How to Create Innovative Game Designs, with Nick Fortugno

Playmakers - The Game Industry Podcast

In this episode:

Jordan sits down with Nick Fortugno, an entrepreneur, game designer, and interactive narrative expert. Nick is the co-founder and Chief Creative Officer at Playmatics, a company known for creating innovative digital and real-world experiences for top organizations like Pro Publica, Red Bull, AMC (including the CableFAX award-winning Breaking Bad: The Interrogation), Disney, the American Museum of Natural History, and more. Nick also teaches at Parsons School of Design, where he's helped shape their game design curriculum.

Topics covered:

• Nick’s journey from intern to Founder and Chief Creative Officer at Playmatics
• Key lessons on keeping a game studio afloat and competitive in a crowded market
• The game-changing principles of game design he’s picked up over the course of his career
• “Failing up” in game design: how mistakes fuel innovation
• The MDA framework (Mechanics, Dynamics, Aesthetics) as an approach to game design and how he utilizes this technique
• What Nick looks for when hiring game designers and producers: what’s taught in school vs. what needs to be cultivated
• The role of artificial intelligence in the future of gaming technology

For more game industry tips:

• Learn more about Jordan & Bright Black
• Listen on iTunes | Spotify (Support the show and leave a review)
• Visit www.playmakerspodcast.com for the full blog post and more!

Episode Timestamps:

[03:29] Nick’s early career and transition into game design

[06:35] The foundation and evolution of Playmatics

[08:02] The two key lessons that helped Playmatics survive and thrive

[11:36] Innovative game design approach at Playmatics

[16:09] How game genres evolve and how designers can think beyond genre constraints

[19:40] The value of early prototypes and using failure to innovate

[21:00] Using MDA as a approach to game design

[24:29] What Nick looks for when hiring game designers and producers

[28:56] The role of AI and machine learning in future game development

[34:25] How social gaming has grown during the pandemic

Resources & media mentioned in this episode:

Connect with Nick Fortugno:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter

Learn more about Playmatics:

• Website
• Check out the Come Out and Play Street Games Festival

Games & companies mentioned:

• Playmatics
• AreaCode
• Rebel Monkey
• GameLab (Diner Dash)
• Pro Publica (The Waiting Game)
• Breaking Bad: The Interrogation (AMC)
• The Street Game Festival (Come Out and Play)
• Revolutionary Choices (Educational history game)