An Evening of Serendipity
It’s been an exciting week for Space Ape Games as we hosted a UX event here in the studio, together with Ya’el from UX Stories. The evening was a massive success, with guests from a variety of different backgrounds, from UX Consultants and Analysts to Designers and Artists. There were three presenters each with a different angle, based around the subject title “Serendipity”
One presenter was Darren (CEO, Blindfold) who presented a talk entitled, “The Boy Who Jumped into the Serendipity Machine 2 feet first” — This was a personal mediation on serendipity and the four cardinal rules of serendipity manufacturing. He described that the Internet is one big serendipity machine, but our well worn habits (as well as products and apps who want to keep you within their bubble for as long as possible) can make us less open to exploration and serendipitous encounters. In the early days, the web was all about exploration — how can we get this back?
Secondly was Jonny (Design Lead, Osper) in the spot light with his talk entitled, ‘Ducks, Thumbs and John Cusack’ which was about the film Serendipity, three heuristics that may contribute to that feeling of serendipity or luck, how to manufacture serendipity, the difference between fake and genuine chance and how that could be created organically in products and services.
We also made our way to the stage to present Space Ape’s take on ‘Serendipity’, where we discussed how Videogame studios engineer and design serendipitous moments to surprise and delight the players. In order to create these serendipitous moments, we broke it up into four main categories: Total Immersion, Breaking the Fourth Wall, Unexpected Naturalistic Behaviour and Flattery and Nostalgia. After discussing some cool examples from these four categories, we demonstrated how we create these serendipitous moments in our own games here at Space Ape and why we think these kinds of methods can be used by other practitioners to improve their products.
One of the highlights of the night was finding out all of the presenters favourite serendipitous moments in videogames! Here is what they told us!
“How about in the Xbox game Fez, the first time the whole world swivels from 2D to 3D? It’s such a visual surprise, even if you know it’s going to happen. In fact something that Monument Valley played on as well. Both fantastic games with visual storytelling at their hearts, and a real wow moment for me.”
Jonny, Osper
“I’m a huge fan of the Battlefield Series (PC) and have played most of them since 1942. The game is sandwich box, unprescribed, and there’s no way a 64 man team can completely orchestrate their attacks. The game is full of these beautifully delightful and seemingly random moments — like the times when the F18 flies over and clears a flag, a tank rolls in behind you, the sniper is covering your ass from a distance, your squad member lays down cover and this poor dude spawns right in front of you all.”
Darren, Blindfold
“My favourite moments of serendipity are the moments that aren’t necessarily designed as such, but are a result of the tools the games give me, the spectacular goal in FIFA, the long kill streak in Call of Duty, the dynamics of a Kingdom in Rival Kingdoms, or friend riding in on a helicopter to save me at the last minute in a game of Grand Theft Auto.”
Adam, Space Ape Games
“The game that features a great moment of serendipity for me is the 3rd in the classic Sega RPG series Phantasy Star 3 : Generations of Doom. At critical points throughout the game, the main character is given the option of marrying one of two women he has encountered during his travels. This choice determines the new main character of the next generation — the child (or children) of the previous lead. The choice also affects the gameplay, depending on the skills of the parents they affect the child’s abilities, techniques and their level of proficiency with them. This is especially surprising as It does seem when you marry the character it looks like its the end of the game.”
Sean, Space Ape Games
“Marvel vs. Capcom has a really cool moment where Deadpool breaks off the health bar and uses it as a weapon! He breaks the fourth wall just like he did in the comics, it’s a brilliant surprising moment!”
Amrita, Space Ape Games
“For me my favourite must be in Battlefield 2. During a multiplayer session in Kharkand whilst playing a sniper. I saw a fellow player riding a helicopter which have been badly damaged from heavy fire. He jumped out of his helicopter landed perfectly on top an enemy tank, deployed a c4, jumped off the tank, ran off and watched it blow into bits. Pure magic. “
Taufik, Space Ape
