Platform Games: A Deeper Look

Written by Rowel M

Run and jump! As humans, we would usually relate those actions to exercise. In the video game world, however, the ability to run and jump is critical to platform games. But what do we mean exactly when we say “platform games”? Chances are that you’ve played as the Italian plumber named “Mario” and saved the angelic “Princess Peach”. Those characters are from Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros, by far and away the most recognizable platform game ever and one of the most influential video games of all time. Again, that begs the question: what exactly is a platform game and what makes them so fun. 

Merriam-Webster defines the word “platform” as a “flat surface that is raised higher than the floor or ground and that people stand on when performing or speaking”. It’s the way that these platforms are utilized, however, that is most important. True platform games involve controlling a character and having him or her jump from platform to platform in order to advance within the game. Those platforms can be made from anything from bricks to dirt to wood. As referenced above, Super Mario Bros. is a side-scrolling 2D platform game. Side-scrolling platform games, popularized in the 80’s and 90’s, were the most common form of platform games. The typical goal of a side-scrolling platform game was to run and jump from the left side to the right side with the objective depending on the particular game’s storyline. You could be side-scrolling to save a damsel in distress at the end of the map, or perhaps trying to find a secret crystal. Platform games have now evolved into 3D platform games in which the third dimension allows players to walk around in a world that is no longer bound by the fixed view of 2D video games.

But what makes running and jumping on platforms so much fun? The key is realizing that there is so much more to it than that. In a side-scrolling platform game for example, there are numerous different gameplay elements that stand in between the beginning and end of a map. There are enemies to be fought, obstacles to dodge, items to be found, and so much more. Some video games focus on a few types of objectives and obstacles while others feature all of them. It’s the experience and challenge of accomplishing these different objectives that makes platform games so entertaining. None of this would be possible, however, without our favorite form of “transportation”: the platform.

Within our 2014 summer camps, we have Adventures in Game Design: Platform Games, where kids are introduced to game design as a process, and the skills required to design a game. It is here where students are empowered to view the new Clickteam Fusion 2.5 as their own personal canvas to create and design beautiful side-scrolling worlds. They will learn how to put these platforms together and how to create an objective/end goal for their specific games. The power of creativity is incredible and we love to see our students use their imagination in truly amazing ways. Students from our Platform Game Design camp are encouraged to continue with our other camps such as iPhone App Design, where they can take their game design knowledge even further and create games for their mobile devices and tablets. Older or more advanced campers have the option of taking 3D Game Design with Maya and Unreal Engine 4, which introduces students to 3D Game Design and the ability to create games of different genres such as first-person shooters and role playing games. Go to VisionTechcamps.com for more information on how to sign up!

The fine line differentiating video game genres is often blurred as many genres have platform elements within them as well. It can be debated that role playing games, adventure games, and certain action games aren’t true platform games but feature many of the same characteristics that platform games possess. That is why many view platform games as a highly influential catalyst for various video game genres today. Running and jumping, for example, is something you can do in almost any video game. How else could you get from place to place? Well, there are airplanes, but that’s a totally different story.

Rowel M

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