The Evolution of Seasonal Events in Sky: Children of the Light

That Game Company's Director of Online Experience, Tim Nixon, began his GDC 2023 session by emphasizing the potential of events in games to go beyond mere revenue drivers. Nixon argued that events can be a means to experiment, have fun, and convey a game's core values. For That Game Company, the core value is centered around player emotion, which they've incorporated into their approach to in-game events. Since the game's launch, the company has run over 40 events, with Nixon tracing the evolution of their approach to emotional experiences in these events. Initially, their events were material-focused, offering limited-time items for sale. However, the team soon moved away from this approach, seeking a more inclusive and emotionally resonant experience. They established three guiding principles for their events: leading with emotion, being inclusive, and ensuring items served as mementos of special experiences. Nixon highlighted four events that exemplified this framework: the Days of Bloom, Days of Feast, Days of Mischief, and Days of Music. Each event was designed to evoke specific emotions, from the beauty of nature to the sense of belonging and wonder. The team's trip to Disneyland inspired them to create engaging activities that could be enjoyed thousands of times, rather than just once or twice. The result was the Days of Music, a year-long musical push culminating in a concert event featuring Aurora. By prioritizing emotion, the team found that merchandising components flowed naturally, allowing players to memorialize their experiences without feeling forced.