The Lenses of Game Design | Lauren Bond on The Lens of Expected Value & The Lens of Chance

Welcome back, to The Corner of Story and Game. In this episode we chat about game design philosophy with Lauren Bond, Senior Narrative Game Designer at Wizards of the Coast. We explore two fascinating lenses from Jesse Schell's The Art of Game Design: the Lens of Expected Value and the Lens of Chance.

Lauren shares how these lenses influence her approach to worldbuilding, how randomness can enhance gameplay, and how to create meaningful player interactions through thoughtful design. From balancing skill and luck in RPGs to building immersive narratives in card games, this episode is a treasure trove of insights for creators and players alike.

🎙️ What’s Inside:

• Breaking down the Lens of Expected Value: How interactions shape player experiences.
• The Lens of Chance: Designing unpredictability to enhance fun.
• Insights into Magic: The Gathering’s worldbuilding and storytelling.
• How these lenses overlap to create unforgettable games.

Join us for this thought-provoking conversation, and get inspired to look at games through new perspectives!

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Lauren's Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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-> ⁠Website

-> BlueSky

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