Explore social design lessons from Sky: Children of the Light in this 2020 GDC Summer talk by thatgamecompany's John Hughes. Delve into the game's play structure, early prototyping, and the definition of social play. Discover the heart economy, outfits, and social gameplay loop. Learn about teaching social mechanics, growing relationships, and launching beta servers. Examine social gameplay beyond gifting, cooperative social play, and techniques for encouraging natural interactions. Gain insights on removing the designer's presence and allowing organic player experiences to flourish.
Overview
Syllabus
Intro
Play Structure
Early Prototyping
Defining Social Play
Heart Economy and Outfits
Social Gameplay Loop
Teaching Social Mechanics
Growing Relationships
Launching Beta Servers
Social Gameplay outside of Gifting
Cooperative Social Play
Encouraging Social Play
Allow Interactions to Happen Naturally
Removing the Designer
Taught by
GDC
