hi guys...
well i spended nearly 30 minutes to read the whole thread...
however... what makes a game a game: the player THINKS he takes TOTAL control over action/sene/whatever (except settings, here the player must have control); but thats of course NOT TRUE; succesful gamedesigners always implement surprises or "gimmicks" wich the player does not expect.
conclusio:the art of gamedesign ist to make the player BELIEVE he has control...
roalds home merry x-mas and a happy new year!!
roald