Casual Game Design 101 Nick Fortugno CoFounderCCO Casual

Casual Game Design 101 Nick Fortugno Co-Founder/CCO

Casual Game Principles

Casual Game Principles • Casual game design is game design.

Casual Game Principles • Casual game design is game design. • General principles of game design apply (core mechanic, meaningful choice, etc. )

Casual Game Principles • Casual game design is game design. • General principles of game design apply (core mechanic, meaningful choice, etc. ) • So what’s the difference in casual game design specifically?

Design Games for Non-Gamers

Design Games for Non-Gamers • The biggest difference is game experience.

Design Games for Non-Gamers • The biggest difference is game experience. • Casual gamers don’t know traditional game conventions.

Design Games for Non-Gamers • Interface

Design Games for Non-Gamers • Interface (Hardcore)

Design Games for Non-Gamers • Interface (Hardcore) – Complex

Design Games for Non-Gamers • Interface (Hardcore) – Complex – Requires Specialized Mastery

Design Games for Non-Gamers • Interface (Hardcore) – Complex – Requires Specialized Mastery

Design Games for Non-Gamers • Interface (Hardcore) – Complex – Requires Specialized Mastery

Design Games for Non-Gamers • Interface (Hardcore) – Complex – Requires Specialized Mastery

Design Games for Non-Gamers • Interface (Casual)

Design Games for Non-Gamers • Interface (Casual) – Intuitive

Design Games for Non-Gamers • Interface (Casual) – Intuitive – Either Mastered Outside of Games or Obvious

Design Games for Non-Gamers • Interface (Casual) – Intuitive – Either Mastered Outside of Games or Obvious

Design Games for Non-Gamers • Interface (Casual) – Intuitive – Either Mastered Outside of Games or Obvious

Design Games for Non-Gamers • Interface (Casual) – Intuitive – Either Mastered Outside of Games or Obvious

Design Games for Non-Hardcore

Design Games for Non-Hardcore • Hardcore gamers are used to failure.

Design Games for Non-Hardcore • Hardcore gamers are used to failure. • Games punish you to teach you how to play.

Design Games for Non-Hardcore • Hardcore gamers are used to failure. • Games punish you to teach you how to play. • Games require dedication.

Design Games for Non-Hardcore

Design Games for Non-Hardcore • Casual gamers are not accustomed to game failure.

Design Games for Non-Hardcore • Casual gamers are not accustomed to game failure. • Therefore, casual games teach more through reward rather than failure.

Design Games for Non-Hardcore • Casual gamers are not accustomed to game failure. • Therefore, casual games teach more through reward rather than failure. • They don’t require dedication for success – that’s why they’re casual.

Design Games for Adults

Design Games for Adults • Kids often have a near infinite amount of time to play.

Design Games for Adults • Kids often have a near infinite amount of time to play. • Adults don’t – they have responsibilities.

Design Games for Adults • Kids often have a near infinite amount of time to play. • Adults don’t – they have responsibilities. • Design games with this in mind.

Design Games for Adults • Make games short and finite.

Design Games for Adults • Make games short and finite. • Make play experiences short and saves common.

Design Games for Adults • Make games short and finite. • Make play experiences short and saves common. • And don’t aim for kids with content either.

Nick Fortugno Co-Founder / CCO nick@rebelmonkey. com