Episode 28: Tracy Fullerton is a pioneering game designer, educator, and USC Games Program Director emeritus. The conversation covers Tracy's extensive career in game design, her creation of the game 'Walden,' and her unique approach to blending philosophy with gameplay.

Tracy opens up about the decade-long development of 'Walden,' the challenges and joys of translating Thoreau's philosophies into an immersive experience, and her experiences mentoring the next generation of game designers.

We talk about why you shouldn't say "No," the intricacies of player emotional experience goals, and the importance of being a passionate and generous designer.

Check out Tracy's Resources:
https://www.waldengame.com/
https://www.gameinnovationlab.com/
https://www.thenightjourney.com/
https://www.tracyfullerton.com/
https://gameinnovationlab.itch.io/walden
https://www.gamedesignworkshop.com

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(00:00) - Introduction to the Podcast
(01:27) - Meet Tracy Fullerton
(04:01) - Tracy's Early Gaming Experiences
(07:58) - The Birth of Spiderdance
(12:44) - Creating Walden, a Game
(20:01) - Challenges and Persistence
(24:44) - Pricing Strategy and Educational Impact
(29:15) - Launching on Multiple Platforms
(29:28) - Impact of COVID on Game Launches
(30:09) - International Reach and Localization Challenges
(31:47) - Player Feedback and Diverse Audience
(32:22) - Teaching First-Person Game Mechanics
(36:28) - The Night Journey Collaboration
(43:01) - Mentoring and Teaching Game Design
(48:37) - Balancing Passion Projects and Career
(52:48) - Game Design Workshop 20th Anniversary
(57:35) - Conclusion and Contact Information

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Check out our brainy games:

Sumplete - https://sumplete.com
Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.com
Mathler - https://mathler.com
Crosswordle - https://crosswordle.com
Sudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.com
Hitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.com
Wordga - https://wordga.com

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