David Fox, Alexander Khilko

audio (9 MB)

As more portals sell the same casual games at the same prices using the same retail techniques, a site would do well to differentiate the experience around the game. The psychological state of the casual gamer is unique among all other leisure activities – a magical blend of zoned-out and focused-in. As such, we explore dos and don’t's for ways to wrap and alter the game experience to entrance, enhance, enthrall, entertain, and (since we have to make some money here) extract more value out of casual gamers.

Delivered at Casual Connect Kyiv, October 2007

DOWNLOAD

David Fox (email)

David Fox is VP of Technology at iWin, Inc., where he helped guide development of best-selling casual games such as Jewel Quest, Mah Jong Quest, and Family Feud Online Party. David has been a game designer and developer for over 14 years, with a focus on multiplayer casual games and storytelling. He is the author of several best-selling books about Internet technologies and culture, and his writing has appeared in publications such as Salon.com, Gamasutra, Gamelan, O'Reilley Network, Developer.com, Casual Connect, and Game Programming Gems III.

Alexander Khilko (email)

Alexander Khilko is a Senior Software Engineer, at iWin Inc. Alexander has 6+ years of experience in game development industry. He has started as an independent developer in 2001 and In march of 2006 he has joined the iWin Inc team. Since 30 august he is a member of Advanced Technology group, where he is developing next gen systems for game industry. He is an owner of the iWin Games console, and worked on a bunch of other titles, such as Battleship, Trivial Pursuit, etc.

HOME \| LECTURES & ARTICLES \| ARTICLES IN RUSSIAN \| BEYOND THE BOX audio (9 MB) As more portals sell the same casual games at the same prices using the same retail techniques, a site would do well to differentiate the experience around the game. The psychological state of the casual gamer is unique among all other leisure activities – a magical blend of zoned-out and focused-in. As such, we explore dos and don’t's for ways to wrap and alter the game experience to entrance, enhance, enthrall, entertain, and (since we have to make some money here) extract more value out of casual gamers. Delivered at Casual Connect Kyiv, October 2007 DOWNLOAD David Fox (email) David Fox is VP of Technology at iWin, Inc., where he helped guide development of best-selling casual games such as Jewel Quest, Mah Jong Quest, and Family Feud Online Party. David has been a game designer and developer for over 14 years, with a focus on multiplayer casual games and storytelling. He is the author of several best-selling books about Internet technologies and culture, and his writing has appeared in publications such as Salon.com, Gamasutra, Gamelan, O'Reilley Network, Developer.com, Casual Connect, and Game Programming Gems III. Alexander Khilko (email) Alexander Khilko is a Senior Software Engineer, at iWin Inc. Alexander has 6+ years of experience in game development industry. He has started as an independent developer in 2001 and In march of 2006 he has joined the iWin Inc team. Since 30 august he is a member of Advanced Technology group, where he is developing next gen systems for game industry. He is an owner of the iWin Games console, and worked on a bunch of other titles, such as Battleship, Trivial Pursuit, etc.