Introduction This post aims to be a deeper look at my earlier rant about meaning, narrative (plot) and gameplay. After considering feedback and thinking about it some more I would now like to write a more constructive text. In this post I will outline some steps and ways of thinking that I think are needed in order to achieve deeper and more varied meaning in games. “Deeper meaning” is of course a highly subjective thing, but what I mean is simply games where the core is not just about a gameplay mechanic, showing entertaining gore or similar. Instead, the focus should be on exploring something other than pure “fun”. Meaning should come first Instead of starting out with a gameplay mechanic, one should find some other kind of meaning to have at the core. Note, that “meaning” does not have to be something hard to understand or extremely profound. “The joys of snowboarding” is one kind of meaning and “What is it like to be homeless?” is another. Note the difference in meanings here, one is pretty mainstream while the other is not. Also note that I would consider both of these meanings “deep” as they do not concentrate on the gameplay directly. (via In The Games Of Madness: Exploring Deeper Meaning In Games)