The Beauty of Broken: Why Intentional Jank Makes Games Better

Alright, buckle up, buttercups! We’re about to dive headfirst into the wonderfully weird world of intentional jank in video game movement. Forget silky smooth, perfectly calibrated controls.

The Gospel of Jank: Why Broken is the New Beautiful

Let’s be honest, have you ever launched yourself across the map in Goat Simulator due to a physics glitch and not cackled maniacally? I rest my case. We’re talking about the magic that happens when games embrace, or even engineer, a little chaos into their movement systems.

Jank, that beautiful, unpredictable beast, offers something that sterile perfection simply can’t: emergent gameplay, player agency, and shareable moments of pure, unadulterated hilarity.

Think about it. Perfect precision is great, but it’s also… predictable.

The Sterile Prison of Polished Perfection

The relentless pursuit of polish can be a creativity killer. When every movement is meticulously scripted and perfectly predictable, games can start to feel… samey.

We lose that vital element of surprise, the potential for happy accidents, and the sheer joy of exploiting a system in unexpected ways. Remember the “rocket jump” in Quake? Pure jank, pure genius.

The drive for perfection can unintentionally homogenize experiences, making gameplay predictable. Sterile mechanics lack unique identity.

Emergent Gameplay: Unleashing the Chaos

Intentional jank allows for emergent gameplay. This is where players discover novel and unexpected ways to interact with the game world. These unexpected interactions often become defining features, transforming the game from a simple set of rules to a playground of endless possibilities.

Minecraft's physics engine, while not intentionally janky, allows for incredibly complex structures and machines, far beyond what the developers initially envisioned. This unplanned emergence is the reason the game stays fresh for so many years.

Emergent gameplay injects personality into the game. It also gives players a personal attachment to the game.

Player Agency: The Power to Break the Rules

Jank empowers players. It gives them the feeling that they’re not just playing the game, but messing with it.

This can manifest as speedrunning tricks, unconventional combat strategies, or simply finding creative ways to circumvent obstacles. Exploiting the game’s physics becomes a skill in itself, fostering a deeper connection between the player and the game world.

Consider Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy. The entire game is intentional jank. Every awkward hammer swing, every near-miss, every rage-inducing fall is a testament to the power of player agency in a deliberately flawed system.

This gives players a sense of accomplishment. Overcoming the game’s “challenges” is the main point.

Shareable Shenanigans: The Jank That Keeps on Giving

Let’s face it, perfectly executed gameplay is impressive, but it’s not always that funny. On the other hand, a spectacular physics fail, a glitch that sends you flying across the map, or a moment of pure, unadulterated jank-induced chaos?

That’s meme gold.

These moments become shared experiences, fodder for YouTube compilations, and the stuff of gaming legends. They transform the game from a solitary activity into a social phenomenon. The shared experience is not about beating the game.

The shared experience is about breaking the game. It’s an experience that creates a lasting impression.

Jank Done Right: A Delicate Balance

Of course, there’s a fine line between charming jank and frustrating bugs. The key is intentionality. If the “jank” feels like a genuine mistake, it detracts from the experience. If it’s cleverly implemented and contributes to the game’s unique character, it becomes an asset.

Here are some things to consider:

• Predictability (Within Reason): The jank shouldn’t be completely random. Players should be able to learn and exploit it.
• Control: Even with janky mechanics, players should still feel like they have some degree of control over their character.
• Fun Factor: Above all, the jank should be fun. If it’s frustrating or unfair, it’s a problem.

An example of “good” jank? The original Dark Souls rolling mechanic. It’s not perfect, but its limitations led to creative dodging strategies and a distinct combat rhythm.

This mechanic became iconic. It defined the entire game.

Case Study: Surgeon Simulator - A Janktastic Masterpiece

Surgeon Simulator isn’t just a game; it’s a celebration of jank. The deliberately clumsy controls, the absurd physics, and the utter chaos of the operating room are all integral to the experience.

Would Surgeon Simulator be as popular if it had realistic, precise surgery mechanics? Absolutely not. The jank is the point. It’s what makes the game hilarious, challenging, and uniquely memorable.

The game showcases the power of intentional design. It’s an amazing example of taking a simple idea to an extreme.

Common Pitfalls: Avoiding Jank-Induced Annoyance

While embracing jank can be beneficial, it’s crucial to avoid common pitfalls. Too much unpredictability can lead to frustration.

Here are some challenges:

• Unfair Difficulty: Jank shouldn’t make the game unfairly difficult.
• Game-Breaking Bugs: Obvious, game-breaking bugs should always be fixed.
• Lack of Control: Players should still feel like they have some control over their character.

It’s about finding the sweet spot. A place where jank enhances, not hinders, the fun.

Jank in Your Own Games: A Step-by-Step Guide (Sort Of)

So, you want to inject some intentional jank into your game? Great! Here’s a (highly unscientific) guide:

1. Identify Opportunities: Look for areas in your movement system that could benefit from a touch of controlled chaos.
2. Experiment: Play around with physics, animation timings, and input handling.
3. Test, Test, Test: Get feedback from players to see what works and what doesn’t.
4. Iterate: Refine your jank until it’s just the right level of delightfully broken.

Remember, the goal is not to create a broken game. The goal is to create a game with character, a game that surprises and delights players with its unique quirks.

It also depends on the kind of game that you’re making. This step-by-step guide is helpful for certain situations.

The Future is Jank: Embracing the Imperfect

In a world of increasingly polished and homogenized games, intentional jank offers a refreshing alternative. It’s a reminder that games don’t have to be perfect to be fun.

By embracing the imperfect, developers can create more memorable, engaging, and ultimately, more human experiences. So, go forth, embrace the jank, and let the chaos reign!

I think it’s important for game developers to understand this. Understanding this helps set their game apart.