The Impact of Communication Skills on Game Development: A Case Study
In a surprising twist, indie developer Petter Malmehed has identified a unique challenge affecting his puzzle game, After Hours, on Steam: the declining ability of younger players to effectively use email. As reviews for his game have dropped, Malmehed discovered that many players were submitting their in-game emails incorrectly, cramming essential information into the subject line rather than the body. This oversight has led to confusion and frustration, ultimately impacting the game’s reception and completion rates.
Malmehed’s findings highlight a broader issue in the gaming community, where modern communication methods often overshadow traditional ones like email. As younger generations grow up in a world dominated by instant messaging and social media, the nuances of email etiquette seem to be fading. This raises an important question for developers: how can they adapt their games to accommodate these shifts in communication skills?
As Malmehed continues to refine his approach, it will be interesting to see how other developers respond to similar challenges. Will we see more games that simplify communication or perhaps even incorporate modern messaging styles? The future of game design may hinge on understanding and adapting to the evolving communication landscape.
Original source: https://tech.yahoo.com/gaming/articles/reviews-got-lower-lower-dev-222705748.html