The a16z Show

a16z Podcast: Tech Trends Changing Gaming

Jun 4, 2015
Tim Schafer, the creative mind behind iconic titles like Grim Fandango, joins Justin Bailey and Herman Narula to discuss the seismic shifts in gaming brought about by crowdfunding and tech advancements. They delve into how these changes have empowered indie developers and sparked new forms of engagement, such as modding communities that shape game outcomes. The trio explores the potential of virtual reality to redefine storytelling, emphasizing the importance of player choice and moral implications in gaming experiences.
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INSIGHT

Immersion Trumps Pixel Counts

  • The core aim is to transport players into convincing worlds, beyond graphics or novelty.
  • Tim Schafer emphasizes emotional immersion as the primary design goal.
ANECDOTE

DayZ Proved Mods Can Break Through

  • DayZ succeeded despite being buggy and unfinished because it created unique player experiences.
  • Herman Narula uses DayZ as an example of mod-driven breakout hits on Steam.
INSIGHT

Modding Is A Crucible For Innovation

  • Modding democratizes innovation; the next big genre often emerges from community mods.
  • Tim Schafer and Justin Bailey stress modders as equal creators manipulating shared codebases.
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