The Secret Mechanics

PAX Prime 2012Jesse Schell

A man should learn to detect and watch that gleam of light which flashes across his mind from within... Yet he dismisses

without notice his thought, because it is his. In every work

of genius we recognize our own rejected thoughts: they

come back to us with a certain alienated majesty.

1) Self-Determination Theory

Self-Determination Theory

Competence Autonomy RelatednessI want to be

good at what I do!

I want freedom!

I want to connect to

others!

2) Novelty Seeking

?

SOURCE: Journal of Neuroscience 2001;27

3) Plans

A plan is a real thing.

(Data courtesy EEDAR via Geoff Zatkin)

4) Worlds

Transmedia Worlds EXIST APART

Transmedia Worlds HAVE MANY GATEWAYS

+ =

Mundanes

Imagineers

vs.

Mundane Imagineer

WoWoWW

5) Pleasure Seeking…

…Pain Avoiding

“Hafta” “Wanna”

Slavery Freedom

Duty FunWork Play

Efficiency Pleasure

6) Status

Status and Competition

• Source: DanC, Lost Garden Blog, “Testosterone and Competitive Play”

7) Membership

Email: jesse@schellgames.comWeb: jesseschell.comTwitter: @jesseschell

Slides: slideshare.net/jesseschell

Thanks!