Fulfilling the American Dream through Merge Games

Jason Mai, the newly appointed VP of Creative at Big Fish, took on the challenge of understanding the merge genre, despite having no prior experience with it. In a GDC 2023 session, Mai explained how he dove into the world of merge games, deconstructing the mechanics and identifying the core fantasy that drives these games: the American Dream. According to Mai, merge games are built around a 'pyramid of consumption,' where players combine items to progress through levels, with each new level requiring exponentially more merges. This mechanic creates a sense of value and encourages players to seek shortcuts, such as speed-ups and accelerators. Mai believes that merge games tap into the player's fantasy of achieving the American Dream, where they start with humble beginnings and work their way up to luxury items. He suggests that developers can explore different themes and mechanics to enhance this fantasy, such as incorporating elements of space and time, or introducing social features and multiplayer gameplay. Mai also acknowledges the potential drawbacks of merge games, including the focus on material possessions and the stress of managing a cluttered game board. As an alternative, he proposes a Marie Kondo-style approach to merge gameplay, where players organize and minimize their items to create a sense of calm and order. Mai's talk highlights the potential for innovation and creativity in the merge genre, and encourages developers to think outside the box and explore new ideas.