Immersion, Realism, and Abstraction in Video Game Design

Scott Lewis
Firaxis Games, creator of the Civilization series and Pirates!

Monday, October 23rd, 2:00PM
Babbio Center, Room 110
Stevens Institute of Technology
 

Abstract


In this talk, I will provide an overview of major design principles used to create video games. Topics will include how to create immersion for players, using overlapping goals and risk/reward systems to maintain the user's attention, and how realism and abstraction affect the user's interpretion of and interaction within virtual worlds. I will also discuss my experiences with getting into the video game industry and my work on Sid Meier's Railroads! which will be released on October 15th of this year and on Rise of Nations and Rise of Legends at Big Huge Games.