"Numbers go up." Scoring 101; Turning off the Gamedev Brain
Oct 3, 2024
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The hosts dive into their educational journeys, balancing passion and traditional learning. There's a delightful discussion on a family game night and insights from a filmmaking class. They explore the different types of scoring systems in games, including experience points and victory points, and the impact on player experience. The conversation reveals the challenges of being both a creator and a consumer while reflecting on empathy in art. Finally, they discuss the perception of game development and its complexities compared to the film industry.
The host emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, highlighting how enrolling in filmmaking classes contributes to personal and professional growth in game development.
The successful introduction of tabletop games to family members illustrates how well-chosen games can enhance social bonds and encourage shared experiences among players.
A deep dive into scoring systems in games reveals their significant influence on player engagement and strategy, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
Deep dives
The Journey of Learning and Commitment
One key insight highlights the speaker’s dedication to personal growth through education, specifically in filmmaking. Despite challenges, including not graduating college, the speaker continues to enroll in classes, demonstrating a commitment to learning for practical benefit rather than merely for a degree. This journey reflects a desire to understand filmmaking techniques and apply them to game development, fostering a deeper understanding of both mediums. The personal stories shared emphasize the importance of pursuing education that aligns with one's interests and experiences.
The Importance of Board Games in Family Engagement
The discussion illustrates the successful experience of introducing tabletop games to family members who typically shy away from gaming. By carefully selecting a game with an engaging theme and inviting parents to participate in the process of setup and rule-reading, the speaker created an inviting atmosphere that led to positive reactions. After initial hesitation, the parents not only enjoyed the game but expressed a desire to play again, showcasing the potential of well-designed games to foster familial connections. This anecdote emphasizes the broader significance of games in facilitating social interactions and shared experiences.
Innovative Game Design Through Scoring Systems
The speaker explores the nuanced aspects of game design, particularly around scoring systems that track player performance. Specific emphasis is placed on experience points and victory points as distinct forms of scores that govern player behavior and overall experience. By analyzing the mathematical principles behind these systems, the speaker reveals how they can influence player strategy and enjoyment, inviting deeper engagement with the game mechanics. This discussion enriches the understanding of how scoring systems function as both a motivator and a guiding framework for gameplay.
Experiencing Game Development Through Film Analysis
Another fascinating point centers around the idea of the 'game dev brain,' which affects how developers consume media, particularly video games. The speaker shares how their background in game development creates a dual perspective when playing games—both enjoying them and critically analyzing their design choices. This perspective often enhances enjoyment by fostering a greater appreciation of the intricate decisions behind game mechanics and narratives. However, it also raises the question of how this analytical lens may diminish the pure enjoyment of the gaming experience.
Understanding the Magic Behind Media
The concluding insights touch upon the metaphor of 'magic' in storytelling and game design, suggesting that understanding the techniques behind a medium can increase appreciation rather than diminish it. The conversation underscores the difference between entertainment and knowledge, positing that knowing how a trick is performed, whether in magic or film, adds depth to the viewer’s experience. Through a comparison between game design and other forms of art, the speaker conveys the idea that uncovering the processes behind media can enrich one's engagement and enjoyment. This perspective encourages a more profound exploration of creativity across various disciplines.
This week, learn about what Ellen was like as a student. Stephen wonders if he’s made a huge mistake, Ellen does some work research, and Mark insists that there is no such thing as magic.
Mark saw the Badger Badger Mushroom song for the first time and was underwhelmed. Consequently, Dale was editing and then also got to see it for the first time, and found that this was the correct response. This video is over 20 years old (2003).
