Designing from the Inside Out

The keynote I gave at TableTop Network just went up today. If you're interested in the importance of emotion in game design and empathy as a design skill, check it out:

What’s the difference between a good and a great game? Often it’s the depth of the emotional response that it generates. But how do you know when your game is effective? Learn more about the importance of emotion in game design, empathy as a game design skill, and a technique for determining whether you’re on the right track when you design games to solicit an emotional response.

Resources

• Research Log – Sample

• Research Log – Template

• Punch List – Template

References

• Emotions Revealed by Paul Ekman

• Empathy: Why it Matters and How to Get It by Roman Krznaric

• Empathy Engines by Elizabeth Sampat

• MDA: a Formal Approach to Game Design and Game Research by Robin Hunicke, Marc LeBlanc, Robert Zubek

About TableTop Network

Tabletop Network is an annual gathering of tabletop game designers, dedicated to honing the craft of game design. Tickets to the 2020 conference will be on sale soon. Learn more at: https://www.tabletopnetwork.com