Develop a Game - And interact with your Community | by Two Pi Team
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The document discusses how Korean/international game developers can interact with their Western online gaming communities. It recommends actively involving the community early in the development process to gather feedback on aspects like story, gameplay, content design and more. Community feedback should be gathered through various testing methods like focus groups and test servers. The document also stresses the importance of communication tools in games to foster community interaction and socialization.
Develop a Game - And interact with your Community | by Two Pi Team
- 1. Lecture: Develop a Game - And interact with your Community How close should a Korean / International Publisher / Developer stay with their Western Online-Gaming Community Speaker: Thomas Lagemann, CEO and Founder at Two Pi Team
- 2. • Active in the gaming industry for more than 10 years • A gamer myself: 20 years • Teaching classes since 2008 • Assisting New Blood: Almost since the beginning • Active in the gaming industry for more than 10 years • A gamer myself: 20 years • Teaching classes since 2008 • Assisting New Blood: Almost since the beginning Develop a Game – Interact with the Community About me: Thomas Lagemann © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea
- 3. • Established 2005 • Service Provider for Services around Community Management − Community Building − Community Management − Community Assistance − Community Consulting − Social Media Coverage − Education … and more • Established 2005 • Service Provider for Services around Community Management − Community Building − Community Management − Community Assistance − Community Consulting − Social Media Coverage − Education … and more Develop a Game – Interact with the Community Introduction of the Company: Two Pi Team © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea
- 4. Develop a Game – Interact with the Community We work for or partnered with: … and more
- 5. Develop a Game – Interact with the Community Successful Asian MMO Games in Europe © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea Examples: Perfect World, Rappelz, Silkroad, Last Chaos, Metin 2, Runes of Magic, Lineage
- 6. Develop a Game – Interact with the Community Example: Runes of Magic © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea
- 7. Develop a Game – Interact with the Community History of MMOs © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea
- 8. • Today the different genres often are mixed • No matter which genre you choose there might be the need to adapt − Content − Graphics − Gameplay • Today the different genres often are mixed • No matter which genre you choose there might be the need to adapt − Content − Graphics − Gameplay Develop a Game – Interact with the Community So meanwhile they play everything © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea
- 9. • Of course gaming behavior is an individual thing • You can hardly generalize this for huge communities or even countries • But the major and minor preferences in each country can be figured out • Of course gaming behavior is an individual thing • You can hardly generalize this for huge communities or even countries • But the major and minor preferences in each country can be figured out Develop a Game – Interact with the Community The first thing to take a look at: Gaming Behaviour © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea
- 10. • Some countries like to have it difficult and challenging • Some countries want an environment that countenances roleplaying • Some countries want to pit their skills against each other • Some countries do not mind bug-using and exploiting • Some other countries doom bug-using and exploiting • Some countries insist on playing the game in their own language • Some countries like to have it difficult and challenging • Some countries want an environment that countenances roleplaying • Some countries want to pit their skills against each other • Some countries do not mind bug-using and exploiting • Some other countries doom bug-using and exploiting • Some countries insist on playing the game in their own language Develop a Game – Interact with the Community Differences in Preferences – some Examples © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea
- 11. • Gold-sellers are mostly not appreciated – Unless game-design includes it in a reasonable way • There must be a story; at least there must be a reason to do something. • If the player is requested to fight against something he needs a reason to do so −Just Grinding is too boring for most players • Gold-sellers are mostly not appreciated – Unless game-design includes it in a reasonable way • There must be a story; at least there must be a reason to do something. • If the player is requested to fight against something he needs a reason to do so −Just Grinding is too boring for most players Develop a Game – Interact with the Community Similarities in Preferences – some Examples © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea
- 12. There are many religions, cultures and histories If somebody would try to take care of all of them in a realistic setting … he would fail There are many religions, cultures and histories If somebody would try to take care of all of them in a realistic setting … he would fail Develop a Game – Interact with the Community Cultural Aspects © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea
- 13. There are always some animals that might be sacred in one or the other religion. There are always symbols, colors or other things that might refer to difficult parts of a history. There are always some animals that might be sacred in one or the other religion. There are always symbols, colors or other things that might refer to difficult parts of a history. Develop a Game – Interact with the Community There are many Traps out there © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea
- 14. This might be the reason why fantasy or science fiction settings are so popular: They are fiction with no relation to reality; nobody can feel abused. This might be the reason why fantasy or science fiction settings are so popular: They are fiction with no relation to reality; nobody can feel abused. Develop a Game – Interact with the Community Fantasy Elements are a good Solution © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea
- 15. You never can know all aspects of a culture, a religion, a history. But you can ask your community about that! You never can know all aspects of a culture, a religion, a history. But you can ask your community about that! Develop a Game – Interact with the Community Community is the best Science Book © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea
- 16. Develop a Game – Interact with the Community Community is the best Knowledge Book © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea
- 17. Develop a Game – Interact with the Community © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea Oh, btw: After a while… they will even know more about the game than yourself.
- 18. • Most countries have different languages – And many of them want to be addressed in their language • Most countries have different languages – And many of them want to be addressed in their language Develop a Game – Interact with the Community Languages © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea
- 19. •Despite that MMO communities meanwhile are used to get the game localized only in English, French and German •Other than Browser-Communities: Those want to have their game in their language •If you localize a game, make sure that it is a proper localization, done by native-speakers of the respective language •Despite that MMO communities meanwhile are used to get the game localized only in English, French and German •Other than Browser-Communities: Those want to have their game in their language •If you localize a game, make sure that it is a proper localization, done by native-speakers of the respective language Develop a Game – Interact with the Community Languages © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea
- 20. Develop a Game – Interact with the Community Visual preferences – A Monstrous Example © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea It is not only about the preferences itself - It is what people associate with special things! Attributes for character creation: Cool Cute Beautiful Ugly
- 21. Develop a Game – Interact with the Community © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea
- 22. Monsters in western games primarily have to be ugly or scary. If they start to get beautiful, cute or cool players might wish to play on their side. Monsters in western games primarily have to be ugly or scary. If they start to get beautiful, cute or cool players might wish to play on their side. Develop a Game – Interact with the Community The Evil looking Evil © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea
- 23. • There is one thing western gamers are keen on: They want to be involved! • They will be glad to help and they will be very helpful in the end if you bear some things in mind: − Each person feels individual, so you might get as many different answers as people you ask − Not those who yell the loudest are necessarily those who represent the opinion of the masses • There is one thing western gamers are keen on: They want to be involved! • They will be glad to help and they will be very helpful in the end if you bear some things in mind: − Each person feels individual, so you might get as many different answers as people you ask − Not those who yell the loudest are necessarily those who represent the opinion of the masses Develop a Game – Interact with the Community Options to involve Western Communities into the Development Process © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea
- 24. Develop a Game – Interact with the Community In which Aspects of a Game should the Community be involved? © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea Caution! Action Replay!
- 25. Develop a Game – Interact with the Community They can be involved in many parts including © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea Story Gameplay Content-Design Character-Design Community Management
- 26. • It really depends on the game – in some cases it might not be necessary to change a lot, but in some cases it might be • If your game for example is a manga style, western people most likely will appreciate its visuals like they are or with only small changes. It will not be the bulk of the western players, but there actually are huge and growing fan groups for manga meanwhile • It will be appreciated if you for example take down the need to grind and give the story more importance • Interact with your community and they will tell you what they like • It really depends on the game – in some cases it might not be necessary to change a lot, but in some cases it might be • If your game for example is a manga style, western people most likely will appreciate its visuals like they are or with only small changes. It will not be the bulk of the western players, but there actually are huge and growing fan groups for manga meanwhile • It will be appreciated if you for example take down the need to grind and give the story more importance • Interact with your community and they will tell you what they like Develop a Game – Interact with the Community So is there the need to change a lot? © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea
- 27. Develop a Game – Interact with the Community At which stage does it make sense to involve the community? Try to involve them as early as possible! © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea
- 28. • Involve the community in the early process to use their feedback to find gaps in level progression • In the best case, this will result in an overall improved progression experience • Missing content can be identified and masked if necessary • Involve the community in the early process to use their feedback to find gaps in level progression • In the best case, this will result in an overall improved progression experience • Missing content can be identified and masked if necessary Develop a Game – Interact with the Community Example: Involving the Community regarding Level Progression © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea
- 29. • Focus tests are a good option - run them as early as possible. • Best is to have a row of them • Even after launch it might be useful to set up special focus tests • Focus tests are a good option - run them as early as possible. • Best is to have a row of them • Even after launch it might be useful to set up special focus tests Develop a Game – Interact with the Community Active Testing © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea
- 30. • Keep communicating about things you want to improve • Keep communicating about things you are not sure about − Example: Localization If you are not sure about a term in its context or how to name a place or a character… Ask the community what they would prefer • Keep communicating about things you want to improve • Keep communicating about things you are not sure about − Example: Localization If you are not sure about a term in its context or how to name a place or a character… Ask the community what they would prefer Develop a Game – Interact with the Community As always: Communication is the Key © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea
- 31. • Set up test-servers where players can test and give feedback for updates • You will get great plaudit if they can meet the developers directly on those servers • It might even be useful to start with a marketing campaign in an early stage in addition, to show people what they can expect • Try to find the right ones to test your game • Set up test-servers where players can test and give feedback for updates • You will get great plaudit if they can meet the developers directly on those servers • It might even be useful to start with a marketing campaign in an early stage in addition, to show people what they can expect • Try to find the right ones to test your game Develop a Game – Interact with the Community Give them a Home © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea
- 32. You need to find people who: • Are not only keen on just testing another game for free • Give reasonable feedback • And above all who will explain why they do or don’t like something You need to find people who: • Are not only keen on just testing another game for free • Give reasonable feedback • And above all who will explain why they do or don’t like something Develop a Game – Interact with the Community Who are the Right Ones? © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea
- 33. Develop a Game – Interact with the Community One Option to gain such Feedback © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea Involve Sub-Communities like guilds
- 34. • Though good European guilds are well organized not all of them have a too military-like structure • They interact and often discuss things democratically outgame • This means you will get feedback that is not only affected by the most powerful people in the guild • The social aspect of an MMO means a lot to them – playing is not working • Nevertheless they are keen on being efficient That means they want to have the game supporting efficiency and therefore will help you getting there • Though good European guilds are well organized not all of them have a too military-like structure • They interact and often discuss things democratically outgame • This means you will get feedback that is not only affected by the most powerful people in the guild • The social aspect of an MMO means a lot to them – playing is not working • Nevertheless they are keen on being efficient That means they want to have the game supporting efficiency and therefore will help you getting there Develop a Game – Interact with the Community What is so special about Guilds? © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea
- 35. Develop a Game – Interact with the Community InGame communication and Socialization © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea
- 36. • Western communities love to interact – give them tools to do so • Be sure that there are special features for guilds in the game • Be sure to implement tools that allow Game Masters to act properly • Try to implement possibilities to entertain the gamers not only with the game: Implement tools that allow to build ingame-events – epic and spontaneous ones alike • If you even give the gamers tools to build their own smaller events or assist them with doing so you will have most loyal customers • Western communities love to interact – give them tools to do so • Be sure that there are special features for guilds in the game • Be sure to implement tools that allow Game Masters to act properly • Try to implement possibilities to entertain the gamers not only with the game: Implement tools that allow to build ingame-events – epic and spontaneous ones alike • If you even give the gamers tools to build their own smaller events or assist them with doing so you will have most loyal customers Develop a Game – Interact with the Community InGame communication and Socialization © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea
- 37. Develop a Game – Interact with the Community Most important Points of Interest © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea The following points are what we recommend to all of our customers and what we remind our students to think of when developing a game. It is all about what communities in the western markets want. No matter in which part of the world the developer is located.
- 38. • It is most important to think about localization as soon as possible during the development-process as it will get more difficult to implement a proper localization in a later stage of the development process • If possible include tools that make the work for translators easier • Text should not be hard-coded • Involve your community - Not to translate the game but to find mistakes in translations • It is most important to think about localization as soon as possible during the development-process as it will get more difficult to implement a proper localization in a later stage of the development process • If possible include tools that make the work for translators easier • Text should not be hard-coded • Involve your community - Not to translate the game but to find mistakes in translations Develop a Game – Interact with the Community Languages / Localization / Culturization © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea
- 39. • Different languages need different space • Do not use automatical translations • Make sure that the translator gets the context • Different languages need different space • Do not use automatical translations • Make sure that the translator gets the context Develop a Game – Interact with the Community Technical Issue with Localisation © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea
- 40. • Not every payment method is appreciated or even available in all countries • Be sure to have a good provider for payment systems • Be sure to have a good support for payment issues • Again involve your community. Ask them in advance, which payment system they prefer • Not every payment method is appreciated or even available in all countries • Be sure to have a good provider for payment systems • Be sure to have a good support for payment issues • Again involve your community. Ask them in advance, which payment system they prefer Develop a Game – Interact with the Community Payment-Systems © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea
- 41. Develop a Game – Interact with the Community Conclusion © Two Pi Team, KGC 2011, Daegu, Korea If you want your community to play your game – give them a game they like. You do not know what they like? Ask them!
- 42. Owner: Thomas Lagemann (CEO) Nadja Bastawi (CVO) Otto-Hahn-Str. 8 D-40721 Hilden Germany Tel: +49 (0) 2103 – 929 555 0 www.two-pi-team.com Thank you for listening! Any Questions? Develop a Game – Interact with the Community COMMUNITY The future of gaming is… COMMUNITY COMMUNITY COMMUNITY! Quote: David Perry on GCDC, Leipzig 2008 Member of… COMMUNITY