Next Fest 2022 Showcase Part 1

For this set of showcases, these are my favorite demos from the October Steam Next Fest 2022. 0:00 Intro

Tags: aquatico, double shake, erra exordium, galactic glitch, homicidal all stars, the knight witch, vengeful guardian moonrider

Josh Bycer

Cognitive Load in Live-Service Hubs That Actually Keeps Players Playing

Live-service games depend on habit. Their hubs are not just menus, but behavioral maps that shape player rhythm and retention. Yet many hub designs still confuse density with engagement. When too many simultaneous objectives, currencies, and notifications compete for focus, cognitive overload quietly sets in. Players may not notice why they feel drained—they simply log […]

Here’s What You Need to Know About Making a Move From Typical Digital Games to Online Poker Games

What a fun shift, when you up the ante and move from the more normal online games, like DOTA or GTA or even NBA2K, to casino games. This is often a natural progression, especially when players want to experience more thrill. However, this shift needs to be informed. You shouldn’t just move to online casino […]

Triplecast Games Interview Part 2

For this extended cast, I spoke with Muse Lystrala from Triplecast Games who is working on making the TTRPG The Hidden Keys to discuss TTRPG and writing horror. This is the second part of the cast focusing on horror writing.

Esports by Design: Borrowing the Playbook of Traditional Sport

Competitive gaming and traditional sport share more than just the pursuit of victory. Over the past decade, esports has borrowed ideas from established leagues, from team branding and coaching to data analytics and fan engagement. The result is a digital competition scene that feels increasingly familiar to anyone who follows football, rugby, or Formula 1. […]

The Strategy Behind the Score: What Sports Can Teach Us About Game Design

In both sports and video games, the pursuit of mastery is what keeps people coming back. Whether it is a last-minute goal or a perfectly executed combo, players thrive on the same sense of tension, timing, and reward. As technology continues to blur the line between physical and digital play, the relationship between sports strategy […]

Videos

Next Fest 2022 Showcase Part 1

General

Cognitive Load in Live-Service Hubs That Actually Keeps Players Playing

General

Here’s What You Need to Know About Making a Move From Typical Digital Games to Online Poker Games

Videos

Triplecast Games Interview Part 2

General

Esports by Design: Borrowing the Playbook of Traditional Sport

General

The Strategy Behind the Score: What Sports Can Teach Us About Game Design

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Next Fest 2022 Showcase Part 1

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