Enhancing Player Experience: Aligning Your Game's Vision with Player Needs

During her keynote at Devcom, Funcom's lead UX designer Anna Brandberg emphasized the importance of understanding players and their needs. Brandberg, who has worked on notable titles such as The Sims, Candy Crush Saga, and Metal: Hellsinger, encouraged developers to shift their focus from their own creative vision to the player's journey. She highlighted that successful game development often has less to do with a developer's skill and more to do with meeting the needs of the players. Brandberg stressed that players are individuals with unique needs and that games should be designed with accessibility and simplicity in mind. She provided several 'easy UX wins' that developers can implement, such as providing visible feedback, maintaining consistency, offering clear tutorials, and ensuring legible fonts. By prioritizing player-centric design and being open to feedback, developers can create games that are both enjoyable and accessible to a wider audience. Brandberg concluded by reminding developers of the impact games can have on people's lives and the importance of using their creative power for good.