#46: Theme, Mechanics & Fun

Jon, Dirk and David finally get around to talking about theme, mechanics and how the intersection of the two relates to ‘fun’. What are each? What happens when you favor one over the other? Can you flat out OMIT one? And what are some examples in the games our panelists have actually worked?Contact InformationJon Shafer - @JonShaferDesign, www.JonShaferOnDesign.com, [email protected] Knemeyer - @DKnemeyer, www.artana.com, [email protected] Heron - @DavidVHeronEpisode Outline0:01:08 - Definitions0:05:15 - Business considerations0:16:00 - Favoring one over the other0:22:08 - What is ‘fun’?0:31:50 - Theme vs mechanics0:43:30 - Can you omit one?0:53:00 - Jon’s approach in At the Gates1:00:40 - Dirk’s approach1:02:17 - David’s approach