The Psychology Behind Making a Good Video Game

TLDRIn this video, Destin explores the psychology behind creating a good video game and highlights the importance of gameplay and player experience. He shares insights from his own experience developing a game and interviews industry experts. Whether you're a gamer or interested in game development, this video will give you a deeper understanding of what makes a game engaging and enjoyable.

Key insights

🕹️Making a good video game involves understanding the psychology of gameplay and player experience.

🎮The success of a video game depends more on psychology and gameplay design than technological advancements.

🐠Gordon, the game developer, created Fish Game based on his passion for fishkeeping and the desire to capture the underwater experience in a game.

🧪Video games provide an opportunity for players to learn, experiment, and improve their skills through trial and error.

🤝Developing a game involves collaboration and the ability to learn from failures to create a better user experience.

Q&A

What makes a video game successful?

A successful video game understands and engages with the psychology of players, providing an enjoyable and immersive experience that keeps them coming back for more.

Is technology the most important factor in making a good video game?

While technology plays a role in enhancing the visual and technical aspects of a game, the success of a video game relies more on its gameplay, player experience, and psychological factors.

What inspired Gordon to create Fish Game?

Gordon's passion for fishkeeping and his desire to capture the underwater experience led him to create Fish Game, an aquarium simulation game that allows players to design their own tanks and observe fish behavior based on scientific principles.

How can video games be educational?

Video games provide a unique platform for interactive learning, allowing players to acquire new skills, problem-solving abilities, and knowledge through gameplay and exploration.

How does collaboration contribute to game development?

Collaboration among game developers brings together diverse skills and perspectives, enabling the collective team to learn from each other's successes and failures, resulting in an improved user experience and a more enjoyable game.

Timestamped Summary

00:00In this video, Destin explores the psychology behind creating a good video game and highlights the importance of gameplay and player experience.

06:00Gordon, a game developer, created Fish Game based on his passion for fishkeeping and the desire to capture the underwater experience in a game.

06:50Video games provide an opportunity for players to learn, experiment, and improve their skills through trial and error.

10:35Developing a game involves collaboration and the ability to learn from failures to create a better user experience.

12:50Ryan, a game publisher, shares his perspective on the value of learning and the act of losing in video games.