Sorry to necropost, but after reading everyone's insight in this subject, I just wanted to put mine up there as well.
Speaking as a consumer, and not a creator
1.Opinion. The first thing that I look for when a new game title is released, is if it falls into a catagory that interests me. So, when it comes down to it, it's all a matter of what a person likes. I don't like sports games, so you won't be getting a sale from me if you create the next Madden; no matter how good the graphics are. But, I'm crazy about survival horror titles such as Silent hill and Resident Evil, so, if you make a game in that genra, you can almost bet that I'll want to learn more about it.
2. Graphics/Camera. After I decide on a game, the first thing that I look for on the box, are the screenshots. If the camera view is poor during gameplay, or if the graphics are poor, I'll put the game back, and look for a different one. But, if the camera's good, and if the graphics are seemingly up to date; I'll read over the storyline, and if all three of these factors appeal to me, I'll take the game home with me.
3. Storyline. At the start of gameplay, I'll look for an opening cut scene that introduces the storyline to me--I want to know why I'm playing the game--why I'm about to kill these zombies, or escape from this mansion. I also want to be assured that my character is as three-dimensional as his surroundings (internal conflicts, etc).
4. Controls. If the controls are simple, and easy to follow, and the gameplay actions are unique for its genra(think of Resident Evil 4's action button that enables the player to perform kicks and suplexes in a shooter game, as well as interact with the environment by knocking down ladders and etc), the game will score easy points with me.
5. Enemies/Bosses. Enemies are important to me as well. A FPS game where I have to fight my way through other people with Uzis is a played out concept. If the game has new, never before released enemies, the game will stand out to me from others. Take Resident Evil. Zombies were getting repetitive in the series, so they replaced the zombie enemies with parasites that control people's minds (not a drastic change, but it altered the storyline, as well as the enemies' abilities and appearances).
6. Weapons. Another thing that I look at when I'm playing a game is the weapons that I use. My preference, is playing with weapons that actually exist in the real world. I want a Glock 19 to start with. And later, I want to pick up an M4A1 or M16 assault rifle.
7. Unlockables. A guarenteed way to get me to play a game again and again, is to award me with new weapons/costumes after I beat it the first time. This way, I'll get to go through the game with a stronger weapon, or new abilities. Unlocking new levels would be really awesome, but I've never played a survival horror game with this unlockable feature.
8.Music. To me, the music has to fit the title. I don't expect to be listening to Britney Spears music when I'm by myself in a dungeon with zombies about to jump on my from every corner. But I don't expect to be playing in silence, either. I expect a suspensful, creepy tone to be played in the background.
That's all that I can think of, and pretty much everything there is to a game for that matter. Me, and million others play Resident Evil 4 over and over again. It's been out for 4 years, and I still play it more than newly released titles. And look at all the videos on youtube. Why? I don't know. Maybe because it was a unique game--the idea was never used before. You'd have to either play it for yourself, or watch some gameplay videos of it on youtube, and try to figue out what makes that game so addictive. I hope this helped everyone.
-Kravenwolf
