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Jonathan Blow: Video Games and the Human Condition

rubbermuck · talk · Watch on YouTube

Game design

What it is

Jonathan Blow's 2010 Rice University talk argues that game designers refine their techniques in ways that can manipulate players, as with A/B-tested social games. He discusses the ethical responsibility of designers and what games can offer beyond addiction.

Why Hacker News recommends it

Recommended as a thoughtful critique of addictive game design and the designer's role in building ethical games.

  • 6 people recommended it
  • 6 different months
  • 2 strong recommendations
  • first 2011, last 2017

What HN commenters said

  1. “He held an amazing talk / presentation at Rice University called "Video Games and The Human Condition”

    Amazing talk by smart, humble developer

    kitsune_, 2012-07 · Strong recommendation · in “Thoughts on Consoles and Certification Processes - Jonathan Blow”

  2. “Jonathan Blow has a great presentation on the mechanisms of video game addiction and the role of the game designer in building ethically responsible games [0]. I highly recommend it”

    Mechanisms of game addiction and ethical design

    JasonSage, 2016-11 · Strong recommendation · in “How Casinos Enable Gambling Addicts”

  3. “games like Farmville are A/B tested to maximize addictiveness and profit, rather than maximizing fun.”

    Rant on A/B-tested addictive social games

    alexkcd, 2011-10 · Recommendation · in “Who killed videogames?”

  4. “I would watch Jonathan Blow's talk on Video Games and the Human Condition now.”

    Helps see how games manipulate you

    dunckr, 2014-04 · Recommendation · in “Ask HN: I am a good developer but have a serious gaming addiction”

  5. “Johnathan blow put on a great talk about games and the human condition”

    Scathing critique of manipulative game design like Farmville

    ultimape, 2014-11 · Recommendation · in “Screeps – the world's first MMO sandbox strategy game for programmers”

  6. “But he has given some amazing talks.”

    Amazing talks despite condescending reputation

    kelukelugames, 2015-02 · Recommendation · in “‘Braid’ creator sacrifices his fortune to build his next game”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: jonathan blow, game addiction, farmville, game design, monetization

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