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10:45am
Matt Stark Sad Owl Studios10:45am - 11:30amSpace 2Viewfinding: From Mechanic to Game
Thursday 14th November10:45am - 11:30amSpace 2After a video of my experimental game mechanic went viral in 2020, I started creating a game around the mechanic. This game would eventually become Viewfinder. In this talk I’ll be discussing the process of building a game around a single mechanic, and the various design challenges we faced in turning Viewfinder’s picture mechanic into a game.
Session Takeaway
- How to approach the challenge of creating a game from a single mechanic
- How to investigate and account for the strengths and weaknesses of a game mechanic
- How to build upon a game mechanic, creating gameplay and supporting mechanics
11:45am
Nigel Twumasi mayamada11:45am - 12:30pmSpace 8Don’t Forget the Story: The Power of Video Game Narratives
Thursday 14th November11:45am - 12:30pmSpace 8In this talk, mayamada co-founder Nigel Twumasi will delve into the "why?" of stories and explain how powerful they can be to any game being made today. We'll explore the value of well-told stories in video games, arguing that they should always be a crucial consideration for developers of all types and sizes.
Video games have evolved far beyond solely mechanical experiences with stories tacked on. Whilst player agency will always distinguish games from other storytelling mediums, this hasn't prevented them from becoming powerful vehicles for compelling narratives that extend far beyond a sprinkling of cutscenes. From heavily guided narrative-driven games to player-created stories, we'll discover how narratives build emotional connections, helping the best examples stand out in a crowded market.
Nigel is the lead writer for the mayamada manga universe, organiser of the "Do I Look Like A Gamer?" representation campaign, and a storytelling consultant. This session will also examine lessons learned from mayamada's own storytelling experiences in addition to insights from other media to learn how video games can continue pushing their narratives and player experiences forward.
Video games thrive when they tell compelling stories, and we can learn much from well-executed examples in the medium. This includes authentically delivered narratives, diverse character representation, and the inclusion of varied experiences—both in the games themselves and within development teams making them.
We'll discuss practical steps for teams to consider and implement when it comes to narrative design. By the end of this session, you'll understand why storytelling is not just an add-on, but a core component that can elevate your game's impact and player engagement. We value open, honest dialogue, so the session will conclude with a Q&A, encouraging further discussion on the effective implementation of stories in video games.
Session Takeaway
- Understand how considering story and game mechanics together can enhance the player experience.
- Recognise the marketing potential of strong, emotionally resonant video game stories.
- Discover strategies for implementing narrative in your game beyond conventional cutscenes.
- Learn practical steps to improve narrative design in your development process, including positive approaches and ones to avoid.
2:15pm
Robin Perera Indie Developer2:15pm - 3:00pmSpace 2Let’s Make More Punk Games!
Thursday 14th November2:15pm - 3:00pmSpace 2Punk games do not deny the harshness of reality. Instead, they acknowledge it and the harm that has been done but create something hopeful, realistic, and revolutionary. Punk games must find their expected role in society and sit in the discomfort of the effects while flipping it on their heads. Mistakes are punk!!
Session Takeaway
- How your narrative can subvert and how it perpetuates harmful ideas
- How do you value the player’s time and mindfully show that?
- All games could use a bit more punk sensibilities to their games! Just not all at once.
5:15pm
Amir Didarzadeh Glowmade5:15pm - 6:00pmSpace 8How to Create for Creators: Risks and Opportunities in the UGC Market
Thursday 14th November5:15pm - 6:00pmSpace 8UGC is a huge but relatively recent phenomenon in gaming, and comes with as many challenges as it does opportunities. In this talk I will go in depth and explain some of the pitfalls that brings to design, marketing & production, and how to navigate these to come out on top.
Session Takeaway
- Creators a unique demographic with their own psychological and motivational profile, retaining them requires bespoke design
- Handing the keys to your product to your users is an exciting pitch, but means that you must design a system first and a campaign second
- Testing and validating your product is almost impossible without real users, but you can take inspiration outside gaming from youtube and spotify