DiscoverPlaymakers - The Game Industry PodcastWhat Games Truly Are, with Tadhg Kelly
What Games Truly Are, with Tadhg Kelly

What Games Truly Are, with Tadhg Kelly

Update: 2021-08-11
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Description

In this episode:

Jordan sits down with Tadhg Kelly, an experienced consultant specializing in augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and video games, with a rich background in game design and production. Tadhg has held significant roles at notable companies like BSkyB, Lionhead Studios, Climax Studios, and Mobile Game Doctor. His work spans a variety of game projects, from board games and live-action role-playing games to large-scale PC games and innovative AR/VR technologies. In this episode, Tadhg shares his journey from game designer to consultant, offering invaluable insights into the industry's evolution and the lessons he has learned along the way.

Topics covered:

  • Tadhg’s transition from game designer to consultant and the lessons he learned along the way
  • Understanding the "Sexy/Worthy Trap" and how to use it to your advantage in game design
  • Balancing speed-to-market against feature development in game projects
  • The benefit of having diverse skill sets in the gaming industry
  • Common mistakes made in the early stages of game development
  • The value of letting your game developer do their job

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Timestamps:

[03:04 ] Tadhg’s journey from game designer to consultant

[06:15 ] Lessons learned from working on various game projects

[09:47 ] Examples of “cliff projects” and challenges in game development

[13:00 ] Consulting and transitioning from traditional game development

[17:19 ] The “Sexy / Worthy Trap” and how it influences successful games

[22:27 ] Simple mistakes in the early stages of game development

[24:06 ] Why assumptions about gameplay and player psychology can lead to failure

[26:57 ] The importance of being “sexy” rather than “worthy” in game development

[30:09 ] Writing game design documentation and focusing on the user experience

[36:30 ] Lessons from working on platforms like OUYA and Magic Leap

[44:43 ] Tadhg’s thoughts on consulting and what’s next in the game industry


Resources & media mentioned in this episode:

Connect with Tadhg:


Games & companies mentioned:

  • Lionhead Studios
  • Climax Studios
  • Sky Games
  • OUYA
  • Magic Leap
  • EverQuest (Daybreak Games)
  • Among Us (Innersloth)
  • Minecraft (Mojang)
  • Farmville (Zynga)
  • World of Warcraft (Blizzard Entertainment)

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What Games Truly Are, with Tadhg Kelly

What Games Truly Are, with Tadhg Kelly

Jordan Blackman