Beyond GamificationLessons from Game Design for Engaging Users

Catt Small @cattsmall

I’m Catt Small

I’m a gamer

I’m a UX designer & developer

Bedrocket Media Ventures

I’m an event coordinator

I’m a teacher

The Code Liberation Foundation

I’m a game maker

Quantum Box

UX is a hybrid

Jurassic Park

The field is constantly

EVOLVING

UX Game Design

pettileaf.deviantart.com

ACHIEVEMENTS LEVELING UP

STRATEGY MOOD

EMOTIONS

What UX can learn from games

Complexity vs. Value

Very confusingNot enough meaning, too much complexity

Very interestingMore usefulness/meaning than complexity

At least a 1:1 ratio

ComplexityUsefulness

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

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

BREAK DOWN complex features

Prioritize features

Complex feature

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Let users contribute

content

Allow users to sign in w/o

Facebook

Content screening

process

Front-end user CMS

Be consistent across platforms

Both games © SEGA

Sonic 2, Game GearSonic 2, Genesis/Mega Drive

Spelunky, © Mossmouth, LLC

Prism Shell, © Brooklyn Gamery

Since 2011,

MORE SMARTPHONES have sold than computers

Don’t assume anythingAbout how people use your services

Playtest production-ready code

Test more than just

PROTOTYPES

FEEL

Your product should feel

RESPONSIVE

Add Easter eggs

ellythegee.deviantart.com

Easter eggs are

RELATABLE

Game Players Game Makers

Sonic Generations, © SEGA

Sonic Generations, © SEGA

Your product has

PERSONALITY

BOND

Capitalize on emotions

FUN

MEMORABLE

Dys4ia, © Anna Anthropy

Contrast, © Compulsion Games

Prism Shell, © Brooklyn Gamery

To review:

• Balance complexity with value

• Create a cohesive cross-platform system

• Playtest production-ready builds

• Add Easter eggs

• Capitalize on emotions

Thank you!Questions?

Tweet me @cattsmall.