Mechanics, Dynamics, and Aesthetics of Fruit Ninja
Fruit Ninja is an application developed by Halfbrick as a phone application in which the player must efficiently slice fruit as it is tossed on-screen. In the following article, I will analyze the Mechanics, Dynamics, and Aesthetics of the game.
Mechanics
In this section I will describe the rules and systems controlling Fruit Ninja.
The goal of the game is to slice the greatest number of fruits without slicing bombs (which will immediately result in game-loss). Watermelon, bananas, pineapples, apples, and other fruits arc across the screen. A user swipes across the screen to simulate a “blade.” If the arc of the blade’s trail collides with the fruit, then it is sliced. If it collides with multiple fruits at once, then they are all sliced.
Dynamics
In this section I will describe the experiential display of playing Fruit Ninja.
I found the fruit-slicing very satisfying. Although the goal of the game is simply to cut fruit, there are additional obstacles, such as multiple fruits thrown together, in which case the only option is to slice all of them when they are in the same spot on-screen. Additionally, sometimes a fruit is thrown with a bomb. The background is simple: a wooden backdrop. This puts attention solely on the fruit and the blade.
Another important aspect of the experience is that when certain high scores are achieved, other styles of blades can be unlocked, such as one which trails sparkles on-screen.
Aesthetics
The game relies on sense pleasure and abnegation/submission as types of fun. Sense pleasure is elicited from the satisfaction of slicing the fruit and hearing the “slicing sound effect,” and possibly upgrading to more beautiful blades throughout the game. Additionally, it is a great way to escape reality into a world with simple tasks, thus it elicits abnegation.
The simple game uses straightforward actions and goals to create a satisfying and fun app experience!
