Opening keynote presentation: The Player's Journey
Presenter: Amy Jo Kim
In her opening keynote, renowned social game designer and author Amy Jo Kim shared seven golden rules for cooperative game design which all game developers should consider in their development projects. She explains why she believes the future of games in both a traditional game context and within a gamification program is co-operative, as it is proving to provide a more engaging and rewarding experience for the participants.Closing keynote presentation: From Paths to Sandboxes
Presenter: Stephen P. Anderson
The inventor of the "Mental Notes card deck" used by product designers and UX professionals the world over, presented his latest thinking on the creation of open environments vs closed. Whereas many games were originally designed as specific paths, he shares examples and ties in the psychology of why open environments can create more seductive experiences. Using Candy Crush, World of Warcraft, Pinterest and other examples, he shows how the open-ended environment encourages exploration and engagement.