Games like Grand Theft Auto 4 have state-of-the-art graphics, but the visuals may not be very important for a game’s success (Image: Digital Beach Media / Rex Features)

WHAT is the key to designing a hit video game – beautifully crafted graphics or a gripping storyline? It may just be a matter of social interactions and avoiding bad pricing, say Russell Beale and Matthew Bond of the University of Birmingham, UK.

The pair analysed game reviews to determine the most interesting features and how games garner good scores. Weak storytelling and lacklustre in-game graphics had little impact, but pricing the game …