Unlocking Business Innovation: An Interview with Game Designer Jesse Schell

The Art of Game Design, A Deck of Lenses

John Uke, founder of Success Cards, recently had the pleasure of interviewing Jesse Schell, someone who has been a true inspiration to him. Jesse is known for his phenomenal contribution to the game design industry. He authored a book- “The Art of Game Design”, which is recognized as the number one game design textbook, and the companion cards- “A Deck of Lenses” that works in conjunction to the book. His deck, in fact, played a major role in inspiring the creation of Success Cards. During this conversation, they explored the philosophy that underpins the success of these cards.

The Genesis of The Art of Game Design, A Deck of Lenses

When Jesse began his journey to write The Art of Game Design, there were only a handful of books on game design. However, the advice these books gave often conflicted, as what worked for one game could prove disastrous for another. This dilemma led Jesse to an epiphany: “questions are never wrong.” Thus, Jesse structured his book as a collection of questions - or “lenses” - that creators should ask themselves. This approach sidestepped the issue of giving potentially detrimental advice and instead prompted designers to consider their games from various perspectives. However, as the collection of lenses grew, Jesse found it challenging to keep track of all of them within the book format. His solution was to convert these lenses into cards, leading to the creation of The Art of Game Design deck,

A Deck of Lenses.

Using The Art of Game Design, A Deck of Lenses

One of the most common ways Jesse uses the deck is to resolve problems that arise during the design process. By sorting through the cards and assessing their relevance to the issue at hand, Jesse often uncovers unexpected solutions. The cards can also be used as a tool to initiate group discussions or even as reminders for team members to focus on particular aspects of the design process.

Applying Game Design to Business

During their conversation, they also discussed how Jesse’s deck and game design principles could be applied to business and entrepreneurship. Much like in game design, success in business involves solving problems, innovating, and creating unique products or services. In terms of his own entrepreneurial journey, Jesse shared a key lesson he has learned: as a company grows, the focus of its leader should shift from the product to the people. A leader should focus on managing and nurturing their team, and let the team worry about the product. This lesson is reflected in his deck through the lens of the team.

Final Thoughts and What’s Next

From their discussion, it’s clear that Jesse’s Art of Game Design cards offer a unique and effective approach to problem-solving and creative thinking, not just for game designers, but also for entrepreneurs and other professionals. Jesse also mentioned that a digital version of The Art of Game Design is available for those who want to try it out at no cost. Finally, he revealed that he is currently working on a sequel, The Art of Educational Game Design, which will focus on his experiences and insights in the field of educational games. Keep an eye out for that in the next year or two. I would like to extend a big thank you to Jesse for sharing his invaluable insights. Whether you are a game designer, entrepreneur, or simply someone seeking fresh perspectives, do consider checking out The Art of Game Design and Jesse’s other incredible works.

Edited by: Diana Ariana

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John Uke, the mind behind Success Cards, engages in an enlightening interview with renowned game designer Jesse Schell, discussing his design philosophy, the practical application of his Deck of Lenses, and the intriguing intersections between game design and business.