Gimmick or Mechanic

[chocolatekake]

What exactly is the difference between a gimmick and a game mechanic? What's the distinction between a motion control gimmick and a game mechanic? Think about the slashing motion you make for finishing moves in No More Heroes. Or being able to use slow motion in first person shooters.

And hasn't every step forward just been a new gimmick? For example 3D. Was it not just the new thing? "It's the same old Legend of Zelda, but this time IN 3D!" And yet it has become the norm.

What do you guys think?

 

[No_Remainders]

A gimmick is put there to make the game feel cooler, but isn't essential to core gameplay (I.E. talking into the mic on the DS)
A real game mechanic makes for better gameplay without overdoing things.

 

[Katana314]

I guess to me it's something like this:

A gimmick is an introduction that is primarily meant to look good in commercials or advertising, while not really making significant contribution to the gameplay itself. For instance, a game that tries to make innovative and relevant use of motion control might have 3D as a complete gimmick (since the 3DS's screen doesn't react well to motion while playing)

However, mechanics are usually more integrated with the gameplay design, such that the whole thing would never work without it.

 

[Cazza]

A gimmick is when they try and sell the game with it. Normally it's new and never really used to it's full power. A mechanic is really a developed gimmick.

Marketing a movie with 3D is a gimmick. Having 3D without marketing it because they feel the movie will do fine either way. Thats when I will go to 3D movies. It the same thing with games in my opinion.

 

[Zaik]

If I like it: Mechanic
If I hate it: Gimmick

 

[Fanboy]

Blast Processing, anyone?

The word is seriously overused, though. I blame the fanboys.