Soren Johnson (Part I) — Building Civilization Through 4X Design, Bridging Digital and Physical Gaming, Navigating the Evolving TCG Landscape, and Crafting Games for Varied Playtimes (#49)
Player feedback and involvement are crucial for game development and improvement.
Game designers need to balance having a strong vision with being open to changing direction based on evidence and player feedback.
Engaging with the gaming community through modding and communication enhances the success and longevity of a game.
Challenging core assumptions and embracing constraints can lead to innovative and memorable game design.
Deep dives
Civ4 Development Journey
The summary covers the journey of Soren Johnson as he leads the development of Sid Meier's Civilization IV. He prioritizes changes and improvements based on player feedback, pushing for multiplayer first and moddability. The summary also highlights the challenge of playtesting a game as massive as Civ and the importance of external player feedback. The summary emphasizes the balance between having a strong vision and being open to changing direction based on evidence.
Simplification and Optimization
Soren Johnson believes in simplifying game mechanics to optimize the fun factor. For example, he introduced an overflow feature in Civ4 to prevent players from overanalyzing choices and wasting production units. He also discusses the importance of considering the player experience and testing with the actual target audience, learning from player feedback, and the need for a balance between having a big ego and a small ego when making design decisions.
The Paradox of Designing Games
Soren Johnson discusses the paradoxical nature of game design, where having a big ego is crucial to push for innovative ideas and challenge conventional thinking, while also having a small ego to accept that some ideas may be wrong and iterate based on player feedback. He highlights the importance of being open-minded, taking responsibility for one's decisions, and being willing to admit when changes need to be made.
The Role of Community and Early Access
Soren Johnson emphasizes the importance of developer-player communication and the value of involving the community in the development process. He shares examples of how he engaged with the community for Civ4, releasing the source code, and granting access to early versions to gather feedback. Leveraging community expertise and passion greatly contributed to the success of the game.
The Power of Modding and Community in Game Design
Modding and community-based creation in games offers players the opportunity to create their own games within the existing play space. It allows for customization and personalization, catering to niche interests and preferences. Modding also fosters a strong sense of community, where players can share their creations, collaborate, and build upon each other's work. While some games may have limitations in terms of modding due to their business models or design constraints, it is crucial for developers to be open-minded and responsive to player feedback and preferences. Modding can breathe new life into a game, offering players novel experiences and keeping the game fresh and engaging.
Designing Games to Challenge Core Assumptions
Challenging core assumptions in game design can lead to innovative and unique experiences. By questioning established conventions and experimenting with different mechanics or concepts, designers can create games that stand out from the crowd. This can involve reimagining established genres or formats and exploring new possibilities. It is important for designers to be open to new ideas and to listen to their players, as they may discover unexpected and exciting paths to take their games. Bold design choices and a willingness to think outside the box can lead to groundbreaking and memorable games.
Designing Games with Constraints and Innovation in Mind
Designing games with constraints can spur creativity and innovation. Constraints force designers to think critically and find novel solutions to overcome limitations. By embracing constraints, such as time limits or specific design choices, designers can push the boundaries of their creativity and create unique gameplay experiences. Constraints can also help focus the design process and prevent feature creep or unnecessary complexity. Finding the right balance between satisfying player expectations and introducing new and exciting elements is key to successful game design with constraints.
Soren Johnson is a legend in the gaming industry. He was one of the designers on Civilization III and the lead designer for Civilization IV at Firaxis Games. He co-founded his own company called Mohawk Games. As the studio’s founder and lead designer, he aimed to create strategy games emphasizing player agency, complexity, and meaningful decision-making. We discuss 4x game design, player interaction, and how modding affects the digital gaming world. The two of us had so much fun discussing games that the episode needed to be broken into two parts. So, enjoy part one of Think Like A Game Designer with Soren Johnson.
