The Player's Brain. How Neuroscience and UX Influence Video Game Design

Creating a successful video game is true art! The introduction to the game, mastering it, and enjoying the gameplay all happen in the brain. It's easier for a developer to implement their design ideas and achieve commercial success if they understand how the human brain works: this is the foundation of user experience (UX). It's very important to anticipate how a player will perceive your game and how they will interact with it. By reading this book, you will learn which elements make a game engaging and which hinder people from immersing themselves in the process and enjoying it. “The Player's Brain” is a practical guide that includes the most comprehensive overview of UX in games; it can be used by any beginner or professional developer. The principles described in it are drawn from neuroscience—the field of knowledge that studies how our brain perceives, processes, and absorbs information. Together, UX and neuroscience will help you find reasonable compromises and optimal solutions for the game more quickly, showing you how to provide the audience with the best gaming experience while staying true to your design and creative intentions. Celia Hodent is a UX expert with a PhD in psychology. She has worked in the entertainment industry for over ten years, including with renowned companies such as Epic Games, Ubisoft, and LucasArts. “The amazing thing about this book is that it is accessible to UX enthusiasts at any skill level. For those who are just entering the gaming industry, it will demonstrate a wealth of practical examples. Experienced UX designers will be reminded of the importance of core principles and urged to implement best practices within their teams. Even a casual video game fan will benefit from learning why some seemingly good games disappoint, while unattractive ones keep players glued to the screen for hours.” — Svyatoslav Torik, game design expert.