The Psychology of Games - Secrets of Good Game Design from Udemy

Have you ever wondered why some games are so popular that they are played with enthusiasm by hundreds of thousands or even millions of people?

The answer to this is certain psychological tricks, elements and methods that seem simple but can have incredible effects in humans. If you are working on a game or planning to do so, but have no idea how to make the gameplay fun and addictive - You are in the right place.

At the end of every chapter you get a summary of the most important contents. That means that you can watch the course relaxed and attentive without having to take notes.

Important: This is not a programming course.

What's inside

Syllabus

Social Relationships

In this video you get a short overview on the course.

Welcome!

In this chapter we talk about the physiological and mental needs of a human and which role they play in video games!

Needs

Recognition

Success

Self-realization

We'll look at the topics of challenge, goals, motivation and flow and learn how to create a great experience for the player.

Challenge

Goals

Motivation

Flow

In this chapter we learn how feedback, rewards and punishments can effect the player!

Feedback

Rewards

Punishments

In this chapter you will learn about the environment in the game and how you can create a great atmosphere by using sounds and graphic effects.

Environment

Music and Sound Effects

Graphic Effects

Here we talk about character, enemies and sidekicks, and learn which traits and skills we could give them!

Character

Enemies

Sidekicks

Emotions

In a nutshell

Top 10 Fun Factors

You did it!

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Psychology of Games - Secrets of Good Game Design with these activities:

Review 'Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World'

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Understand the broader positive impacts of games on human psychology and society.

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Obtain a copy of 'Reality is Broken'.
Read the book, focusing on chapters related to motivation, social connection, and purpose.
Reflect on how the concepts in the book relate to the game design principles discussed in the course.

Review Basic Psychology Concepts

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Reinforce foundational psychology concepts to better understand the psychological principles applied in game design.

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Identify key psychology concepts relevant to game design.
Review introductory psychology materials, focusing on motivation, rewards, and social interaction.
Take a practice quiz on basic psychology principles.

Analyze the Psychology of a Favorite Game

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Apply course concepts by analyzing the psychological elements that make a specific game engaging and enjoyable.

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Choose a game you enjoy playing.
Identify the psychological principles at play, such as reward systems, challenges, and social interactions.
Write a short report detailing your findings, referencing course materials.

Four other activities

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Create a Game Design Psychology Blog Post

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Solidify understanding by explaining a specific game design psychology concept in a blog post format.

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Choose a specific concept from the course, such as flow or reward schedules.
Research the concept further and find examples in popular games.
Write a blog post explaining the concept and its application in game design.

Review 'Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products'

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Learn how to create habit-forming game experiences by understanding the principles of the Hook Model.

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Obtain a copy of 'Hooked'.
Read the book, paying close attention to the Hook Model and its components.
Consider how the Hook Model can be applied to game design to create engaging and habit-forming gameplay loops.

Design a Game Mechanic Incorporating Psychological Principles

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Deepen understanding by designing a game mechanic that leverages specific psychological principles learned in the course.

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Choose a psychological principle, such as variable rewards or loss aversion.
Design a game mechanic that effectively utilizes this principle.
Create a document outlining the mechanic, its intended effect, and how it aligns with the chosen psychological principle.

Answer Questions in Game Design Forums

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Reinforce learning by explaining game design psychology concepts to others and helping them solve problems.

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Find online game design forums or communities.
Identify questions related to game design psychology.
Provide thoughtful and helpful answers, referencing course materials and your own understanding.

Career center

Learners who complete The Psychology of Games - Secrets of Good Game Design will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Game Designer

A Game Designer conceptualizes and designs video game elements, including gameplay mechanics, story, characters, and user interface. This course, focusing on the psychological tricks that make games engaging, directly informs the designer's ability to craft addictive and enjoyable experiences. The course’s exploration of needs, recognition, and self-realization helps a game designer create games that resonate with players on a deeper level. Understanding challenge, goals, motivation, and flow, as taught in the course, helps a game designer create compelling gameplay loops. The discussion of feedback, rewards, and punishments also assists game designers in shaping player behavior and enhancing overall enjoyment. If you want to be a Game Designer, this course helps you understand how to apply psychology to design choices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Designer

User Experience Researcher

A User Experience Researcher studies how users interact with games and identifies areas for improvement in design and usability. This course on game psychology is valuable because it provides a framework for understanding player motivation and behavior. The course's sections on recognition, success, and self-realization may be useful in examining player satisfaction. A User Experience Researcher may benefit from the course as it also provides insights into how elements like challenge, goals, motivation, and flow influence player engagement. Furthermore, the course material on feedback, rewards, and punishments helps a User Experience Researcher evaluate the effectiveness of a game's core mechanics. Learning about the environment, music and sound effects, and graphic effects may also be useful towards the role of User Experience Researcher.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Researcher

Serious Game Designer

A Serious Game Designer applies game design principles to create games for purposes beyond entertainment, such as education, training, or healthcare. This course on the psychology of games can be very useful for a Serious Game Designer because it helps them understand how to design games that are both engaging and effective. If you aspire to be a Serious Game Designer, the course's sections on motivation, rewards, and feedback may be especially relevant. The course material on how to create a great experience for the player by understanding challenge, goals, and flow is also useful. The Serious Game Designer will find the sections on enemies and sidekicks valuable as well.

See salaries and explore the career path for Serious Game Designer

Mobile Game Developer

The Mobile Game Developer designs and develops games for mobile platforms, focusing on creating engaging experiences tailored to mobile devices. Given the competitive nature of the mobile gaming market, understanding the psychology of game design is critical. As a Mobile Game Developer, the course's emphasis on psychological tricks and elements that make games addictive is useful in the design of mobile games. If you want to be a Mobile Game Developer, the sections on challenge, goals, motivation, and rewards may be useful in creating compelling gameplay loops that keep players returning. The Mobile Game Developer will also find the coverage of feedback, rewards, and punishments useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mobile Game Developer

Level Designer

A Level Designer creates the environments and layouts in which gameplay takes place. This course on game psychology may be useful for a Level Designer because it sheds light on how environmental elements influence the player experience. The course's insights into creating a great atmosphere through sounds and graphic effects may be useful during the design process. Additionally, the principles of challenge, goals, and flow that are discussed in the course may assist a Level Designer in crafting levels that are both engaging and appropriately difficult. The Level Designer may use the topics of rewards and punishments from the course to make levels that are memorable. If you wish to be a Level Designer, this course will help you understand how to design levels by appealing to certain psychological factors.

See salaries and explore the career path for Level Designer

Virtual Reality Game Developer

A Virtual Reality Game Developer designs and develops immersive gaming experiences for virtual reality platforms, emphasizing presence and interaction. The course directly informs the Virtual Reality Game Developer's understanding of player engagement by teaching about the psychology of games. The course's exploration of environment, music and sound effects, and graphic effects helps a Virtual Reality Game Developer immerse players in the game world. The material discussing challenge, goals, motivation, and flow may be helpful in creating compelling gameplay loops that keep players engaged. If you want to be a Virtual Reality Game Developer, this course will help you understand how to apply these psychological factors to design choices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Virtual Reality Game Developer

Gameplay Programmer

A Gameplay Programmer implements the mechanics and systems that define how a game is played. While this course is not a programming course, it provides essential context for understanding the player experience and how code can be used to enhance it. The course's exploration of motivation, rewards, and punishments is relevant to a Gameplay Programmer who wishes to understand how their code impacts the player. Understanding the course's material on challenge, goals, and flow may prove to be helpful when building engaging game systems. Elements of the course that introduce character, enemies, and sidekicks may also be relevant for a Gameplay Programmer. A strong understanding of the material in this course helps a Gameplay Programmer create experiences that are both technically sound and psychologically rewarding.

See salaries and explore the career path for Gameplay Programmer

Augmented Reality Game Designer

An Augmented Reality Game Designer creates games that blend the digital and physical worlds. This course on game psychology may be useful as it provides a framework for understanding how to create engaging experiences that leverage the unique capabilities of augmented reality. If you wish to be an Augmented Reality Game Designer, the topics related to how a game's atmosphere is created through sounds and graphics may be particularly interesting. The Augmented Reality Game Designer may also be interested in the sections on motivation, rewards, and feedback. The elements of the course that cover character, enemies, and sidekicks will be helpful as well.

See salaries and explore the career path for Augmented Reality Game Designer

Game Writer

A Game Writer is responsible for crafting the narrative, dialogue, and characters within a game. While this course does not focus specifically on writing, it may be useful for a Game Writer who seeks to understand how to create characters and stories that resonate with players on a deeper level. Topics in the course that cover character, enemies, and sidekicks may prove to be useful to a Game Writer. If you wish to be a Game Writer, the course's exploration into human needs, emotions, and social relationships provides a valuable foundation for creating more believable and engaging narratives. The Game Writer will find the exploration into feedback, rewards, and punishments useful as well. If you are a Game Writer, this course might help you understand the psychology of the character.

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Game Producer

A Game Producer oversees the development of a game, ensuring that it is completed on time and within budget. While it does not focus on project management directly, this course informs a Game Producer's understanding of what makes a game successful. The Game Producer may find the sections on social relationships, needs, recognition, and self-realization to be helpful. In this role, this course may be useful for a Game Producer who seeks to develop a deeper understanding of the player experience and how to create a product that resonates with its target audience. Understanding the challenge, goals, motivation, and flow concepts help a Game Producer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Producer

Game Artist

A Game Artist creates the visual elements of a game, including characters, environments, and user interface. This course on game psychology may be useful because it helps the artist understand how to create visuals that appeal to players. The Game Artist will find the sections on graphic effects, the environment, and music and sound effects will be very helpful. The material on challenge, goals, motivation, and flow may also prove to be helpful to a Game Artist. By understanding the psychological principles behind effective game design, a Game Artist can create visuals that enhance the player's experience and make the game more engaging.

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Community Manager

A Community Manager builds and maintains relationships with a game's player base, fostering a positive and engaged community. The material on social relationships may be very useful to a Community Manager. The Community Manager may draw on the course's explorations into needs, recognition, and self-realization. In this role, this course may be useful for a Community Manager who seeks to develop a deeper understanding of the player experience and how to create a product that resonates with its target audience. The Community Manager may find the sections on feedback, rewards, and punishments useful as well.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Manager

Esports Coach

An Esports Coach trains and mentors competitive video game players, helping them improve their skills and strategies. This course on game psychology may be useful for an Esports Coach who wants to understand how to motivate and manage their players effectively. As an Esports Coach, the sections on rewards and punishments help you understand how to properly give feedback. Understanding challenge, goals, motivation, and flow aids an Esports Coach. The Esports Coach may also find the sections on enemies and sidekicks helpful as well. If you are an Esports Coach, this course may help you improve how you train competitive video game players.

See salaries and explore the career path for Esports Coach

Game Tester

A Game Tester plays games to identify bugs and provide feedback on gameplay, balance, and overall quality. While this course does not directly focus on testing methodologies, it enriches a Game Tester's understanding of what makes a game enjoyable. Studying needs, recognition, and self-realization from the course may be useful. The Game Tester may also find that the topics of challenge, goals, motivation, and flow are useful. In this role, this course may be useful for a Game Tester who seeks to develop a deeper understanding of the player experience. Also, the Game Tester may find the sections on feedback, rewards, and punishments useful as well.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Tester

Software Developer

A Software Developer designs, develops, and tests software applications. While this course focuses on game design and psychology, it may be useful to a Software Developer who is interested in the intersection of technology and human behavior. A Software Developer may find that the topics of challenge, goals, motivation, and flow are useful. The Software Developer may also find the sections on character, enemies, and sidekicks helpful. In this role, this course may be useful for a Software Developer who seeks to develop a deeper understanding of the player experience.

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The Psychology of Games - Secrets of Good Game Design

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