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Games, Life, and Pursuit of Excellence
21 Episodes
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(Some information was lost. Someone keeps hacking the site. Apologies, I think)
So he asked, “Are you still a fan of the Purple Cow?†Game dev students were asking the same question, from Virginia to Detroit. It’s a simple question, without a simple answer. This episode gets zen on Purple Cows, via three of my heroes: Will Wright, Jonathan Blow, and Ira Glass.
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Purple Cow
What about Not Original?
Originality is Hard
The Bubble – New Ideas
The Game Design Zen Podcast is the intersection of games, life, and the pursuit of excellence. It is the #1 resource for Game developers, artists, and designers including the art, science, and business of developing better games. Level up to zen!
(Why do people hack educational podcasts? I cannot imagine)
Years ago, my boss asked, “How do you get all that stuff done?” Then, last week, my friend asked a similar question. And I realized, I didn’t have an answer. So I thought about it – podcasts, an indie business, and a family, on top of a full-time job. This episode is the answer – three tips for getting things done.
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Focus (3:00)
Quality of Work (7:15)
Habits (19:40)
The Game Design Zen Podcast is the intersection of games, life, and the pursuit of excellence. It is the #1 resource for Game developers, artists, and designers including the art, science, and business of developing better games. Level up to zen!
I broke my own rule! A few weeks ago, I shared a project I was working on, before it was really ready. And after that, I kept putting off creating the video that I needed to get my project on Steam. Week after week, I did nothing, because I was afraid. This episode is about overcoming fear.
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Breaking My Own Rule (00:35)
Getting onto Steam Greenlight
Overcoming Fear!
Topic – Start With Something Small (05:30)
From A to B, via Z
The Path – Little Steps
The Power of Community
Topic – Set A Hard Deadline (14:20)
Let’s Ride Bikes
From Closet to Bedroom
Zen Moment (21:10)
Success Begets Success
The Game Design Zen Podcast is the intersection of games, life, and the pursuit of excellence. It is the #1 resource for Game developers, artists, and designers including the art, science, and business of developing better games. Level up to zen!
What about the business? Kenzai asked what it meant to start a business. So, this episode goes zen – covering everything from becoming an indie, to money, to products. It even discusses why you need a Purple Cow.
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Kenzai’s Challenge (00:35)
My Journey To Indie
Topic – Start Your Business (04:50)
The Legal Stuff
Going Solo
Topic – Money (7:50)
Costs
Cashflow
Write Offs
Topic – Products (15:00)
Makes The Business
Zen Moment (20:00)
The Purple Cow
The Game Design Zen Podcast is the intersection of games, life, and the pursuit of excellence. It is the #1 resource for Game developers, artists, and designers including the art, science, and business of developing better games. Level up to zen!
Will you forget this? It’s a Purple Cow
What must you know? At a recent game challenge, I met Matt Trobbiani, the creator of HackNet. After I got to know him, I thought itâ€d be fun to invite him on as a guest. To ensure that Game Design Zen stays zen, I recorded this for him. Itâ€s three things we should all know.
Games Competition (00:35)
Matt Trobbiani – Creator of HackNet (01:45)
Guests vs Interviews (03:00)
A Connection – Like a New Hire (05:00)
Yes … And (7:00)
A Knife In the Back
No Buts!
Working Together in Everything
Interest Curve (13:45)
Series of Spikes – image below (15:30)
Jesse Schell – Art of Game Design (17:00)
Story (18:00)
“How Come You Never Talk About Story?” (20:20)
Tell To Win – Peter Guber
Question/Challenge
Emotional Struggle
Galvanizing Conclusion (with a Twist)
Zen Moment (26:10)
This means you!
The Game Design Zen Podcast is the intersection of games, life, and the pursuit of excellence. It is the #1 resource for Game developers, artists, and designers including the art, science, and business of developing better games. Level up to zen!
The interest curve – initial spike, rising spikes, and a climax (ending immediately afterwards)
Ready for SEASON TWO?!? It’s a new year, with exciting changes in the works. To kick it off, let’s start with two giants!
Theyâ€re at odds. The Indie giant, Jonathan Blow, argues that simpler is better, in almost all cases. Design guru, Brett Victor, argues for sophisticated real-time design tools. This episode digs deep, to find a winner.
Check Out My Code! (00:35)
What Is An Amateur?
Brett Victor vs Jonathan Blow
Brett Victor (08:00)
Inventing On Principle
The Gratitude Habit
Jonathan Blow (13:45)
Maximizing Resources
Zen Moment (26:10)
The winner is – The customer!
The Game Design Zen Podcast is the intersection of games, life, and the pursuit of excellence. It is the #1 resource for Game developers, artists, and designers including the art, science, and business of developing better games. Level up to zen!
What about failure? Your greatest ideas donâ€t live up to your expectations. You havenâ€t conquered the world. And yet, as Ira Glass says, your taste is killer. This is the season one finale of Game Design Zen – you wonâ€t want to miss it. Happy Holidays!
Andrew’s Story – Frustration, Feedback Friday, and Freaking Out (00:35)
Season Finale (04:00)
Failure (7:00)
Freaking Out
“If you’re not falling down, you’re not improving”
The Fiery Crucible
Platforms are Different (14:45)
iOS vs Android vs Steam
Good Sex, Great Marriage
Challenge Yourself (22:05)
Your Taste is Killer (Ira Glass)
The Gauntlet
Deliberate Practice – Dr. Anders Ericcson
Zen Moment (25:20)
The Journey
Star Wars – Pucumir Thryss – Anagram of me!
Try, Improve, and Repeat
I’m part of the Star Wars universe!
The Game Design Zen Podcast is the intersection of games, life, and the pursuit of excellence. It is the #1 resource for Game developers, artists, and designers including the art, science, and business of developing better games. Level up to zen!
Game Design Zen : Episode 014
Fallout 4?! Some predicted – game of the century. Some predicted – not my cup of tea. And for some, like me, it was our first exposure to the Fallout franchise. I didnâ€t know what to expect. Now, fifty hours in – let’s get zen!
Because … Fallout 4! (00:35)
I/ITSECÂ M&S Conference
My First Fallout (02:45)
Podcast Beyond – IGNÂ – Max (against) and Jarred (pro), Ep 418. My apologies!
Flow (4:45)
The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly
Choice (14:20)
The Good (16:00)
The Bad (18:05)
Interest Curve – AHA! (25:00)
Character Selection, Power Suits, and Companions
Weather, Plot, and Story
Da Shiznit! (28:30)
Zen Moment (31:00)
The Clear Vision
Mystery Box
The Game Design Zen Podcast is the intersection of games, life, and the pursuit of excellence. It is the #1 resource for Game developers, artists, and designers including the art, science, and business of developing better games. Level up to zen!
1Game Design Zen : Episode 013
Iâ€ve been struggling to tell a story. Weeks of nights staring at the ceiling with ideas swirling in my head. It demanded to be told. Until finally, today, I did the whole thing in one take. This special episode is the story of being a Make-A-Wish father. Happy Thanksgiving!
The sideways glance, with wave, is for the entire auditorium, who is on their feet.
The Story Demanded To Be Told (00:35)
19 Years Ago – Kayla is Born (03:38)
The Children’s Hospital of King’s Daughters (CHKD) (04:55)
The Most Important Night of my Life (11:00)
When I Was Wrong (17:50)
To Be A Nurse (24:25)
The Power of Will (33:45)
Kayla’s Voice (35:20)
Make-A-Wish – Kayla Bear (37:35)
A Thanksgiving Wish of Gratitude (40:25)
Kayla’s ballerina wish was selected by the Make-A-Wish Foundation to become the Kayla Bear.
The Game Design Zen Podcast is the intersection of games, life, and the pursuit of excellence. It is the #1 resource for Game developers, artists, and designers including the art, science, and business of developing better games. Level up to zen!
Game Design Zen : Episode 012
I’d waited months for Rock Band 4 to arrive. And when it did, the guitar didn’t work! Find out what happens as we explore the recipe for Simplicity in games.
Rock Band 4 (01:00)
Ikea Effect – Dan Ariely (07:00)
A Recipe For Simplicity (09:10)
“100 ways to simplify life†(11:00)
Simplicity recipe (13:00)
Core – “Your garden is not complete until thereâ€s nothing else you can remove†- Will Wright
Limited Choice – Barry Schwartz – Paradox of Choice & Destiny (15:00)
Intuitive – Block 64. Hearthstone. (17:00)
Players†Perspective (20:20)
Civilization – Sid Meier
CLIP (25:00)
Zen Moment – Bushnellâ€s Law - (29:00)
“Easy to Learn, Difficult to Masterâ€
The Game Design Zen Podcast is the intersection of games, life, and the pursuit of excellence. It is the #1 resource for Game developers, artists, and designers including the art, science, and business of developing better games. Level up to zen!
Game Design Zen : Episode 011
Who will win? We’re just days away from seeing if SKT will once away be crowned champs as they take on new comers, Koo Tigers. So with eyes turned toward Korea, let’s have our own battle - League of Legends versus Heroes of the Storm.
A Surprise Visit to Korea (00:40)
League of Legends Versus Heroes of the Storm (05:40)
Why? (10:00)
Quality – AAA (11:05)
Mechashark Versus MegaShark
Graphics, Marketing, Technology
Design (13:30)
Flow, Paradox of Choice, Habit Loops
Differentiators (15:45)
Frustration (17:20)
Last Hitting, Skill, Game Length (21:00)
Social! (24:00)
The Intrinsic Experience (29:30)
Zen Moment (31:15)
Build What The Customer Wants
The Game Design Zen Podcast is the intersection of games, life, and the pursuit of excellence. It is the #1 resource for Game developers, artists, and designers including the art, science, and business of developing better games. Level up to zen!
Game Design Zen : Episode 010
It never fails. Iâ€m chatting with friends when I stumble across the Newbie Letter. Itâ€s full of wild ideas, crazy ambitions, and most telling, the 5-year plan for a game that is ‘truly unique’. This episode is an open response.
Something Different
The Letter (01:45)
Truly Unique (05:30)
Ira Glass – My Taste Is Killer
We Know What Good Is (08:00)
5 Years of Motivation (09:15)
Making Progress (17:35)
Once We’re Done (18:45)
Don’t Tell
People Can Say What They Want (21:10)
Confirmation Bias
Blink (Malcolm Gladwell)
Think Fast, Think Slow (Daniel Kahneman)
Shut Up and Watch
Zen Moment (25:30)
Anything Can Be Accomplished
Game Design Zen is the intersection of game design, life, and the pursuit of excellence. It is the #1 resource for developers, artists, and designers including the art, science, and business of better games. Level up to zen.
Game Design Zen : Episode 009
What Now? I’ve got a great story, set in a far-distant future. Not sure what to do next. As crazy as it sounds, this happens sometimes. This episode explores what a game is to help us all improve our designs.
Kenzai’s Request – More Conversational (0:40)
League of Legends World Championships (05:15)
“How do I fill this with something exciting?” (06:10)
What is a Game? (08:40)
Ted Brown’s Idea (13:10)
Goals + Mechanics + Feedback
Why We Care – The Definition In Our Head (18:20)
What is a Mechanic? (20:45)
What’s the Player Doing? (22:20)
The Core Mechanic! World of Warcraft + GTAV
Start With One (27:00)
Zen Moment (28:00)
The One Line Elevator Pitch
Game Design Zen is the intersection of game design, life, and the pursuit of excellence. It is the #1 resource for developers, artists, and designers including the art, science, and business of better games. Level up to zen.
Game Design Zen : Episode 008
What do Total Biscuit, Motivation, and the Indiepocalypse have in common? Even after 2 years, I hadnâ€t picked up a next gen console. Until this one, specific game was announced. $750 later it was all about the experience!
Va Tech Hokies, Rock Band, and the PS4 (00:35)
Experience is Everything (5:15)
Destiny (6:00)
GTAV (8:15)
Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Motivation (10:30)
Control, fuzziness, and Chris Hecker (16:30)
Indiepocalypse (18:20)
Total Biscuit on Airscape (19:30)
The Hard Truth – Jeff Vogel (21:00)
The game nobody wanted (22:00)
Build What Your Audience Wants
Zen Moment (24:45)
Shut Up and Watch
Game Design Zen is the intersection of game design, life, and the pursuit of excellence. It is the #1 resource for developers, artists, and designers including the art, science, and business of better games. Level up to zen.
Game Design Zen : Episode 007
Joe challenged me, “balanced difficulty is missing the mark.†And then, he pointed to games like Farmville, city simulators, and Cookie Clicker. He had some good points. He is not your average Joe.
Joe’s Challenge – “Balanced Difficulty is missing the mark” (01:30)
Joe’s Ted Talk
Flow Revisited (03:15)
Not Just Flow (09:00)
Happiness – Accomplishment (09:40)
Martin Seligman -Â Flourish
Winning Can Be Boring (11:20)
Raph Koster – A Theory of Fun (12:00)
Habits (15:30)
Charles Duhigg – Power of Habits
Ziegarnik Effect (18:25)
Zen Moment (26:35)
Accomplishment!
Game Design Zen is the intersection of game design, life, and the pursuit of excellence. It is the #1 resource for developers, artists, and designers including the art, science, and business of better games. Level up to zen.
Game Design Zen : Episode 006
My wife dropped the gauntlet – “6 episodes by Christmas!†This episode explore the gauntlet that leads to building your first game, with some inspiration, practical advice, and real life stories.
My Wife Threw the Gauntlet (02:10)
How To Build Your First Game? (04:45)
The Gauntlet (05:15)
12 Week Challenge
Don’t Tell
One Mechanic (09:50)
Moment To Moment
Technology (15:56)
Juice (16:55)
Marin Jonannson & Petri Purho – Juice It Or Lose It
Audio – BFXR.net
Zen Moment (23:25)
Shia’s – Just Do It
Audio shared with Creative Common’s Attribution License – source -Â https://vimeo.com/125095515
Game Design Zen is the intersection of game design, life, and the pursuit of excellence. It is the #1 resource for developers, artists, and designers including the art, science, and business of better games. Level up to zen.
Game Design Zen : Episode 005
What should I talk about? When I asked my friend, there was no hesitation – “Squares, Circles, and Triangles.†I asked, “Really?†And he answered, “It was my favorite! You said it would change the way I saw the world, and it did.â€
Definitely – Squares, Circles, and Triangles (01:50)
Interest Curve (03:08)
First Idea -Â 8, 8, 8, … (05:18)
Second Idea – 1, 2, 3, … 9, 10 (06:15)
Initial Spike (07:10)
God of War 3 – Kratos vs Poseidon (09:20)
Convexity (10:35)
Quests in World of Warcraft
Squares, Circles, and Triangles (14:36)
Chris Solarski – Aesthetics of Game Art and Game Design
Circle (16:18)
Square (17:15)
Triangle (17:45)
See It In The Music (20:05)
Zen Spot – J J Abrams – Mystery Box (25:50)
Game Design Zen is the intersection of game design, life, and the pursuit of excellence. It is the #1 resource for developers, artists, and designers including the art, science, and business of better games. Level up to zen.
The interest curve – initial spike, rising spikes, and a climax (ending immediately afterwards)
Game Design Zen : Episode 004
What is our most important skill? Though we need creativity, logic, and business, the path to excellence is the rocket surgery of Story, Yes And, and Charisma. This episode tackles practical ways to communicate better.
Building Games is the new Rocket Surgery (00:45)
Dunning Kruger – Unskilled and Unaware (03:25)
Listening & Jesse Schell (04:40)
Tell Me (05:30)
Yes And (08:00)
Story (18:30)
Question/Challenge
Emotional Struggle
Galvanizing Conclusion (preferably with a twist)
Charisma (25:40)
Nod Less (and slower)
Pause
Down Notes
Game Design Zen is the intersection of game design, life, and the pursuit of excellence. It is the #1 resource for developers, artists, and designers including the art, science, and business of better games. Level up to zen.
Game Design Zen : Episode 003
How can you level up? Whether breaking in, or looking for the next opportunity, we pursue excellence through deliberate practice – building a portfolio of finished projects. Stand apart, improve, and level up.
The Hiring Perspective (02:30)
Joel on Software – Smart and Gets Things Done
Luck (05:30) – Lucky Luck and Prepared for Opportunity
Networking (06:50)
Portfolio (08:45)
Dropping the Gauntlet (12:15)
What Gets In Our Way (18:00)
Perfection
Sunk Cost Fallacy
Loss Aversion
Art, Coding, and The Design Guy (23:45)
The Dream (26:25)
Zen Spot – College or Not? (28:25)
Game Design Zen is the intersection of game design, life, and the pursuit of excellence. It is the #1 resource for developers, artists, and designers including the art, science, and business of better games. Level up to zen.
Game Design Zen : Episode 002
What is the one thing you must know? When we play games, we become so involved in the activity that nothing else seems to matter. Minutes can be so intense they feel like an hour, and yet, hours can fly by in minutes. That experience is flow, and itâ€s the reason we play. In this episode, we discuss what flow is, why it matters, and the simple recipe we can use to promote it in our games. Then, we discuss a brand new visualization that makes it easier to remember : Flow Space.
What Flow Looks Like (01:25)
The State of Flow (04:00)
Clear Goals (08:40) – Explicit, Implicit, Player Driven Goals
Feedback (14:40)
Balanced Difficulty (18:00)
No Distractions (21:45)
Zen Spot – Flow Space (25:00)
Game Design Zen is the intersection of game design, life, and the pursuit of excellence. It is the #1 resource for all things Game Design including the science, art, and business of developing better games. There is always room to level up.
The Flow Diagram
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