Game Mechanics and Mechanism Design

GeekNights presented three lectures at PAX East 2011, among them "Game Mechanics and Mechanism Design." Here, Rym and Scott introduce the audience to the bare basics of Game Theory so as to be able to explain how important a field of study called "Mechanism Design" should be (but isn't) to gaming and game design.

In short summary, "Mechanism Design" is the study of games from an interested perspective. That is to say, that the game designer has a vested interest in the play and outcome of the game. In many ways, games are mind control. It is in the best interest of game players and game designers to understand how this works and what effects it can have.

Category:

Gaming

Tags:

• pax

[mogllion]

What happened to Radio Free Equestria? Wasn't that a weekly thing that only had two episodes? Don't get me wrong, I love your other videos, but I've watched all your videos over and over because I love hearing you talk about something. I'm helping with a MLP game and your videos about that show really helped us make some important decisions. Please make more videos! All of us on the team support you guys! 

[GeekNightsRym]

@mogllion Jesus, you kids. It'll come when it comes. The pilot was successful, so we're working to put it together at a high production value. ;^)

[GeekNightsRym]

@42Forty2 Coming as soon as I have time to put it together and remaster the audio.

[LanIost]

Is that Roo from Clan of the Gray Wolf in the bottom right corner at 4:40? He stretches his neck.

[xato909]

Holy shi.... then 99% of my brain is populated by ponies

[wedge6128]

Scott looks almost tough in this video!

lol

[GeekNightsRym]

@a1024s The audio for the last 10 or so minutes cut out due to the battery dying in our Marantz on stage. I have the backup audio from the camera itself, but it's barely listenable. I've been working on mastering that last bit as best I can. This is the entirety of the delay for How to Win at Games!

[a1024s]

@Zahnhauser I too would like to see some good book titles.

Also, not that we forgot about The Ponies, but where's your other panel? You said it would be up 2 Sundays ago.

[chibisven]

Dude, I love these panels. You guys have gotten me interested in game theory

[GeekNightsRym]

@Zahnhauser That game is "Dogs in the Vineyard."

[Zahnhauser]

@Zahnhauser Also, at 46:07, which game is the image that has a person holding a rifle standing back-to-back with a person holding a bible from?

[Zahnhauser]

Would you mind giving some titles for books on game theory? You've sparked my interest with this video, and I want to learn more.