Month: March 2015

When getting ready to play a new game, how are you supposed to know how to play it? Maybe you have a basic understanding of the game, but how are you supposed to know what all of the buttons do? Where to go? What to do? It’s a principle known as conveyance, and it’s something developers can easily take for granted, but has a huge impact on players’ overall experience.

Plus, game designer Seth Gorden stops by to share his experiences with conveyance. We discuss various techniques (such as tutorials), how different genres have different conveyance needs, and games that got it right… and wrong!

gamedesignpodcast_s1e04.mp3

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It’s 2015, and platformers are still a thing – a big thing! With hugely successful titles in recent years like Super Meat Boy, Trine, and Shovel Knight, why is it that platformers are still thriving today? Do they simply appeal to nostalgia, or are there underlying design elements that make them timeless and compelling?

Plus, GamerGiving co-hosts Murphy and Problems stop by for an in-depth discussion on the design of Shovel Knight. We talk about what makes it great – from the tension it creates by dropping your money upon death, to being just difficult enough to make you respect it without being too frustrating.

gamedesignpodcast_s1e03.mp3

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This week, we dive into an important game design topic: balance. Games with overpowered characters, weapons, classes, towers, loadouts, etc. can make the experience horrible for those playing it. They render the player’s decision making skills meaningless, fail to reward players for their individuality and analytical skills, and can ultimately destroy the community around them.

However, are games better if all elements are equally balanced? Can a game in which all elements are perfectly balanced be as bad as a game in which they’re not balanced at all? Andrew Roznovsky stops by to share his thoughts, and talk about how balance has affected games like Starcraft, Street Fighter, and Halo.

gamedesignpodcast_s1e02.mp3

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