In the year of our lord 2025, the word “multiplayer” can represent many things. It could mean fighting your way to a Victory Royale with the boys, having a minor fistfight with a sibling over Mario Kart or perhaps over Monopoly. What makes these interactions engaging? What makes multiplayer…fun?

Let’s break down an example: Mario Kart. The basic actions which a player will spend their time performing in Mario Kart are as follows: drive, use power-ups and out-perform your competitors.