How A.I. Will Change Gaming — Intentionally Blank Ep. 179
Nov 6, 2024
auto_awesome
In this engaging conversation, fantasy author Brian McClellan joins Brandon Sanderson to dive into the world of gaming. They reminisce about the comfort of 'Valheim' during the pandemic, contrasting it with 'Ark: Survival Evolved.' The duo tackles the competitive gaming industry, questioning the monopolistic grip of tech giants. They also explore the thrilling future of AI in games, envisioning chatbots as dynamic NPCs. With a touch of nostalgia, they share their favorite S-tier games and the joy of exploration versus linear storytelling.
Valheim offers a unique blend of relaxation and engagement, allowing players to build, explore, and defeat bosses in a casual environment.
The need for adaptive difficulty in games, particularly strategy titles, can enhance player experience by personalizing challenges based on performance.
Deep dives
Valheim: A Viking Adventure
Valheim is celebrated as a standout survival game that emerged during the pandemic, providing solace and companionship for players. The game features a relaxing ambiance where players can build their Viking houses and explore a procedurally generated world filled with various biomes. As players advance, they are tasked with defeating bosses in different biomes, offering a sense of purpose while remaining casual and low-stress. Its unique atmosphere, combined with the freedom to pause the game and choose who joins your online server, sets it apart from other survival games.
Innovative Mobile Gaming: Bellatro
Bellatro is described as a poker hand roguelike that combines elements of traditional card games with a unique progression system. Players use a poker deck to create hands, with the values translating into damage points against bosses, making strategic card play crucial for success. As players defeat bosses, they earn money to upgrade their decks with powerful jokers and other enhancements, contributing to the game's replayability. This innovative concept exemplifies how simple mechanics can lead to an engaging and fun gameplay experience.
The Evolution of Video Game Difficulty
The discussion highlights the inadequacies of traditional video game difficulty settings, especially in strategy games like Civilization. The suggestion is to adopt a more dynamic approach to difficulty that adapts based on player performance, similar to systems seen in roguelikes. By introducing varying advantages and disadvantages with each playthrough, games could provide a more tailored and rewarding experience. This shift towards a more personalized difficulty could enhance player engagement and enjoyment, rekindling that sense of wonder associated with discovering new gameplay mechanics.
Brandon Sanderson and special guest Brian McClellan chat about the world of game design, there favorite video games in general, and how the gaming industry seems to be headed.
Want to send me something to open? Dragonsteel Entertainment ATTN: Adam P.O Box 698 American Fork, UT 84003
Stay up to date by following my newsletter: https://brandonsanderson.us10.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=7d056bb7596a3e617f82004b2&id=fa68f14db0
Interested in signed books and swag? Check here: https://www.dragonsteelbooks.com/
You can also follow me on: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorbrandonsanderson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandSanderson Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandSanderson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandsanderson/?hl=en Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/mistbornbrandon