How to use what game designers know to make any experience better.

1. The Pleasure Revolution
Why Games Will Lead the Way
Jesse Schell
Creative Summit - 2012

3. Games
Real Life

7. +10!
+20!
+20!

8. +10!
+10!
+5!

9. +45! +500!

10. +200!
+50!

11. +50!
+30! +100!

12. +10! +10! +10! +10! +10!
+500!

13. +100!
+100!

14. +
+2700!

15. +2000! +9000!
+5000!

16. +10!
+30!
+5!
+100! +5!
+30! +1000!
+30! +50!
+200 +30!
+25! +75! +300!

20. Choco-fication!

27. Rewards can Backfire

34. Self-Determination Theory
Competence Autonomy Relatedness
I want to be I want I want to
good at what freedom! connect to
I do! others!

35. “Hafta” “Wanna”
Duty Fun
Work Play
Slavery Freedom
Efficiency Pleasure

42. Games are special because…
• They are interactive
• They are designed
ENTIRELY for pleasure

43. Games provide:
• Clear Feedback
• A Sense of Progress
• The Possibility of Success
• Mental and Physical Exercise
• A Chance to Satisfy Your Curiosity
• A Chance to Solve a Problem
• A Feeling of Freedom

46. Pleasure is POWERFUL

47. Pleasure is COMPLEX

48. Pleasure is…
CONTEXTUAL

49. Pleasure is…
CONTEXTUAL

51. Laughter
Discovery Thrill
Fantasy Story Triumph
Expression Challenge Sensation

52. -or-

53. Five Keys to Motivational Design

54. Key 1: Make it Appealing

55. Key 2: Make it Engaging

56. Key 3: Make it Effortless

57. Key 4: Make it Uncheatable

58. Key 5: Make it Not Embarrassing

59. Pleasure is…
• Complex and Counterintuitive
• Embarrassing to discuss
• Not fully understood by anyone
• The motivation for EVERYTHING we do
• The key to design in the 21st century

60. You CAN make your experiences better
• Ask yourself these simple
questions:
– Given what I know about
my guests…
– Why will they like this
experience?
– How can I get them to like
it more?

61. Thanks!
Slides: slideshare.net/jesseschell
Twitter: @jesseschell
Email: jesse@schellgames.com