Design Panel - Understanding the magic in good puzzle games

Design Panel - Understanding the magic in good puzzle games is a talk currently scheduled to appear at IndieCade 2017.

Summary
What makes a good puzzle game, and why? How do I make one and make it GOOD? Let's approach the art and science of puzzle game design through the unstoppably cool lens of human cognition. By framing the ways our brains solve problems, we'll get a clear look into the fundamental components and strategies for designing unique, flow-inducing puzzles.

A good puzzle game allows us to ride a wave of challenge and success to a cathartic feeling of achievement. Some of the most beloved games of all time, from Braid to Portal utilise puzzles to entertain players.

This panel will take you under the hood of great puzzle games to show you how from puzzle-to-puzzle and level-to-level, these games keep you interested, while avoiding frustration.

Attendees will leave with a high-level understanding of how our brains handle puzzles and a clear language of the range of properties of puzzle games.