How can we build trust as game designers? This is a question I’ve been asking myself, and in doing so came across an awesome video by James Everett, Lead Game Designer at Magic Leap (talking at Game Connect Asia Pacific).
In the above video James discusses the following.
Saruman vs Hobbit
Don’t be a Saruman, someone who ‘dispenses wisdom’ from an ivory tower. Instead be a hobbit. Be a comrade, a facilitator, filter, and collaborator for the people around you.
Trust
Everett breaks down trust into two components.
Logical
The logical component is based on the societal structure that we expect from normal, rational human beings, comprised of:
- Contractual obligations
- Past behavior
- Following social norms
- Following the law
Emotional
Emotional trust is:
- The default in healthy teams
- Reciprocal
- Pleasant and efficient
Everett then discusses three ways in which designers can build or break trust.