What makes a classic?

[PGit]

What are the qualities a game needs for it to be a classic?

[X-ray]

It has to have the kind of appeal that doesn't wane with time. Upon release it usually has something fresh and innovative in terms of technical specs, or maybe it may just have some element of gameplay that is original or an implimentation that is novel.
I would say if it has all these things, it is a classic. Furthermore if it has two-player or multiplayer features it tends to stick in peoples' minds for longer...look at Worms. That is a true classic. I would suspect that many of the football games would also be classics, even though I don't go for them personally.

[oleimann]

I would say a combination of:
- Good Gameplay - not too repetitive (Sierra's Quest series)
- Nice to fantastic graphics usage (Sierra)
- Original and catchy music (M.U.L.E., Elite)
- Multiplayer (M.U.L.E. - even if only in turn based)
- Multilevel (make it harder for the trained)
- for the more modern h/w: Networkability

I think if you don't copy the graphics, but design a 3D view, the boardgame "Colonists of Catan" would make a great multiplayer/online game. Only thing to really add: music/soundFX.

The PC Version of the Game only does Multiplayer through the network, but added characters and animated sequences.
Could easily be done on an AMIGA, too. :-D

[Speelgoedmannetje]

Talking about subjectivity...
I think it's just about the game being well known and good playable, in fact.
But personally I think a classic needs a certain atmosphere, to create a certain curiosity to go on with the game, or it needs a huge addictive factor. Let's say a "what happens if I do this" factor :-)

But these factors do not make a classic since if no one knows the game, or experience the game the way I do, it won't often be called a classic.
And there are countless of examles proving this.

[mattsell]

Playability
Competitiveness (can you compete with someone else easily)Difficulty level (can you comete against the computer, gradually get better)
Originality or Polished
Fond memories (well it helps if you liked it when you were younger)
Instant pick up and play factor (takes a second to get started and hours to stop playing)

All the above will make it stand the test of time, graphics, sound is irrelevent.

[PGit]

My own thoughts on the subject. I think there are degrees of classicness. A game may be a classic in it's genre but not in wider terms.
Also a game may be a personal classic in that the player would rate it highly or remembers it fondly.
Does it though have to be good, or just have to have something that makes it stand out?

[K7HTH]

20 years.