Rewards and Punishments: Mastering Gameplay Loops with Alexander Brazie

Welcome back to The Corner of Story and Game.

In this episode, we dive deep into the complexities of rewards and punishments in gameplay design with Alexander Brazie. From the grand scale of progression loops to the nuanced moment-to-moment decision-making, Alex shares insights into how players’ intrinsic and extrinsic motivations drive their engagement and mastery in games.

We explore:

• The anatomy of a gameplay loop and how rewards and punishments shape player behaviour.
• How game designers can balance challenge and progression to keep players hooked.
• The secret to creating a rewarding experience, whether it’s through moment-to-moment combat or long-term goals.
• The key differences between extrinsic rewards (like loot) and intrinsic rewards (like personal achievement) and how they contribute to game design.
• Why some of the most successful games allow players to forge their own paths and set their own goals.

Alex also touches on his past work at Riot Games, Blizzard, and more, sharing lessons learned from some of the industry’s most influential titles like World of Warcraft and Ori and the Will of the Wisps. Whether you’re a budding game designer or a passionate gamer, this episode is packed with insights that can shape your understanding of the reward-punishment balance in gaming.

Listen now and discover how the best gameplay loops don’t just challenge players—they let them grow, explore, and play in their own way.

Alexander’s Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-> GameDesignSkills.com

-> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠

-> ⁠⁠⁠⁠BlueSky⁠⁠⁠⁠

-> ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

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