Cargo Cult Game Development

1
Cargo Cult Game Development (Or, How to Make a
Game Nobody Loves) Ichiro Lambe Dejobaan Games,
LLC
2
Cargo Cult A cargo cult is any of a group of
religious movements that occurred in Melanesia,
in the Southwestern Pacific. The Cargo Cults
believe that manufactured western goods ('cargo')
have been created by ancestral spirits and
intended for Melanesian people.
3
What the player does in the game and what a game
is "about are two different things. Aesthetics
and back story are often used as a veneer, but
it's easy to knit them closely with our game
mechanics to good effect.
4
Katamari Damacy/We Love Katamari
5
(No Transcript)
6

• Katamari Damacy is about...
• Delightful Images
• Destruction
• Revenge!

7
Its fun to destroy... Anthills A house of
cards Cars Cities Well-ordered Societies?
8
Top 5 Revenge Films 5. War of the Roses 4. 9 to
5 3. Carrie 2. Max Max 1. Kill Bill Everyone
loves watching an underdog get even.
9
The Sims 2
Singles Flirt up Your Life
10
Aesthetics and back story are often used as a
veneer, but we need to knit them closely with our
game mechanics to good effect. (And its easy.)
11
(No Transcript)
12
Weird Worlds Return to Infinite Space
13
Cyber Corps (1993-94)
14
Kill Doctor Lucky
15
Esmeralda has snuck aboard your ship and
sabotaged your nebula drive!
Sorry, youre stuck in space now.
16
Knowing What Your Game is Really
About Supporting Elements Tie into Rules No
Cargo Cult Game Development