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Episode Name:
Designing Emotionally-Driven Games
Episode Description:
Many games are fun, but few stay with us after the credits roll. So today, we’re going to dive into how indie devs can use game mechanics, narrative, and aesthetic choices to create emotional resonance and meaning in their titles. From narrative tools to methods that focus on player empathy, we unpack the secrets behind making games that create a lasting impact.
Q?Box Round Answers
Biggest gaming pet peeve?
“Clementine will remember that.”
Name one thing that motivates you every day?
My family.
What game are you playing now?
I’m replaying Outer Wilds as part of an upcoming talk.
TIPS and ADVICE
We covered quite a bit today. Could you list 3 suggestions or tips you would recommend to indie devs based on our discussion?
- Don’t be afriad of ambi
- Do a lot of pre-production
- Find the community in which you can bounce ideas off of
RESOURCES and LINKS
How to get in touch with Nicholas O’Brien
Website:
http://essay-games.com/
http://essaygames.itch.io/
E-mail: nicholas@essay-games.com
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/essaygames.bsky.social
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-o-brien-essaygames/
OTHER SOURCES:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5K0uqhxgsE Jonas Tyroller
Tracy Fullerton’s Book, Game Design Workshop