Okay, so we have all been in a state where we are so focused on something that we just kind of block out the outside world. Don't get me wrong, we can still sense what going on around us but it's vague when we come to. To paint a picture, I was playing a game when my mom told me to take out the trash. I was so immersed in the game that I said okay and then 1 minute later I forgot. Well 30 minutes later my mom comes back and asks if I took out the trash but I don't remember her asking me to do so. Yet I remember talking to her. Now, this is a very specific example, but in this case, my body and mind are in a state of flow. Flow is described as a state of extreme concentration that can be achieved by completing a task that challenges our abilities. Flow causes our bodies to blur the world around us. The only thing that matters is us and what we're focused on. Now, this might not be a good thing for a son who forgot to take out the trash like his mom asked, however to video game developers, this is the end goal. This is that moment where the golden gate opens, and you enter paradise. The reason why game developers want their players to be in flow is that it ensures that the player will play the game for a longer time. The chances of completing the game greatly increase as well if the player is in flow. Even though a player might have to deal with a consequence after they realize they played too long, they too can benefit from the flow. Now when you are in a state of flow, your body releases chemicals to let you know that you are having fun. In other words, if you are in flow you are having fun. Now enough talk about what flow is, let us apply it. Apex Legends is an online multiplayer battle royal style game. Whew, what a mouthful! Anyways, Apex Legends can provide social interaction fun as well as victory fun if you win. Apex does not follow the typical flow pattern the most games do. What I mean by that is that most flow games fluctuate from something challenging to something boring, and these unusually occur in the same order no matter who's playing the game. Now Apex does have a balance between challenge and boredom, however since this is an online game, there is no set rule to follow. Every game is different and every flow is different. Or so you thought. While it may be true you experience different games with different people, there is still structure to the game. Certain events take place throughout a single match to help you achieve a state of flow. Starting with character selection(1). When you start a match in the Apex, you first have to choose a character. This requires absolutely no skill but perks the interest of the player because players have to choose a character that they will use the entire game. Once you have chosen your player, there is a screen that shows the champion squad (person who won the last match and their teammates)(2). If you look at the graph provided below, this moment leans towards the boredom side. The reason for this is because while information may be interesting to some, the player does not interact at all with the game at this time. Next, there is an incline in the graph because of the skydive!(3) While it does not take much skill to skydive, the moment is heightened by the intense music and character lines. Once you land at your location, the challenge is taken up a bit because you have to find any loot and fight.(4) To better elaborate, once to the ground, you pick up any loot you find, as it increases your chances of making it through the initial wave. If you managed to get past the initial wave and win battles against others who landed near your spot, you then move on to selective looting.(5) During this time the adrenaline has started to cool and the graph starts to fall back towards the boredom side. The reason for this is because, unlike fighting, selective looting only requires you to know what you want and to click on that item. Once you have the loot you want you most likely will encounter another squad, and this time you are challenged to fight with better loot fitted to your needs.(6) If you manage to win, then you get to loot the enemies' boxes for any loot that may be better than what you currently have. (7)Again this is a declining moment because not much skill is involved with looting. There is a step up from selective looting because you have to make decisions based on the loot you chose. Next up you have to run from the ring. (8) Throughout the game the play area will get smaller and if you happen to be caught outside the play area, you take damage. Early on in the game, you can survive longer outside the play area, but as the game continues the damage increases. This specifically makes navigating the play area more difficult the further you play. Once you are safely in the play area, there is yet another challenge because other squads will have also moved into your area. It is very likely that in this situation you will have to fight multiple squads with good loot.(9) If you survive, you then can do any additional looting to replace consumable items and gaps in your inventory. (10) Now before continuing, I would like to point out that the area shaded in green on the graph below shows events that can happen multiple times. It is important to keep in mind that the more times this happens, the less of a challenge it becomes to a player, which is why there is a play area that continues to shrink. It essentially puts a time limit on the shaded green area, to prevent players from getting bored. In the final moment of the game, players will position themselves in the final play area.(11) While there is no action, players still must remain focus, for the next part. This final challenge has a huge risk. It's all or nothing. There are one or two other squads who are most likely very skilled, and you have to play smart to win. It is not simply about shooting at this point. You have to keep in mind your location, your teammates' location, and the enemies' location.(12) A lot is happening at this point. If you, however, manage to be the last squad alive, the tension resolves, and you have completed the goal of the game. Be the last one standing. There is a banner telling you that you have achieved victory and shortly after there is a screen showing you your stats during that game.(13) Now what I just described is the ideal gameplay, however, Apex Legends has so many possibilities. In the graph below there might be things that are too challenging and take you out of the flow. An example of this is if you happen to encounter a squad that is way more skilled than you are. (most of the time this does not happen) Maybe you end up looting for longer because you have not encountered anyone. This makes you bored and takes you out of the flow. There are so many factors that influence this game and your flow, however, there is still a foundation. There will always be specific things you have to do to keep your attention and keep you in or around the state of flow.
-What is game flow?
-What does game flow look like for Apex Legends?
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