This, so much- I play games to connect with humans. The best connections include in-person interactions. It's just what being human means. And I think the increasingly digital nature of life and gaming is really costing us societally. #gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign 🧵 - ThreadSky

alexisjanson.com • 1 day ago

This, so much- I play games to connect with humans. The best connections include in-person interactions. It's just what being human means.

And I think the increasingly digital nature of life and gaming is really costing us societally. #gamedev #indiedev #gamedesign 🧵

Reposted from allison steele, organic human person

we talk about communities of people playing digital games, and in a sense that's a fair word. it's a group, and they communicate shared beliefs and values and norms.

but if it's entirely online, w/out meatspace connection, you miss out on so much richer socialization.

i miss the magic community.

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luchalutra.bsky.social•1 day ago

I am slightly the opposite. I often like the isolation that the game worlds bring, with few exceptions. so I tend to prefer single player experiences. But I also greatly enjoy talking to people as a whole, so it's a bit of a weird dilemma.

alexisjanson.com•1 day ago

Oh, I think its all about balance and that can vary person to person. But people can get coerced into an unnatural balance without regard to their needs.

And good single player games give an amazing balance on the other side that I adore too!

alexisjanson.com•1 day ago

Like, in many ways I consider single player games and multiplayer games completely different concepts because of this dichotomy- I feel strongly that they serve different needs and "societal good".

luchalutra.bsky.social•1 day ago

100% agree. I believe they both have their place, and are both incredibly important to cover all basis of players. That being said, I don't think I could ever create a multiplayer game. Seems like a terrible amount of overhead to consider! lol

alexisjanson.com•1 day ago

The richer socialization also brings with it community and shared values. Socializing in person creates solidarity. And society and technology keeps finding ways to restrict that, monetize that, gatekeep that, silo that.

I think about this a lot in #gamedesign ways.

alexisjanson.com•1 day ago

I make games to make the world a better place. How can my games bring people together and make them care about each other?

Once Upon a Galaxy is a mobile game but we still think about this! It's designed as something to play out and about. Between rounds of Magic. Waiting in line. Holding a baby.

alexisjanson.com•1 day ago

We have friend lobbies and they are actually fun in person! Do you like Mario Party? Miss LAN parties? Mobile multiplayer with friends and a style of gameplay that emphasizes big moments and twists of fate? The trash talk is extra sweet in person, I swear :)

(just wait until we have emotes too 😇)

alexisjanson.com•1 day ago

I legit didn't mean for this to sound like a weird piggy back shill post - my point is this stuff matters. Games are better when you have a real community, with real humans BEING humans, sharing their HUMANITY. And I think games can make the world better this way.

Be decent to each other, etc. ♥️

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