review on metacritic at this time. http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/proteus

[Baphomet]

What is the definition of a "game" to you? Is it supposed to score you on leaderboards, give you clearly labeled directions, allow customization?
I bought this game fully knowing what I would be receiving despite never having heard about the game before this morning. I have played it now and love it, and I think the description was a perfect summary of what to expect.

If you are looking for "Go kill captain price" ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥, you're going to be disappointed. This game takes a much more artistic and beautiful take on what the public considers "games". Dear Esther was confusing as ♥♥♥♥ because it tried to combine a story with exploration and I gave up after not knowing where to go/what to do. This game you make your own story, just messing around in a randomly generated island, enjoying the music and scenary. I've played far worse 10$ games and I hope to see more from this developer in the future.

[Mrmo]

I got to the end by following the various visual cues I was given. It's not really a "game" as it is an experience. I really felt the ending part.

[Bezetos]

This "game" is a great experience. There is no goal, there is no skill involved, it's all about the experience. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I really like it. Semantics are not important here.

[Sin4profit]

Originally posted by Backpack:

What is the definition of a "game" to you?

Basically what i'm asking is if it's more then asthestic absorbtion.

Originally posted by Bezetos:

Semantics are not important here.

I think semantics are important when money trade is involved. It's the same reason Dear Esther got so much flak, it called itself a game and people felt cheated by that fact alone.

"Games" like Dear Esther and (presumably) this may be more impactful if there's a future for VR like (presumably) what the Oculus Rift does, but as it is, i like to have an idea of what i'm paying for and just think the interactive entertainment industry could use some better terminology to separate what is mechanically a game and what is the equivalent of a virtualized interactive art installation piece.

[Fogmoz]

Eh it looks like Creative mode Minecraft with - slightly - better graphics, and no actual creation. Don't get me wrong, it looks very peaceful. Not $9 peaceful though. I could just as easily select one of my instrumental playlists, close my eyes, and imagine much more vivid landscapes if I wanted.

I would love to see something like this with a graphical level closer to that of Dear Esther, along with the ability to interact more with your surroundings.

[Darren Grey]

It doesn't say "+10 points" when you generate an interesting piece of music or "new sidequest option" when you come upon a frog, but you still get the same sense of feedback and reward. In that way it's very game-like. More so than many linear games in my opinion. It's certainly far more engaging than listening to music and using your imagination, and the reactive soundtrack is intensely powerful. If you're a music fan you should love it.

Not everyone's cup of tea, mind. Well worth a few quid in my books, especially since I've been playing it for a long time before it came on Steam and still find it immense fun to go back to. A lot of the positive comments you'll find online are from people that have gotten hooked on this, and they have not done so lightly. To those that enoy it this game really is special.

[Lohner]

I usually like games like this. I think. I bought and finished Dear Esther and liked it. I just have no flipping idea what is actually hiding behind the pretentiously unclear store page info.

Can somebody who's played this a bit lend me a hand and explain in plain English what I'll be doing in this game? It looks likd of like Caster without combat. Honestly, the store page isn't helpful at all.

[Alpha-methyl]

If I were to take a psychedelic drug, which of course I would never, ever even consider, I would love to have this game along for the ride.

However, I do not think I would get much out of it sober, except for maybe the audio. I haven't played it, but if the music is similar to the boards of canada I would =D

[Darren Grey]

Booke: You explore a procedurally generated island, which has plants and animals that will react to your presence in different ways. Chasing frogs is one of the most fun activities in the game. You eventually find ways to advance time and.... well, I really don't want to spoil more :/ It's very pretty, the reactive soundtrack is amazing, and the overall experience is deeply immersive.

If you want to spoil yourself a little then search on Youtube for "dogbomb Proteus" - it's a Let's Play that doesn't go too far and shows some early highlights.

[amok]

I would define a game as a formal system with pre-defined rules of engagement, involving pay-offs for the players which are logically related to the rules. Or maybe as a system which requires one or more players who are voluntarily engaged in creating a perceived positive outcome against one or more forces within regulated and rule based structures.

Going by either of these,then no - Proteus is not a game in the strictest sense, as it has no goals, no rules of engagement, nor any specific outcome (win condition). However, this does not stop it from being a beautiful toy capable of giving you a truly unique and wonderful experience :)

[{NOG} greyspot]

"Chasing frogs is one of the most fun activities in the game."
Yep, I'm sold!
Haha, no.

Beautiful experiment with procedurally generated landscape and music? Yes!
Worth $10? No!

Now, if this came in the form of a screensaver, with the character being controlled with some sort of AI, or maybe just changing scenes every now and then, and it came at a MUCH lower price point, I'd buy it up in a heartbeat.