© Chia Ying Yang

Inappropriate InspirationsHow “Grown-Up” Media Can

Inspire Great Kids Games

Carla Fisher, Ed.D.No Crusts Interactive

INPlay 2013

Huh?

Seriously. You’ve been warned.

Cards Against Humanity

• Fun factor: Tears will be shed• Pleasure level: Mostly happy

with periods of vaguely uncomfortable

• Social:

• Very social and open-ended game• Released under Creative Commons• Option to make your own cards• Expansion packs that allows you to grow the

collection• Incredibly well-balanced game -- fun for 4 people

as well as 12 people. Also balances happiness with periods of awkwardness.

DrawQuest: What’s under the bed?

DrawQuest: What’s under the bed?

DrawQuest: What’s under the bed?

DrawQuest: What’s under the bed?

DrawQuest: What’s under the bed?

vs

How do you design co-play for different skill levels?

“Girlfriend modes”

Super Mario Galaxy

Dead Runner

Thomas Was Alone

Hardest Game Ever 2

(This is g-rated for the app…)

• Dialogic play – connect over games• Cooperative level design• “Dual premise” game mechanics• Automated scaffolding• Creating and sharing content

• Provide data for strategic play• Create emotion through sound, level

design, pace, writing• Tell stories

• Even through tutorials• Use native device functionality• Stupid hard game design can still be

engaging

• Cards Against Humanity• Bout• DrawQuest• Fingle• Slice HD• Left 4 Dead• Borderlands 2• Halo 3 (feature no longer available)• Kowa-Oto• Dead Runner• Dear Esther• Thomas Was Alone• Leisure Suit Larry• Hardest Game Ever and sequels• Zombies, Run!• I’d Cap That

Appropriate InnovationInappropriate Inspirations

© Andre Chinn

You were warned.

@NoCrustsCarla@NoCrusts.com

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