GDC10 Notes: The Evolution of Habbo Hotel’s Virtual Economy March 14, 2010

Session Title: The Evolution of Habbo Hotel’s Virtual Economy by Sulka Haro (Lead Designer, Sulake) Overview of Habbo Hotel Age range is 12-17, with $74 million in revenue Offices in 13 countries They maintain 16 instances = 16 separate virtual economies 10 years old this year Sulka describes the 6 phases of change that the Habbo Hotel’s Virtual Economy ha […]

Ada Chen

GDC10 Notes: Sid Meier on Why Everything You Know is Wrong March 14, 2010

Friday morning’s keynote was from none other than Sid Meier himself, co-founder of Firaxis and the creator of the Civ series. Session Title: The Psychology of Game Design (Everything You Know Is Wrong) from Sid Meier Meier began his talk with the assertion that gameplay is primarily a psychological experience and player psychology is primarily based on [...] […]

Ada Chen

GDC10 Notes: Achievements Considered Harmful? March 14, 2010

Last week I sat through a couple sessions at GDC10 – excellent talks all around. Here’s a quick write-up of my notes part 1, but more detailed coverage also available here. Session Title: Achievements Considered Harmful – Chris Hecker Hecker classifies achievements as tangible – cash, gold star, trophy verbal – praise symbolic – achievements like on Xbox A […]

Ada Chen