What’s a Mini-Game? The Anatomy of Fishing Mini-Games

Abstract

Fishing ‘mini-games’ are common in many contemporary video games. But what makes certain fishing-related video gaming elements into a ‘fishing mini-game’ per se and not merely a ‘fishing mechanic’? I answer this by examining how fishing elements vary from one implementation to another. Through analysing eight recent games with fishing, I identify and categorise a list of features where different implementations may vary. The resultant framework can assist designers to implement differently to cater to various player types and achieve specific goals. I also make a first attempt at distinguishing fishing mini-games from other fishing elements in video games. I identify two core considerations that, in my view, are crucial in rendering certain gameplay elements, but not others, a ‘mini-game:’ (i) gameplay-wise, the mini-game should be substantially different from other elements of the overarching video game and (ii) engagement with the mini-game should not be compulsory or effectively so.

Illegal loot box advertising on social media: an empirical study using the Meta and TikTok ad transparency repositories

“…As shown in Figure 1, one TikTok advert (ID# 1753834718906369: https://library.tiktok.com/ads/detail/?ad_id=1753834718906369) for Top War even ironically self-referentially highlighted how the ad was allegedly 'exposing fake games' and purported to demonstrate how the fake gameplay was supposedly 'actually like the ads' and 'NOT fake.' To the author's understanding, the gameplay shown does actually exist as a 'mini-game' in a minor part of the overarching game [52] ; however, it is not representative of the actual gameplay of the vast majority of Top War. In 2022, the ASA actually specifically ruled on two complaints concerning two TikTok adverts for Top War [53] .…”

Soft Horrors: The Visual and Ludic Safety of Dark Cozy Games

“…The fact that fishing comprises almost the entirety of the gameplay is, of course, not accidental and creates the sense of coziness in the most direct way. In-game fishing, which can be a common part of both bigger, action-heavy or RPG games and smaller cozy titles, usually appears in a form of mini-games that can differ in regard to their complexity and impact on the overall narrative (Xiao, 2023), offering situational moments of meditative stillness. This is true also for fishing in Dredge, which divides its gameplay between areas of safety and peril as well.…”