How to make successful games (in a nutshell)

Another week, another post, eh. Well, you're in for a big one, because this week we're talking about how your niche idea could become the next biggest phenomenon since Flappy Bird! But, it's not that simple (nothing's ever simple these days); there are a few guidelines that would help most of the non-programmers and amateurs of the technical spectrum out there, reading this. Here are our articles for this week:

How to design your own video game (2012). Retrieved April 18, 2014, from http://www.animationarena.com/how-to-design-your-own-video-game.html

Landgraf, H. (2012), The Increasing Role of Character Animation in Video Games. Retrieved April 18, 2014, from http://www.animationarena.com/character-animation.html

The first article is about discussing the different elements of a successful video game as well as the different skills needed to produce such works for feasible distribution. The article also points out key problems that can be faced during game development that could cause more detriment than intended if not addressed early enough.
One of the core aspects of this article was the 5 areas of discussion of already-successful games out there: Characters, Originality, Play-ability, Re-Play-ability, and User Interface. I recall some of the games I've developed for recreation lacking dire aspects of Re-play-ability and Character. Though not all games need to meet these 5 criteria, but that would depend on their sole genre.

Landgraf's discussion revolves around the idea that the changing audiences for games causes a demand for more immersible, believable and entertaining story lines that really capture the player into becoming the protagonist in the game. She also presents the importance of character animators in the game industry in order to "bring life" to the characters in the game, in order to simulate realism and smooth movements.
As is the case with most of us reading this (including myself at this moment of blogging), we don't really have a good foundation of character animation and modelling. But, given that we develop such skill sets, the game industry offers many opportunities to those with the right skills in the right fields.
One of the most significant quotes I found in the article was one that really emphasizes the importance of character development in video games today: "If you can get your audience to empathize with a character, they will follow you to the ends of the Earth."

If you ever thought of getting your game pitch out there, try finding someone who is in the industry or knows about how the industry works. If you ever wanted to be a game animator and modeler, there are courses and software programs out there (e.g. Unity, Unreal, etc.) to help you get a grasp on the technical side of the creativity of games. There was probably a better way of saying that, but you'll get the point.
In any case, don't stop believing, man. Because there is purpose in all of us, even if you're a game developer with little to no experience in actual game development.

Peace. ☮