Experimental Gameplay Workshop Founder and Braid Developer Interview...
Jonathan, founder of the Experimental Gameplay Workshop at GDC and developer of the game Braid talks about game design...
You can download the podcast here...
http://www.indiegamepod.com/podcasts/braid-podcast.mp3
or listen to it here...
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Show Notes:
0:00 - 5:00 Minutes...
Introduction, Experimental Game Design Workshop Founder
Started out with simple games and was a hobbyist initially.
Started out as an indie in 6th grade
Started own company in 1996
5:00 - 10:00
Challenges of starting a company
Signed with TEN
Created a mult-player sci-fi game
Took an extra 1.5 years to finish the game
Did a sequel for the game
10:00 - 15:00
Suggestions for indie game developers...
take an incremental approach to development. Now you can make a simple game on the web
and put Google Ads next to it.
Or can make a simple game and sell it for 5 dollars.
Had a complex interface for first game, now realize that interface simplicity is important.
Noticed that another game called Arc that was very simple...was having a lot more success...even though
our company's games had better production values.
15:00 - 20:00
Mentions how Snood felt like an anamoly.
Same with Runescape. Does not have high production values, but still very popular
Started the Experimental Gameplay Workshop at GDC because noticed that there were these
folks doing interesting experiments with games
20:00 - 25:00
Big waves at GDC...
Mid 90s: Online gaming
Late 90s: Hollywood in Games
2004-2006: Mobile Games and MMOs
Current Wave: MMOs
Talks about having a "prototype mindset"...a mentality where trying to explore
and learn things
Will work on a prototype for 1-2 weeks and then put them away for a while
25:00 - 30:00
After puts the prototype away, will come up with more ideas during the away time
When you prototype, don't do it when you need to have a successful idea. Prototype when
you are on another project and doesn't matter how it comes out. Maybe it will come out
good or not.
While doing main development, will take 1-2 weeks off to prototype and come up with ideas
30:00 - 35:00
Details about Braid Design and the development/exploration process
Talks about working on Braid in Thailand
35:00 - 40:00
Experimental Gameplay Workshop Discussion
40:00 - 45:00
Talks about some interesting games found at Experimental Gameplay Workshop...
Rod Humble's "The Marriage"
Future of gaming
45:00 - 50:00
Production values vs. Gameplay
Games as Expression
50:00 - 55:00
Social Gaming vs. Single-player gaming
Opinions on Alternate Reality Gaming
Talk about favorite games
like..
Counterstrike
Everyday Shooter
55:00 - 60:00
Favorite games like...
Gammas Bros
Talks about the future of his game design...
and some of the concepts behind his upcoming game
60:00 - 65:00
Talks about initial design process
vs.
current design process
Last words for indie game developers out there...
keep doing what you're doing
It would be nice to see indies that are doing it because they want to be independent
Take care,
Action
Labels: braid game, experimental gameplay sessions, experimental gameplay workshop, igf finalist, indie game development, innovation in game design winner