5 TED Talks for Game Designers: Insights and Tips

Contents:

• How to Generate Creative Ideas
• How Urban Studies Can Enrich Game Design
• How Creating a Video Game Can Help Overcome Personal Tragedies

How to generate creative ideas

Shimpei Takahashi is a talented designer who has always strived to create unique children's toys. When he received a job offer from a respected toy company, he felt his dream had finally come true. However, he was required to conduct in-depth market analysis before presenting his ideas. This requirement began to hinder his creativity and made him doubt his own abilities. Shimpei realized that in order to successfully implement his ideas, he needed to find a balance between market analysis and creative expression.

Takahashi one day discovered a technique known as "shiritori", which inspired him to come up with new creative ideas. This game involves creating chains of words, where each subsequent word begins with the last letter of the previous one. For example: phone - nougat - watermelon - castle. Using words related to your topic, you can generate fresh ideas and find unexpected connections. This technique not only develops creativity but also helps you gain a deeper understanding of the subject you're working on.

Using this technique, he was able to develop popular toys, including a toothbrush shaped like an electric guitar and an endless popping film. These innovative products captured the attention of consumers and became real hits, demonstrating a unique approach to creating entertaining and functional objects.

• Don't rely solely on big data analysis and audience research—this can limit the creative process.
• By focusing on specific goals, you can put in more effort. Creative ideas require freedom and spontaneity.
• Don't be afraid to generate even the strangest ideas—the more ideas you generate, the higher the chance of finding truly worthwhile ones.
• The "shiritori" technique is just one method. You can also open a thick dictionary and choose words at random, or look for associations between objects in a store and on a playground.

• Go for walks to stimulate your imagination and inspiration.
• Explore how constraints can be useful in the creative process, using the work of various artists and designers.

How urban studies can enrich game design

Tom Hume is a renowned designer and entrepreneur, currently working as a Senior Manager in the European office of GV, a venture capital fund spun out of Google in 2009. GV actively invests in startups across a variety of industries, including internet technology, cybersecurity, transportation, and agriculture. Under Hume's leadership, the fund continues to expand its portfolio, backing innovative ideas and technologies that have the potential to change the market.

At the meeting, Tom will share how user feedback can transform the final product. He will demonstrate his ideas using examples of «folk trails» – pedestrian routes created by people to facilitate travel. These examples span cities as diverse as Brazil and Boston, as well as campuses at the University of California. The importance of user experience and its influence on product design and functionality will be a key theme in his talk.

When designing Brazil, the architects assumed that cars would be the primary mode of transportation for city residents. Therefore, they significantly reduced the number of pedestrian crossings. However, the actual situation turned out to be quite different: the pedestrian accident rate in Brazil is five times higher than the US average. The architects, focusing on hypothetical scenarios, failed to consider the real needs and habits of users, which led to serious consequences for road safety.

Unlike Brazil, at the University of California, only the campuses were initially created. Students, wanting to reduce commuting time, began to create their own paths, and the architects waited for these "natural" routes to emerge before paving them. This approach demonstrates that design can be more effective if real user behavior is considered early in the project. It's important to analyze how people interact with space to create more comfortable and functional areas for study and relaxation.

• Design should take into account the real needs of users in the most natural way.
• If you ignore user needs, they will find solutions themselves, which may negatively impact the product.
• Be prepared to adapt to changes even after a successful launch.
• Business success depends on the ability to consider and respond to consumer desires.

• How the game Cities: Skylines contributes to more effective urban planning.
• Why some cities are becoming more attractive to live and work than others.

How creating a video game can help overcome personal tragedies

Amy Green, a talented video game developer and mother of a child with a brain tumor, played a vital role in the creation of "That Dragon, Cancer." Collaborating with her husband and a team of six developers, she sought to create a unique and deeply emotional experience that reflects parental care for a terminally ill child. This game is designed to help others feel supported and understood during difficult life situations related to illness and loss.

In 2010, Joel, Amy's third son, was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor. After unsuccessful chemotherapy, doctors estimated his chances of survival at just a few months. To cope with this difficult situation, Amy created a story about a brave knight named Joel who battles a dragon named Cancer. Amy shared this inspiring story with her older children, immersing them in a magical world of adventure before bed. This story not only helped the children cope with their anxieties but also became a symbol of hope and courage in the fight against illness.

Palliative care gave Joel several additional years of life, which was an important milestone for Amy and her husband. They decided to transform their experiences into a game to share their emotions and experiences with the world. Creating a game format allowed them to express their feelings and highlight important aspects of palliative care, as well as raise awareness of the importance of support during difficult times.

• Despite the opinion that cancer is not a game, it is in the game format that one can find meaning and hope when a child is suffering.
• Story-based games can be compared to interactive poetry: each game mechanic is a metaphor, and the more questions the player asks themselves, the deeper their experience.
• The variability of actions in the game is not always a positive aspect. Sometimes you have to limit the player to convey a powerful story.
• The most difficult moments in life shape us more than any achievements or goals.

• Trailer for the game That Dragon, Cancer.
• Ryan Greene, Joel's father, speaking at The Game Awards.
• The Game Awards' Games for Impact 2020 nomination list, which includes games that evoke strong emotions.