Aesthetics

In the field of game studies, aesthetics refers to the visible elements of a game, including artwork, the interface, and audio.

As mentioned in his book, The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses, Jesse Schell considers aesthetics to be an important element of game design because "they have the most direct relationship to the player's experience" (Schell, 42). He includes it in his Elemental Tetrad alongside mechanics, story, and technology. Subtle presentation choices can also influence where a player looks or moves in a game through indirect control; adding a red line on the floor leading up to a certain object, for example, often draws players forward without them realizing they are being manipulated (287). In any case, Schell holds the aesthetics ought to support the other elements in adhering to the theme of the game.