Lifestyle Games - The Play's the Thing - Extra Credits

TL;DR

Lifestyle Games are more than just games; they become a part of players' lives and social circles. Design elements such as robust social interaction, infinite content, regular updates, and opportunities for deep engagement contribute to their popularity.

Transcript

At a recent convention, James and his friends were talking about a type of game that we don't really have a proper term for yet. But given the fact that they have their own special forms of design and marketing and longer-term development, we could really use one. Let's go with "Lifestyle Games". Also, by the way, this is Josh. He's doing the guest... Read More

Key Insights

• 💭 Lifestyle Games become a significant part of players' lives, shaping their social interactions, humor, and thoughts.
• 👾 Design elements like robust social interaction, infinite content, regular updates, and deep engagement contribute to a game's success as a Lifestyle Game.
• 🏛️ Lifestyle Games should provide meaningful experiences, opportunities for learning, and tools for building friendships.

Questions & Answers

Q: Can you intentionally design a game to be a Lifestyle Game?

While there is no guarantee, common design elements such as robust social interaction, infinite content, regular updates, and opportunities for engagement can increase the likelihood of a game becoming a Lifestyle Game.

Q: How can we make Lifestyle Games healthy for the player?

Designers should avoid harmful design elements such as excessive Skinner Boxing. Instead, they can include real-world skills, opportunities for learning, and tools for building friendships within the game experience.

Q: What are some benefits of Lifestyle Games?

Lifestyle Games offer players the chance to practice leadership, teamwork, and math skills while providing meaningful experiences in the game world. They can also help players form lifelong friendships and provide moments of triumph and laughter.

Q: Can Lifestyle Games come from different genres?

Yes, Lifestyle Games can come from various genres such as collectible card games (CCGs), fighting games, MOBAs, or MMOs. The genre labels do not fully capture the immersive experience these games offer.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Lifestyle Games are games that players spend a significant amount of time on, shaping their social life, humor, and daydreams.

• These games, such as League of Legends, World of Warcraft, and Call of Duty, offer robust social interactions and functionally infinite content to engage players.

• Regular updates, patches, and new content are essential to keep players invested, while deep gameplay mechanics and narrative elements keep players engaged outside of the game.