Why are games so deeply engaging? What psychological principles make game design such a powerful tool for shaping attention, emotion, and learning?
Game design is not a niche skill. It's one of the most refined disciplines we have for designing attention, emotion, and motivation. If you're designing anything for people, game design can sharpen your craft.
This episode reveals how the craft of game design can teach us to build more immersive, emotionally resonant experiences. Whether you're designing products, learning experiences, or interactive systems, the lessons from games can help you design for joy, focus, and transformation.
About Our Guest:
Jesse Schell is a legendary figure in game design. He’s designed games for Disney, pioneered virtual reality, built theme park attractions, created award-winning educational games, and teaches at Carnegie Mellon’s Entertainment Technology Center. His book, The Art of Game Design, is one of the most widely recommended texts in the field.
What You'll Hear:
- Why game designers focus on creating experiences, not just products
- The surprising power of introspection in understanding users
- How "toy-first" thinking leads to more meaningful play
- The science behind flow and how it keeps players engaged
- How to use emotional arcs and tension-release patterns in your designs
- Why gamification often fails—and what to do instead
- The psychology of challenge, curiosity, and fun
- What designers in other fields can borrow from games
Questions Explored:
- What is the difference between a toy and a game?
- How do we design for emotional resonance?
- Can introspection really be a reliable design method?
- What does it mean to balance choices and desires?
- Why is iteration crucial to creating fun?
Key Takeaways:
- Games are machines for generating experiences. That means the psychology of the player is central to every design decision.
- Designers must understand not just what people do—but why they feel, focus, and engage.
- Play is not trivial. It's one of the most powerful modes of learning and transformation.
- Flow, balance, and emotional arcs aren't just game design tools—they're experience design tools.
To make things more engaging, don’t just "gamify"—design for meaningful engagement.
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