Games are everywhere - and everyone’s a gamer. Yet most people’s assumptions about gaming and gamification revolve around competitive, zero-sum experiences. The next wave of gaming innovation is coming from indies, outsiders and non-gamers - and they’re crafting collaborative systems where people WIN TOGETHER and grow the pie for everyone. What market trends are driving this change? Which influential games and services are leading the way? Come learn the secrets behind Coop hits like Minecraft, Journey, Foldit, Portal, Team Fortress, Left4Dead, Nike+, Youtube, and Kickstarter. Discover the 7 rules for collaborative design that propelled these projects - and walk away with ideas and inspiration for how to apply Coop thinking to your next project.

1. Amy Jo Kim, Ph.D ©2014 All Rights Reserved
The Co-op Revolution
7 Rules for Collaborative Game Design

2. What is a game?
a system in which players engage in an artificial
conflict, defined by rules, that results in a
quantifiable outcome*
* Source: Rules of Play

3. Zero-Sum Game
We are opponents
I Win You Lose

4. Head-to-Head Battles War Simulations
Rank-Ordered Competitions Gambling

5. Here’s Another Kind of Game
a structured experience with rules
and goals that’s fun to play together*
* Source: The Player’s Journey (forthcoming)

6. We are partners
Non-Zero-Sum Game
Win-Win
Lose-Lose

7. Martial Arts Charity Walk
Double Dutch Pictionary

8. Three Disruptive Trends
re-shaping the gaming industry
Why Should We Care?

9. Trend #1: Ubiquitous Connected Devices
platform disruption

10. Source: DFC Global
In 2014, PC revenue surpassed console

11. Source: Digi-Captial Global Games Investment Review
All growth in general-purpose devices

12. Trend #2: Mainstream, all-ages players

13. 93% of kids 8-13 play
games online
women 55+ fastest-
growing Facebook demo
Source: M2 ResearchSource: Inside Facebook

14. Trend #3: mutual entertainment / UGC
Content disruption

17. where is the Blue Ocean in this
shifting landscape?
winning
Together

18. Battle Zombie Hoards Together

19. Fight-n-Heal Together

20. Regulars need fresh content/activities/challengesSolve Puzzles Together

21. Explore Ancient Ruins Together

22. Make Music Together

23. Dance Together

24. Regulars need fresh content/activities/challenges
Build Virtual Cities Together

25. Regulars need fresh content/activities/challengesDo Real-World Science Together

26. Fund a Game Together

27. “In first week of 2014, $400k paid out content creators”
Source: Valve
Create an Economy Together

28. The Coop Revolution is Here*
*it’s just not evenly distributed

29. 7 Rules for Coop Design
1. Compete with the System

30. Tackle protein-folding science puzzles

31. Regulars need fresh content/activities/challengesSurvive the Night to Learn the Basics

32. Join Forces to Fund a Project

33. 7 Rules for Coop Design
1. Compete with the System
2. Shared Outcomes

34. 3D puzzles in 2-player co-op

35. Shared Score in 2-Player Coop

36. Self-organized Puzzle-Solving Team

37. 7 Rules for Coop Design
1. Compete with the System
2. Create Shared Outcomes
3. Inter-dependant Roles

38. Drums, Bass, Guitar, Vocals

39. Fighters & Healers

40. Dedicated Players earn ability to judge & punish bad behavior
Judges & Enforcers

41. Regulars need fresh content/activities/challenges
Expert players fill community curation & leadership roles
Writers & Editors

42. 7 Rules for Coop Design
1. Compete with the System
2. Shared Outcomes
3. Inter-dependant Roles
4. Coop Social Gestures

43. Mutual Recharging

44. Coordinated Movements

45. Hug & High-5

46. Kudos for Teamwork

47. 7 Rules for Coop Design
1. Compete with the System
2. Shared Outcomes
3. Inter-dependant Roles
4. Coop Social Gestures
5. Shared Resources

48. Regulars need fresh content/activities/challengesShared (Mutable) Environment

49. Shared SuperPowers
If you’re near someone you both fly longer & further

50. Remixable Action Figures
If your friend comes over, you can re-mix pieces

51. 7 Rules for Coop Design
1. Compete with the System
2. Shared Outcomes
3. Inter-dependant Roles
4. Coop Social Gestures
5. Shared Resources
6. Non-Zero Stats & Spotlights

52. Community Stats

53. Collective Achievement

54. Regulars need fresh content/activities/challengesTopical Spotlights

55. progress badges earned by a group, rather than individuals
Clan Emblems

56. Medic Achievement
Earned during 4-player co-op if you revive everyone

57. 7 Rules for Coop Design
1. Compete with the System
2. Shared Goals & Outcomes
3. Inter-dependant Roles
4. Coop Social Gestures
5. Shared Resources
6. Non-Zero Stats & Spotlights
7. User-generated Content

58. addictive streams of bite-size content

59. Regulars need fresh content/activities/challengesSkyscapers & Cities to Explore
Don’t need to play the game to see the results – thanks, YouTube!

60. Player-created Items to purchase
earn $$ by creating in-game wearables

61. Creative Videos to Watch

62. Once upon a time...

63. ... a girl had a transformative experience...

64. ... and they played happily ever after

65. Not everyone is motivated by
zero-sum mechanics

66. Games shape how we see the world
Seize the opportunity
Think Co-op First

67. Team Co-op
Dan Cook
@danctheduck
Michael Molinari
@OneMrBean
Chelsea Howe
@manojalpa
Amy Jo Kim
@amyjokim
Sandie Richards
@sandierichards
shout-out to my co-conspirators