Patrick Rose - The Science of Why Games Fail (and How to Make Them Fly)

Описание: In this episode, Patrick Rose, a product strategy, retention, and monetization expert, shares insights on game development, industry entry, and the four pillars of game success: user acquisition, accessibility, monetization, and engagement. He also discusses the impact of autonomy, relatedness, and competence on player motivation, and provides examples from popular games like No Man's Sky, Dark Souls, and Candy Crush Saga.

The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including game design, monetization, narrative design, and the psychology of player engagement. It delves into the principles of game development, the impact of external rewards on intrinsic motivation, and the importance of narrative design in creating engaging experiences. The conversation also explores the concept of virality in games and the role of AI in narrative design.

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Takeaways

Understanding the four pillars of game success: user acquisition, accessibility, monetization, and engagement.
The impact of autonomy, relatedness, and competence on player motivation.
Examples of successful game design and player engagement from popular games like No Man's Sky, Dark Souls, and Candy Crush Saga. Competence and flow theory are closely connected, influencing player engagement and game design.
External rewards can diminish intrinsic motivation, impacting player engagement and long-term retention.
Effective monetization involves creating a 'money sponge' system with multiple opportunities for spending, avoiding direct pay-to-win models.
Narrative design with AI empowers developers to focus on the bigger picture, creating engaging and interactive experiences.
The 80/20 rule in game design emphasizes benchmarking 80% of the design and innovating on the remaining 20%, aligning with the Pareto principle.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Game Development and Industry Entry
39:23 Understanding Autonomy, Relatedness, and Competence in Player Motivation
50:24 Competence and Flow Theory
55:35 Effective Monetization Strategies
01:23:04 The 80/20 Rule in Game Design