Jon Shafer

Join digital game designer Jon Shafer, co-founder of the show and veteran of Civilization V, as he dives into the buzz around Civilization VII. He discusses innovative elements like contextual nested menus and the evolution of gameplay mechanics. Jon shares insights on balancing accessibility for new players while keeping deep strategies for veterans. He also highlights the impact of visuals in the gaming landscape, and the unique challenges small developers face, all while maintaining optimism for future innovations in strategy games.

Joined by Henrik Fahraeus, Game Director at Paradox Interactive, and Jon Shafer, lead designer of Civilization 5, the discussion takes a deep dive into the art of designing historical strategy games. They explore whether Civ and EU games exist in alternate dimensions and debate the merits of provinces versus hexes. The unique storytelling approach of Crusader Kings 2 captivates as they highlight emergent narratives and navigate the balance between historical accuracy and engaging gameplay. Get ready for insights on diplomacy and the delicate dance of complexity in strategy design!