GDC 2025 Session Viewer
Independent Games Summit: Comedy Through Patterns (How to Structure a Funny Video Game)
Tanat Boozayaangool (Independent Game Developer, Tan Ant Games)
Pass Type: All Access Pass, Summits Pass, Indie Games Summit Pass - Get your pass now!
Track: Independent Games
Format: Lecture
Vault Recording: TBD
Audience Level: All
Have you ever wondered what makes a video game funny? (Spoiler: it's not puns).
In this talk, the developer behind Building Relationships dissects humor through an analytical lens to explain comedy fundamentals and demonstrate how they're applied throughout the game. The speaker argues that comedy doesn't just come from writing, but also from the structure it exists in. The talk examines the approach behind Building Relationships and presents case studies of other games to explore how comedy is supported by various disciplines (i.e. level design, music, narrative design, etc.).
Building Relationships is a silly adventure game where players take the role of a house that's on a date with a building. Described as "A Short Hike, but stupid", this game is a barrage of absurdist comedy fueled by improv sensibilities. Hidden behind its comedic facade, the game conveys a heartfelt story about what it takes to stay alive.
Takeaway
Attendees will leave with a different perspective on humor, reinforcing their comedic instincts through a stronger understanding of fundamentals. This talk will not teach attendants "how to be funny", but aims to empower them to better structure a game in support of their own comedy stylings.
Intended Audience
This session is open for game developers with an affinity towards comedy, but is targeted at smaller, multidisciplinary teams looking to create an experience with a clear comedic throughline.
No writing or narrative experience necessary, but being somewhat funny can be helpful.
