Shared

Explore

Shared

Shared

Mastering Retention Podcast

Designing Marvel Snap

⁠

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjhsY2Zuo-c⁠

⁠

🎤 GDC Talk: Designing Marvel Snap with Ben Brode

Speaker: Ben Brode, Chief Development Officer at Second Dinner

⁠

Introduction

👋 About Ben Brode:

Former Game Director of Hearthstone at Blizzard Entertainment.

Co-founder of Second Dinner, creators of Marvel Snap.

Noted for his unique laugh and YouTube rap career.

⁠

Designing Marvel Snap

💡 Inspiration and Ingredients:

🍲 Designers as Chefs: Combining existing game mechanics in new ways.

🛒 Gathering Ingredients: Played numerous digital and physical card games for inspiration.

🎲 Key Influences:

Backgammon's Doubling Cube: Betting mechanic to increase stakes.

Clash Royale's quick gameplay sessions.

Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation and Game of Thrones board games for simultaneous reveals.

Smash Up for locations with abilities.

🧪 Prototyping and Iteration:

Started with physical prototypes using old business cards.

🎲 Doubling Cube Mechanic:

Increased emotional range and depth.

Reduced zero-sum frustrations.

Went through multiple iterations to balance its impact.

🔄 Simplifying Complexity:

Focused on low complexity and high depth.

Avoided overwhelming players with complicated rules or text.

Reduced card text to essential information.

⁠

Embracing Randomness

🎲 Input vs. Output Randomness:

Input Randomness: Random events happen before player decisions.

Adds variety and requires strategic adaptation.

Output Randomness: Random events occur after decisions.

Creates exciting and unpredictable outcomes.

🌐 Locations as a Mechanic:

Provide both input and output randomness.

Offer new challenges every game, enhancing replayability.

Assist in balancing and refreshing the meta without constant new card releases.

⁠

Naming the Game

🔠 The Challenge of Naming:

Considered various names like "Marvel Cosmic Posse" and "Marvel Heroes of Marvel."

Settled on Marvel Snap to reflect the quick gameplay and the snapping mechanic.

🗣️ The Power of Simple Names:

Emphasized that a game's name gains meaning through the player's experience.

Opted for a name that is easy to remember and conveys energy.

⁠

Overcoming Development Challenges

👥 Small Team Dynamics:

A smaller team allowed for rapid pivots and experimentation.

Facilitated clear communication and quick decision-making.

📱 Mobile Optimization:

Designed specifically for vertical mobile play.

🎯 Removed Targeting Mechanics:

Eliminated complex targeting to streamline mobile experience.

Adjusted card abilities to remove the need for explicit targeting.

🔄 Simplifying the Core Loop:

Went through numerous iterations to find a satisfying progression system.

🗺️ From Complexity to Simplicity:

Removed unnecessary features and currencies.

Focused on a clear and engaging core gameplay loop.

⁠

Key Takeaways

🛒 Stock Your Pantry:

Gather a wide range of inspirations and ideas.

🚤 Be the Speedboat:

Stay agile and ready to pivot until the direction is clear.

🎲 Embrace Randomness:

Use randomness to enhance depth and replayability.

✂️ Simplify Relentlessly:

Aim for low complexity to maximize accessibility and enjoyment, even if it means cutting favored ideas.

⁠

Audience Q&A Highlights

🎤 Collaboration with Marvel:

Marvel provided guidance to ensure authenticity but allowed creative freedom.

🛍️ Merchandise Questions:

Merchandise decisions are controlled by Marvel.

📱 Vertical Orientation:

Chosen to create a mobile-first experience that's easy to play on the go.

🃏 Card Variants and Visuals:

Plans to enhance spawned card variants in the future.

🧩 Complexity vs. Depth:

Acknowledged the challenge but confident in the game's lasting depth despite simplicity.

📝 Simplifying Card Text:

Prioritized intuitive understanding over detailed explanations.

💰 Monetization Philosophy:

Focused on player-friendly models, avoiding pay-to-win scenarios.

Inspired by games like Pokémon Go, emphasizing collection over power purchase.

⁠

Conclusion

👏 Acknowledgments:

Credited the entire Second Dinner team for their contributions.

🔑 Final Thoughts:

Emphasized the importance of teamwork, iteration, and player-focused design in creating Marvel Snap.

⁠

Thank you for exploring the design journey of Marvel Snap with Ben Brode!

Gallery

Want to print your doc?
This is not the way.

Try clicking the ⋯ next to your doc name or using a keyboard shortcut (

CtrlP

) instead.