a16z Podcast Is a Fun, Therapeutic Game Possible?
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Oct 28, 2022 
Vijay Pande, a founding investor in A16Z's Bio and Health Fund, and Jonathan Lai, an expert in gaming and a partner at A16Z's Games Fund, join Olivia Webb to discuss the fusion of games and health. They explore what makes a game enjoyable yet beneficial, tackling the 'healthy dessert' dilemma. Their insights cover the evolution of therapeutic gaming, with a focus on enhancing mental health and community engagement. They also contemplate the exciting future of gaming within the metaverse and Web3, highlighting innovative potential in both gameplay and business models.
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Vijay Pande's Early Games Career
- Vijay Pande worked at Naughty Dog Software as a teenager.
- Naughty Dog, co-founded by his friends, later created popular game series like Uncharted and The Last of Us.
Jon Lai's Background
- Jon Lai has worked in games for over a decade as a developer and publisher.
- He was also pre-med in college, showing an early interest in both gaming and bio.
Core Principles of Game Design
- Games are structured around motivation, mastery, and feedback.
- These principles guide player activity, rule learning, and engagement through iterative loops.