The Game Design Round Table #251 David McDonough Supports the Player’s Story
Jan 19, 2021
David McDonough, Firaxis designer specializing in strategy game design, discusses player stories vs game stories, sandbox games vs historical simulations, and how to encourage immersion in player stories. Many games, including Civilization and XCOM, are covered.
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Introduction
00:00 • 2min
The Importance of Player's Story in Game Design
02:17 • 27min
Designing Games for Storytelling and Player Immersion
29:16 • 17min
The Oregon Trail Dynamic and Designing a Historic War Game
46:34 • 5min
Reflecting on Past Mistakes and the Importance of Playtesting
52:00 • 1min
Exploring Affinity Design Choices in Civ Beyond Earth
53:29 • 5min
The Importance of Emotional Maneuvers in Game Design
58:39 • 3min