Games are tools to connect you with the people you love (or those you want to get to know). But how can we effectively design games for the purpose of bringing people together? This talk presents a design philosophy for “Heads Up” gameplay — gameplay that brings your attention to your environment and the people around you rather than your screen. A “Heads Up” game embodies these values: Eye Contact: Players engage in face-to-face interactions with each other Conversation: Players actively converse with each other using a relatable vocabulary that’s easily understood by spectators Physical Contact: The game encourages playful physical contact between players Context: The game makes use of the physical environment it’s being played in Flexibility: The game adapts itself to different environments and skill sets Personality: Players can express their personalities through their chosen style of play These qualities, when working effectively together, create a memorable shared experience for those involved. To demonstrate how to practically apply the “Heads Up” design philosophy, this talk presents a series of prototypes and finished games that explore this space. Each game will be related back to the “Heads Up” design values as a measure of its success. At the end of the talk, attendees will understand both the value of “Heads Up” design as well as the practical ways to incorporate these values into their own designs.

1. Designing for Togetherness.
Bryant Drew Jones
bry@spryly.ca
@sprybry
Tuesday, 17 July, 12

2. Why?
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3. Guilt.
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4. Why.
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5. Honesty.
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6. Expatriate.
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7. EA.
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8. United Front Games.
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9. Fitting In.
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10. Oh Well.
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11. Silicon Sisters.
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12. So I Le.
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13. Love & Happiness.
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14. 48.
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15. Making Games.
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16. My Family.
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17. Tuesday, 17 July, 12

18. “Booty called by a married and pregnant girl.
Wined and dined my best friend’s girlfriend.
Whatcha got for me, Sunday?”
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26. Togetherness.
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27. Let’s Play.
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28. Video Games?
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29. Sports.
Card Games.
Board Games.
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30. ualities?
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31. But First!
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32. Close Your Eyes.
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33. Subject A:
When I say “go,” carry on a casual conversation
with your partner about what you both do and
why you’re both here.
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34. Close Your Eyes.
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35. Subject B:
When I say “go,” carry on a casual conversation
with your partner about what you both do and
why you’re both here.
While conversing, count how many times your partner blinks.
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36. Open Your Eyes & Go.
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37. What Was at?
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38. Contrast at With is.
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39. Tuesday, 17 July, 12

40. uality #1:
Eye Contact
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41. uality #2:
Conversation
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42. Another Exercise.
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43. Part 1:
Focused Eye Contact
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44. Part 2:
Focused Eye Contact + Body Contact
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45. Part 3:
Focused Eye Contact + Intimate Body Contact
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46. How Did at Feel?
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47. uality #3:
Physical Contact
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48. uality #4:
Context
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49. Major ualities
Eye Contact
Physical Contact
Conversation
Context
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50. uality #5:
Flexibility
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51. uality #6:
Personality
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52. Major ualities
Eye Contact
Physical Contact
Conversation
Context
Minor ualities
Flexibility
Personality
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53. “Heads Up”
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54. Example:
WOMP!
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55. Tuesday, 17 July, 12

56. WOMP!
Conversation
Flexibility
Personality
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57. Example:
Graveyard Snuggle
Eskimo Snuggle
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58. A Taste Of
Eskimo Snuggle
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59. Graveyard & Eskimo Snuggle
Eye Contact
Physical Contact
Context
Flexibility
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60. A Discovery!
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61. Major ualities
Eye Contact
Physical Contact
Conversation
Context
Minor ualities
Flexibility
Personality
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62. Playgrounds.
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63. One Last ing.
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64. Why?
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65. Designing for Togetherness.
Bryant Drew Jones
bry@spryly.ca
@sprybry
Tuesday, 17 July, 12