Level up

Curiosity

What is behind that wall?

Super Metroid rewards the player who shoots every wall and tries every ledge. The Legend of Zelda hides half its secrets from people who only walk the obvious path. Explorers get more game.

Some players are achievers, some socialisers, some explorers. Most of us have a bit of each, and leaning into the explorer side makes everything bigger.

Train it on purpose

1. Play one area without trying to finish it. Just poke at everything.
2. Ask 'what if' once a session: what if I go left, what if I do not kill this guy.
3. Look up one fact about how a game you love was made. There is always a story.

Off the couch

Curious people are interesting people, and interesting people get invited back. Asking good questions, about a person, a place, a job, is the fastest way to be good company. Ask her about the thing she is into and actually want to know. That is the whole trick.

Sources

1. Bartle, R. (1996). Hearts, clubs, diamonds, spades: Players who suit MUDs. Journal of MUD Research, 1(1).