Is flow necessary for a good game design

[Druidpwn]

Hello

I am currently writing a report on flow in game design. I am about to make a discussion whether or not flow is necessary for a good game design.

For you who don't know what flow is.

"Flow is the mental state of operation in which a person performing an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity. In essence, flow is characterized by complete absorption in what one does."

http://psychology.about.com/od/Posit...ogy/a/flow.htm

I would like to know if you ever had fun with a game, without being in flow?

if you want, you can leave a reply if you think flow is necessary, to have a good game experience. An example of a game without flow, but still fun to play would be nice.

Thank you very much.

[Fencers]

No.

Good game design only needs to not be in conflict with itself. That is to say, operation of the gameplay is not in conflict to the goal of the design [artistic intent] or the operation & design of another gameplay operation.

The art of video games comes from the design. Their science is in operation.

[Adam Jensen]

If you're talking about immersion, I'd say yes. The best games I've played are games I lost myself in. Mass Effect Trilogy and Deus Ex HR come to mind. Mass Effect 3 for example had me so drawn in that when I first saw that kid get killed at the start of the game, I literally shouted "No!" in horror. Games that are immersive are the most memorable and the most enjoyable.