Game Design: Go With Your Gut… Or Not?

Luna JavierCo-Founder and Creative Director

Altitude Games Inc.

Games are a hit-driven industry

Game designers are the directors

We are expected to know what’s best for the game

But the truth is...

We don’t know what we’re doing

Nobody really does

There is no guaranteed formula for success

Designers are captains lost at sea

Which way is land, captain?

It’s THAT way!

If the industry is unpredictable...

How should designers make decisions?

1. Gut

“It’s THAT way!”

Gut comes from experience

Experience

Experience == past

How to have a better gut

Play games

Read articles Go to conferences

But gut is not enough

2. Data

Data gives you a clearer picture

Work closely with your data analysts

1.Ask questionsWhat do you need to know?

2. Get infoPlayer data and behavior

3. Replay your gamePretend to be the player

But gut + data are not enough

3. Testing

Everyone’s idea is equal

You can’t prove any idea without testing

Encourage designers to test their theories

1.PrototypeUsing any tool available

2. PlaytestTeam, company, friends, etc

3. A/B testTestNet, PickFu, Google, FB, etc

How to make better design decisions

GutTheory

DataInformation

TestingValidation

Tip #1: Listen to everyone

...but you still make the call

Tip #2: Do it fast

Luna Javier

THANK YOU!

Co-Founder and Creative DirectorAltitude Games Inc.

luna@altitude-games.com