GDC Summer 2020 Session Viewer

Over the last 40 years game design has largely focused on the mechanics of the game itself, rather than the complexity of human players, who bring their own needs, expectations, and interpretations into the game. This is especially apparent today with the dominance of online games and players' increasing social expectations as we struggle to foster healthy player-to-player interactions that bring out the best in our games vs. the worst in our players. To help this talk introduces "Player Dynamics", a design craft to address how player interactions and motivations create and enhance our in-game and meta-game experiences. Already an established part of Riot Games' design department and increasingly at other companies, the talk will focus on the how and why, give applied examples, and equip designers with tools and frameworks to intentionally design for healthier player dynamics, whether launching a new title or improving an old one.

Takeaway

Attendees should be equipped with an understanding of Player Dynamics (PD), the problem space, and how PD supports more successful player interactions that support a games full potential, as well as a toolkit of frameworks and approaches to bring intention into designing for more successful player interactions.

Intended Audience

This talk is aimed at designers or developers interested in the problem of how we can intentionally design for more successful player interactions that enhance our game designs, while creating spaces that better reflect how players connect today. No background in this area is assumed.