PinnedScott SheppardinLightning Strikes: A Developer’s JourneyWelcome to Lightning Strikes!“The best way to get the right answer on the internet is not to ask a question, it’s to post the wrong answer.” — Cunningham’s LawJan 5, 2023Jan 5, 2023
PinnedScott SheppardinAustin School of Game DesignChallenging the Status Quo: A Public Journal for Learning and Growth in Game DesignI’m excited to share this journey with all of you as we learn and explore together. This is a “learn in public” blog, which means that…Jan 5, 2023Jan 5, 2023
Scott SheppardinAustin School of Game DesignCastlevania: Symphony of the Night - How Dracula’s Castle Gets Away With Toying with the Player…Castlevania: Symphony of the Night creates a sense of wonder and discovery by trusting the player’s intelligence and thematically pitting…Mar 7, 2023Mar 7, 2023
Scott SheppardinAustin School of Game DesignHades and the Power of Perseverance: A Timely Message for Trying TimesHades’ core mechanic of incremental progress through repeated failure reflects real-life experiences of overcoming obstacles, and applies…Mar 7, 2023Mar 7, 2023
Scott SheppardinAustin School of Game DesignExploring the Perfectly Aligned Core Mechanics of GTA V: A City Simulator Toy with No BoundariesGTA V is the ultimate expression of the series’ core mechanics as a realistic world simulator toy.Mar 6, 2023Mar 6, 2023
Scott SheppardinAustin School of Game DesignWhy Super Mario Bros. 3 is Still Relevant Today: A Look at its Impact on Game DesignSuper Mario Bros. 3 set a standard for game design excellence. Its legacy endures despite newer games, and it still stands among the bestFeb 28, 2023Feb 28, 2023
Scott SheppardinAustin School of Game DesignDisco Elysium: A Game that Captures the Essence of Millennial and Gen-Z DisenchantmentDisco Elysium’s well-crafted conversation system and nihilistic message resonates with frustrated millennials and Gen-Z, making it a…Feb 27, 2023Feb 27, 2023
Scott SheppardinAustin School of Game DesignHalf Life 2: The Art of Balancing Power and Resistance in a Dystopian WorldHalf Life 2 masterfully balances a tight linear power fantasy with a decentralized resistance war, creating a unique and unforgettable…Feb 7, 2023Feb 7, 2023
Scott SheppardinAustin School of Game DesignRed Dead Redemption 2: A Deep Game for Gamers and Non-Gamers AlikeRed Dead Redemption 2 is a masterpiece of game design, with its high production values, improved role-playing system, and deep, meaningful…Feb 4, 2023Feb 4, 2023
Scott SheppardinAustin School of Game DesignThe Importance of Playful Controls in Super Mario 64 and its LegacySuper Mario 64’s enduring popularity can be attributed to its focus on making the controls feel like a toy.Jan 26, 2023Jan 26, 2023
