Beyond gamification, what are other lessons we can learn from game design? UX and game design are quite similar in some aspects, yet we still focus on basic gamified elements such as achievements and points to create engaging content. I think there are other things we can learn from games, and in the future UX and game design will be further intertwined.

1. @cattsmall
Beyond Gamification
More important lessons we can learn from game design
FOWD NYC 2015 – Catt Small (@cattsmall)

2. @cattsmall@cattsmall
• Product Designer, SoundCloud
• Game developer, Brooklyn Gamery
• Co-founder, Code Liberation
I’m Catt Small!

3. @cattsmall@cattsmall
• The state of user experience
• UX vs. game design process
• What UX can learn from games
• The future of games and UX
Today we’ll talk about:

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The state of UX

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Jurassic Park
UX is a
HYBRID

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Jurassic Park
The field is constantly
EVOLVING

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UX vs. game design

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UX Game Design

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Jurassic Park
Interaction with interfaces

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Removing friction
Arranging information to help users accomplish tasks
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4

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Removing frustration
Creating challenges that keep players engaged
Challenge 1
Complicated
challenge
Challenge 3 Challenge 4

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Useful
Meaningful

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Jurassic Park
Familiar processes

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Emoji-only
messenger
Ideation
Magical girl
roguelike
Pachinko meets
Brick Breaker
with ponies
Cheese fighting
game
AR transaction
system
Social network
for email threads

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Prototyping

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Testing
What is that?
I thought they
would know what
that is. Hmm!

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Documentation
1. Logo Screen
Game Launch
2. Main Menu
4. Achievements
5. Encyclopedia
6. Options
7. Store
(List of Items)
7.2. Item
Information
7.3. Purchase Item7.1. Store Section
3. Level Select 3.2. Tank Select
3.3. Gameplay
Level
3.4. Win/Lose
Screen
3.5. Pause Screen
Level Select Next Level/Replay
3.2.1. Tank
Upgrade (Store
Section)
View Tank
Play game

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In case
What UX can
learn from games

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Balance complexity
with value

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Jurassic Park
Value for
TIME SPENT

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Very interesting
More meaning than complexity

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Very confusing
Not enough meaning, too much complexity

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At least a 1:1 ratio
ComplexityValue

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Five Stages, © Asia Hoe, Catt Small & Chris Algoo

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Break it down
Feature
goal
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

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Share
tracks on
SoundCloud
Upload track
to system
Allow users
to comment
on track
Create
stream of
tracks

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Be consistent
across platforms

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Both games © SEGA
Sonic 2, Game GearSonic 2, Genesis/Mega Drive

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Just right
Spelunky, © Mossmouth, LLC

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Prism Shell, © Brooklyn Gamery

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Since 2011,
MORE SMARTPHONES
have sold than computers

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Don’t assume anything
About how people use your services

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:D
:D
:D

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Focus on the “feel”

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GAME
FEEL

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Both games © Vlambeer
Nuclear ThroneLUFTRAUSER

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Your product should give
FEEDBACK

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phandroid.com/2015/11/03/twitter-star-fav-button-replaced-with-heart-likes

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Test more than just
PROTOTYPES

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Your product should feel
RESPONSIVE

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Connect with your users

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Easter eggs are
RELATABLE

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Game Players Game Makers

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Sonic Generations, © SEGA

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Sonic Generations, © SEGA

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Your product has
PERSONALITY

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news.en.softonic.com/google-hangouts-easter-eggs-lets-you-change-background-colors-release-ponies

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BOND

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Capitalize on emotions

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FUN

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MEMORABLE

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Dys4ia, © Anna Anthropy

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Contrast, © Compulsion Games

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Prism Shell, © Brooklyn Gamery

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In caseThe future

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It will
BLEND!

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MEANINGFUL
EXPERIENCES

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ACHIEVEMENTS
LEVELING UP

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STRATEGY
MOOD
EMOTIONS

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Recap!

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• How people interact with interfaces
• UX is about removing friction
• Game design is about challenging players
• Both involve ideation, prototyping,
testing, & documentation
UX & game design

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• Ensure that complexity has value
• Create a cohesive cross-platform system
• Focus on the feedback and feel
• Connect with users through personality
• Capitalize on emotions
Beyond gamification…

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• Prune (iOS)
• Spelltower (Android, iOS, Mac)
• TwoDots (Android, iOS)
• Home Improvisation (Mac, Windows)
• Lumino City (Mac, Windows)
Games with great UX

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• Playful Design
by John Ferrara
• The Art of Game Design
by Jesse Schell
• Game Feel
by Steve Swink
• A Game Design Vocabulary
by Anna Anthropy & Naomi Clark
Books

73. @cattsmall@cattsmall
• Gamasutra
gamasutra.com
• That Game’s UX
thatgamesux.com
• The Independent Gaming Source
tigsource.com
• Sirlin on Game Design
sirlin.net
Websites

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Go forth and create!

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Thank you!
Questions?
Tweet @cattsmall
Email catt@cattsmall.com
Work with me: soundcloud.com/jobs