The Art of Game Designand the pleasure revolution

Jesse SchellCQA Chicago - 2011

TV

Groceries

Reality TV

Organic Groceries

Big Mac Angus Burger

+10!

+20!+20!

+10!

+10!

+5!

+45! +500!

+200!

+50!

+100!+50!+30!

+10! +10!+10!+10!+10!

+500!

+100!

+100!

+

+2700!

+2000!+5000!

+9000!

+5!

+1000!

+30!

+100!+30!

+10!

+5!

+25! +75! +300!

+30!

+30!

+200+50!

Choco-fication!

Rewards can Backfire

Self-Determination Theory

Competence Autonomy RelatednessI want to be

good at what I do!

I want freedom!

I want to connect to

others!

“Work consists of whatever a body is obliged to do, and play consists of whatever a body is not obliged to do.”- Mark Twain

“Hafta” “Wanna”

Slavery Freedom

Duty FunWork Play

Efficiency Pleasure

Internalization

• Extrinsic– External: Cuz I’ll get $5– Introjected: Cuz I’ll feel bad if I don’t– Identified: Cuz its important– Integrated: Cuz that’s who I am

• Intrinsic: – Cuz I feel like it!

Pleasure is POWERFUL

Games are special because…

• They are interactive• They are designed

ENTIRELY for pleasure

Games provide:

• Clear Feedback• A Sense of Progress• The Possibility of Success• Mental and Physical Exercise• A Chance to Satisfy Your Curiosity• A Chance to Solve a Problem• A Feeling of Freedom

GamifyPleasurize

Pleasure is COMPLEX

Pleasure is… CONTEXTUAL

Pleasure is… CONTEXTUAL

Sensation

Fantasy

DiscoveryLaughter

Story

Challenge

Thrill

Triumph

Expression

You CAN make your experiences better

• Ask yourself these simple questions:– Given what I know about

my guests…– Why will they like this

experience?– How can I get them to like

it more?

Technology Psychology

Quantitative Analysis

Thanks!Slides: jesseschell.comTwitter: @jesseschell

Email: jesse@schellgames.com