Why are games with high randomness and little or no skill involved nevertheless so popular? Am I wasting my time trying to design a strategy game?

[SeekerOfTruth007]

Furthermore, why does it seem like all the "good" ideas for a game are already taken?

One of the most popular games of all time is Monopoly, yet the game involves virtually zero skill of any kind. Either you land on the best properties, ro you don't.

[Effably]

Well first of and most importantly, things serve different purpose.

As many people know The Landlord's Game, or Monopoly as we call it, is intended to highlight the unfair nature of resource distribution. It is intentionally made to be a game that requires very little skill. That is the point of Monopoly. It exists to show flaws in capitalistic systems of ownership.

Many board games operate on principles of skill being second and often this is good. The optimal way to beat a static system is not difficult to memorize. The longevity comes from human interaction. Something like Risk is incredibly simple. While there is some element of skill, the real skill is diplomacy between players - the things not in the actual rules or games.

Beyond that? If we design a game about pressing a red button every five seconds and this gamw becomes wildly popular, the skill is in that people will start to do this incredibly well. If our game involves puzzling together a red button and then pressing it every five seconds, while the game got more complex people also get worse at each part.

I'd really reference Video Games here. A simple video game like Tetris does not require less skill than a complex one. It simply raises the expectation of skill on simple elements. LoL, wildly popular game, is a very simple game. But because of that near perfection becomes the standard of excellence.

And just to reiterate: High randomness gives everyone a chance. While best person still wins most, bad person also wins some. That is generally more fun than if one person wins every time.

[AviatorTom]

People play games for entertainment. If the game us too hard, it's not fun to play. If it's too eady, it's also not fun. The best games are somewhere in the middle.

FYI... There have been many studies of Monopoly. It's not just random chance, but involves knowing what best to do in a particular situation, playing the probability for success or failure.

[Vevv123]

I think it comes down to many factors, but one of them I believe is important, coming from someone who has a bit of ui/ux design experience, is usability. I think it’s important to conduct user testing and apply the feedback. That’s why many of the popular app we use are so addicting, they invest a lot in user experience.

[Vevv123]

Although, there are also many other factors that come into play. Like the example you made, when someone lands on the best property, it not only creates excitement and surprise from the unpredictability, but it also creates an extrinsic rewards when they gain something in return. You might want to look into intrinsic and extrinsic motivators.

[AI Opinion]

Games with high randomness and little skill are popular because they offer unpredictable excitement, making them accessible to a broader audience. They allow everyone to participate without needing specialized skills, promoting social interaction and casual fun. Designing a strategy game isn't a waste of time. Unique concepts and smart execution can always find an audience, even in a market filled with ideas. Keep innovating, and you'll discover a niche. Popular games like Monopoly thrive on nostalgia and simplicity, but there's always room for fresh, strategic experiences. 🎲🎮

[Anonymous]

Cause they’re fun, and don’t lead to fist fights. (Usually) no one wants to sit at the family table and actually try to win a board game. It’s for the time you spend with family, and the suspense of not knowing who’s going to win.