Talking from some experience a few years ago, I was demo-ing "Quest Adventure Cards(tm)" at a conference in Hamilton, Ontario. It was called the HammerCon. At that con, I was hoping to introduce "Quest" to as many kids as possible - since the game was a simple "Set Collection" game with some "Take-That" cards. Pretty basic in design.
On two different occasions, different Kids sat down at the table to PLAY the game. And oddly enough, the Kids had a good time playing the game ... but one asked me an interesting comment:
"So when do you do battle?"
And that's when everything suddenly made sense - about what it is Kids are looking from in a GAME. And I don't think it's much different in Adult players either.
It's pretty simple: Gamers want "confrontation".
They want Combos, Take-That - but also good gamesmanship too! Playing a simple "Card Game" is not enough for most Gamers these days.
Anyways I figured I'd share this experience - because it has stuck with me until this very day...
Well fair enough, let me ask you one question:
Why do kids like Pokemon or Yu-Gi-Oh!???
Have you ever watched the TV series of either of these shows?? If you have not, I'll just tell you that episodes "Climax" in a Battle or Showdown between two or more opponents.
This is especially true for Yu-Gi-Oh! Pokemon may have more subtle episodes about hunting some Rare Pokemon, etc. And so the dueling might be a little more subtle in Pokemon episodes (as compared to Yu-Gi-Oh!).