CEO Jesse Schell joins The Design Psychologist podcast to share how the psychology of play can shape attention, emotion, and motivation. Listeners will learn how game design principles apply far beyond games to create engaging and meaningful experiences in any field.
For 25 years, Carnegie Mellon University’s Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) has been a playground where dreamers, builders and storytellers innovate at the intersection of art and technology.
There's a book here that'll make you think, laugh, or maybe even reframe the way you play.
I read Jesse Schell’s book The Art of Game Design. In the book, he mentions about challenging assumptions, and I loved that.
Jesse Schell Predicts AI in Games 🤖 Jesse discusses AI-driven NPCs, procedural storytelling, and the future of interactive experiences.
Jesse Schell is the CEO of Schell Games, a team of more than one hundred fifty people with an impressive success streak. Some of their greatest success include games like Among Us and the “Expect You To Die” Trilogy and today we will dive into: What was the driving design principle when creating immersive experiences that stick with users How Schell games got affected by the changes on the Meta Store How he sees AI impacting the way we design and play games Why we don’t have a Killer app for XR yet
Alumni Achievements Schell Games’ “I Expect You To Die 3: Cog in the Machine” won the 2024 Best Independent Game Award as part of NYX’s annual Game of the Year awards.
This article explores the use of games in climate- and sustainability education and provides a set of assisting guidelines to ease the process of using games as communication tools about these pressing issues
Did you know that Schell Games was created so that Jesse could do contracting work and design trading cards for Disney? Nearly all of the original Toontown Online trading cards were written by Jesse Schell. It’s because of all of his hard work that the Toontown Team decided to commemorate Jesse into the Toontown lore canonically. We revealed our surprise Jaymo trading card, a depiction of Jesse Schell’s original Toon.
We caught up with game designer, author, and CEO of Schell Games Jesse Schell on his own origin story and the birth of I Expect You To Die.
I spoke with Aidan about how video game design can inform the creative process, finding inspiration in your creative passions, and why asking the right questions can aid creativity and creative pursuits.
In this article, I discuss how Schell Games avoided laying off any devs in 22 years and share strategies for building and maintaining a sustainable business in uncertain times.
I join the Professor Game Podcast to talk about what it's like being the CEO of Schell Games, how our company goes about making games, and our approach to designing them.
I spoke with the hosts of The Fourth Curtain podcast about my time with Disney Imagineering, predictions for the gaming industry, and Schell Games over the years.
In this podcast hosted by Gerald Ford, I talk about my book The Art of Game Design with a focus on the Deck of Lenses. Learn more about the inspiration for the system and how it evolved over time.
In this episode of Wondrium's series "The Future of Entertainment," I discuss Schell Games' philosophy around designing virtual reality games.
In this video series for Penn State's "Humanities Works" program, I discuss the importance of humanities in the STEM field with Reagan, our VP of Art.
I joined Mighty Coconut's Lucas Martel, creator of Walkabout Mini Golf VR, for a virtual round of mini golf to discuss VR development approaches and the considerations of creating or remixing game genres on new technology.
In this interview with TechVibe Radio, COO Jake Witherell joins me to talk about Schell Games' 20-year journey and what we have planned for the next 20 years.
In this podcast interview with Garry, I talk about the inspiration for The Art of Game Design and the whys behind how the information in the book and the deck of lenses is presented.
In this episode of Audible Original SXSW Futurology Podcast, I talk about the future of entertainment in interactive virtual worlds.
I share my thoughts on Remake Learning Days and how they connect smaller organizations with the larger community.
I share five book recommendations that helped me become a better game designer. I hope they help you, too!
In this video, I chat with Mark Zuckerberg about developer opportunities using Meta's Presence Platform, share a sneak peek of our one-level passthrough demo I Expect You To Die: Home Sweet Home, and discuss the evolution of the VR industry.
As a member of the GamesBeat Metaverse Forum, my colleagues and I take a stab at defining the metaverse.
When it comes to combating motion sickness in VR, you first have to understand human physiology and perception. I cover some design choices to consider in this video.
In this GamesIndustry.Biz round up on predictions made 10 years ago, the team highlighted some predictions I made around handheld game systems, augmented reality, and Harry Potter.
ABC News stopped by the studio to cover the Schell Games Apprenticeship Program, a hands-on mix of classroom instruction and on-the-job training we're offering in partnership with the Community College of Allegheny County
In this interview on YouTube, I talked about how we created IEYTD and shared five game design tips that can help developers create better VR experiences.
I talked with our friends over at Meta Quest about our VR cooking simulator Lost Recipes, my path from juggler to game developer, and my time as a Disney Imagineer.
In this awesome interview with UploadVR, I revisit some predictions I made in 2016 about the future of VR and talk about how Schell Games has navigated this ever-growing industry.
In this edition of The Information newsletter, I shared some of my predictions around the growth of the VR Industry.
I joined Wil Wheaton, the voice of John Juniper in IEYTD2, for an interview about the immersive experience of VR and how we brought the game's leading character to life during a pandemic.
In this article, I join many other industry experts to talk about how the Oculus Quest is doing incredibly well and what this means for the growth of the VR industry overall.
After being recognized as a GamesIndustry.Biz US Best Place to Work and receiving the Diversity Award, I chat with Chris about Schell Games and what we do.
In this article, I revisit the predictions I made about the VR industry in 2019 and talk about how I was totally wrong -- in a good way.
In this interview, I joined forces with Charlie Amis, I Expect You To Die 2's Project Director, to talk about how we created a VR game in the middle of a pandemic.
I got the opportunity to chat with Rohas and NxTLvL about Schell Games for Techfluence 2021.
I got the opportunity to chat with Game Maker's Notebook about how my work in game development keeps me up to date as an educator, Schell Games' exploration in the virtual reality industry, and the importance of using all of the advantages afforded by 21st century technology to launch a career and overcome systemic disadvantages.
On Heroes of Reality Podcast, I share my "hero's journey" and how it pertains to Schell Game's mission of making experiences we are proud of with people we like to make the world a better place.
Virtual Reality is attracting a lot of interest these days from entrepreneurs and investors. But if you want to succeed in this emerging market, you need to understand what this new medium does best, and how to avoid common mistakes. In this interview, I share five tips for designing great VR games
There's a big difference between tapping ‘A’ to pull a trigger and having to physically do it in Virtual Reality. I sat down with Unmistakable Creative to discuss the present and future of virtual reality and how it will impact humanity.
Graystroke Media sat down with me to talk about my company, book, and job as a professor. This two part podcast explores how I view innovation and leadership in my career.
The COVID-19 stay at home orders have changed the VR landscape. I had the pleasure of speaking with LA Times to explore how VR has grown in popularity due to self-isolating practices.
After the success of the Oculus Quest, it’s clear that standalone VR headsets can bring VR to the mass market. I sat down with WccfTech to discuss the future of VR and how standalone headsets will help its growth.
Gamification is an important tool that can inspire people to change their behaviors and help them reach their goals. Due to my years of advocation of gamification, I was featured in this list of the top 20 influencers in gamification.
Sony is set to reveal a great deal about the PlayStation 5 in the coming months, but we don't know if there will be a PlayStation VR 2 unveiling alongside that. WccfTech asked me what I would like to see in a possible PlayStation VR 2.
Momentum is building for VR and there’s plenty of debate regarding what will come next. In this interview with the Motley Fool, I discuss my predictions for VR.
In this online hangout hosted by Katie Patrick, I share my knowledge on topics like game design theory, digital interfaces, AI applications for environmental data, and causing behavioral change with user interface design.
Gaming has grown at a rate beyond comprehension in the last decade. In this interview, I share my predictions regarding the next decade of gaming and predict that by 2025, the number of people playing VR daily will be in the tens of millions.
With a new decade upon us, many are thinking about just where the gaming industry is going to go. I had the pleasure of speaking with gaming publication GameZone to explore the future of VR, hardware, and location-based experiences.
Among the various branches of the gaming industry, VR is perhaps the one likely to change the most in 2020. In this interview, I talk with Matt Morgans from VGR about the importance of 2020 for the longevity of VR and why the future is looking bright.
During the 2017 Game Developer's Conference, I gave a speech presenting simple principles of game studio leadership that anyone can follow to become a better leader, no matter how big or small the team. Gamasutra explores this talk, which is now free via the GDC YouTube channel.
Developers are creating experiences to help surgeons and medical students hone their skills. In this article, I discuss the importance of our game, "Night Shift", that we developed in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh. Research has shown that doctors who play story-driven training simulators like our title outperform those who do not.
Location based VR is growing nearly as fast as home VR and the secret is replayability. TheGamer sat down with me to discuss the future of location based VR, what it would look like, and how to get the mass market interested.
TheGamer's Eric Switzer speaks with me regarding the future of VR. I make some predictions, namely that by 2024 there would certainly be well over 10 million people using all-in-one headsets like the Oculus Quest.
Starting a project can sometimes seem intimidating. There are many different processes and it takes months to build and design, so I spoke with Rob Alvarez from Professor Game Podcast to talk about how my studio tackles game creation.
Everyone has been buzzing with excitement over 'HistoryMaker VR' since it received a Phase II grant from the Department of Education. I sit down with FOX Bits to discuss the game and what impact it will have on the classroom.
Gamasutra lists my book, "The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses", among the top 7 must-read books for game designers.
Making weapons feel "real" in virtual reality is hard. Shacknews wanted to know how our 'Until You Fall' team is tackling that issue.
I write about how VR and AR use with children, and how companies can start getting prepared to serve this audience.
UploadVR's Ian Hamilton talks with me about the Oculus Quest and its possibility of making a big impact in the VR industry. I also make an announcement about our VR hit title, 'I Expect You To Die.'
I predict that the Oculus Quest will sell over 1 million units in 2019.
I am honored to receive this recognition during the same year Fred Rogers receives the KAPi Lifetime Achievement Award.
I am recognized as a Pioneer of Immersive Reality by the Immersive Perspective Awards. Thank you!
The creators of 'Room Escape Artist' thought my book could benefit anyone designing games and escape rooms, so they added it to "Room Escape Lover’s 2018 Holiday Buyer’s Guide"
When I joined Disney's VR studio, one of the projects I first worked on was DisneyQuest. This article explains the vision of DisneyQuest, up to the present.
I am interviewed by second grader and young scientist Nate Butkus about 'Happy Atoms', my games studio, and my time at Disney.
I am interviewed about our VR lab practice game show and the future of VR in education.
Max from the PG talks with me about 'HoloLAB Champions' and using VR for education.
'Game Thinking' Author Amy Jo Kim writes about how we have impacted each other in game design.
I am quoted mentioning our VR lab practice game show, 'HoloLAB Champions', and possibility of virtual labs replacing physical labs.
Justin from Otakus and Geeks plays my studio's VR lab practice game, 'HoloLAB Champions', and interviews me about its development.
I am interviewed about our VR lab practice game show, my take on VR in the classroom, and my studio's work in VR and AR
I provide my thoughts on guns and violence in video games.
Barbara Chamberlin and I co-wrote an article about questions educators should ask when implementing game-based learning in the classroom.
I am interviewed about the studio's work on educational and transformational games.
I am announced as the 2018 keynote speaker for the Future of Immersive Leisure (FOIL) Conference.
I talk about how I think VR will be useful for educational purposes.
I am quoted about how Pittsburgh has generated a lot of momentum in becoming a premier city for edtech companies.
I talk about how my studio is tackling issues in AR and VR, and how our activities support our mission statement.
I'm interviewed by Nathan Pettyjohn of the VRARA about 'I Expect You To Die', some of our other projects, and the future of VR/AR in gaming.
I talk about how the VR industry is growing slowly, and what we can expect in the next couple of years.
I talk about the growth of the virtual reality (VR) market.
I am interviewed by Dean Takahashi of Venture Beat about my studio, the experiences we design and develop, and being in the city of Pittsburgh.
Dean and I talk about how Pittsburgh is a great place to start a games studio.
A summary of the talk I did for the Chautauqua Institution Lecture Series.
A preview for my talk in the "Invention" Track for the Chautauqua Institution Lecture Series.
My AWE 2017 talk about the future of VR is highlighted, as well as my game studio's VR game, 'I Expect You To Die.'
This article highlights my views on the future of AR and VR.
Dean highlights the main points of my talk "Updates From The Future" that I gave at the 2017 Augmented World Expo.
I talk about how games like Happy Atoms can improve student learning.
I talk about our virtual reality chemistry lab, SuperChem VR, and why science teachers can benefit from using it.
I mention how my studio did something different to stand out in the mobile gaming space.
I talk about how my studio is creating content for this new learning platform.
I'm quoted about my VR predictions on consumer adoption.
An article that covers my GDC talk, "Lessons Learned from a Thousand Virtual Worlds"
Honored to be part of the first fellowship class of the Higher Education Video Game Alliance (HEVGA).
Jamie from Upload VR lists 12 'can't miss' talks at GDC 2017, including mine on virtual worlds.
I mention some games worth looking into if you're a game developer.
Part 2 of my interview with No BS Marketing.
In a podcast interview, we talk about my path to starting Schell Games, and the mentorship I received along the way.
My thoughts about the potential of VR/AR.
My comments about bringing games in Higher Ed. curriculum.
An interview I did talking about my book and my thoughts about the studio and the games industry
I'm speaking at GDC 2017 on "Lessons Learned from a Thousand Virtual Worlds"
Humbled and honored.
My reasons for creating Virtual and Augmented Reality games.
I wrote the foreword for the book.
My comments on asking consistent questions to playtesters.
A snippet of a topic mentioned when I was on a panel at Oculus Connect 3.
A podcast interview about my book and my thoughts on fighting games and the overall interest of video games.
My interview with the team from Don't Die.
Discussing a company that is leading the way through the "toys-to-life" space of the VR/AR industry
Talking about how virtual reality technology will take advantage of eye-tracking, and make virtual reality games the most social piece of technology around.
Discussing the benefits of using Kickstarter and Indiegogo
Talking about the growth of the VR market and our Happy Atoms project
My thoughts on the new Pokémon Go craze
Chatting about our new physical + digital chemistry set called Happy Atoms
Weighing in on differences in developing for the Rift and the Vive
I was named a 2016 Creator of the Year. Humbled :-)
I'll be talking at the 2016 Serious Play conference
My thoughts on why some games garner more publicity than others
A brief profile of my experience as an entrepreneur
Really quite honored to be named to this list
Recounting my background in VR
Discussing the importance of platform in VR game development
A quote about the longevity of VR in the market today
Talking about the evolution of VR
Describing the future of VR
I'm quoted on a VR prediction about Nintendo.
Pondering the public reaction to VR
Discussing the future of VR
Predicting the future of VR sales
Talking about the monetization and sales trajectory of VR
At GDC 16, I made some controversial predictions about the future of VR.
I predict Nintendo is working on a new VR game device.
A quick summary of my GDC VR talk
Talking about the potential impact of VR on the physical health of users
Weighing in on the future of VR
Talking about how this technology would be useful in VR
I'm quoted in this article about why we love playing SUPER hard games.
A podcast where I talk about VR and game design
Talking about the past, present and future of VR
My insights on VR as they relate to my book
Cool interview with the Game Informer Show where we talk about everything from my early career to the latest projects that I'm tackling
My opinion on the price tag for the upcoming Oculus Rift
Short article describing my talk at the 2015 VRX Conference (links to the video/slides included)
A description of my talk at Oculus Connect 2 (and a link to the video of it!)
Check out some awesome footage of the studio and learn how Pittsburgh is making a difference in the entertainment industry
Talking about the world of games and how they help students solve problems and explore new ideas
Making predictions about VR and AR over the next decade
Honored to be named to this list again
A brief description of my SATE 2015 talk in Pittsburgh
Podcast of me talking about VR and 'I Expect You To Die'
An in-depth recap of the Proto Awards ceremony, where 'I Expect You To Die' took home the top prize
A podcast discussing my six tips for making VR great
Tips for avoiding motion sickness in VR
An interesting recap of my Oculus Connect 2 talk with lots of pithy quotes
A terrific overview of my talk at Oculus Connect 2
I'm scheduled to speak about making virtual reality games at Oculus Connect 2.
Talking about the importance of accurately predicting the future at TechFestNW 2015
On the list of the most powerful people in Pittsburgh
I'm appearing as a keynote speaker at TechfestNW in August 2015
Discussion of the game The World of Lexica and my involvement with it
An in-depth look at virtual reality and the making of the game 'I Expect You To Die'
Television appearance about the new Daniel Tiger attraction at Idlewild Park
Discussing Idlewild Park's newest attraction Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood
Explaining why it is hard to create an alternate reality
Do we live in a video game?
Re-imagining Mr. Roger's Neighborhood at Idlewild Park
An overview of Schell Games and all the cool things we do
Discussing mind-bending matters about the universe on the Science Channel
I'm on "Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman" on the Science Channel
The tides are turning as video games become acceptable in the classroom.
Summary of my talk at the Games for Learning Summit 2015
Answering the question "what's the future for games in education?"
Talking about Lexica at the Games for Change Festival
Predicting how games will change the future of education in ten years
Complimentary quote from Greg Toppo regarding my company's project with Amplify
Describing homework as ineffective, and perhaps anti-learning
Quoting "The Art of Game Design" in this article about narrative in games
My 2010 "Beyond Facebook" talk is cited in this article about habit-forming technology
Referencing my 2010 Gamepocalypse talk in this article about heightened technological immersion
Concise overview of my 2015 GDC talk about game studio management
Podcast interview focused on the ins and outs of running a game development company, among other topics
Very flattering review of the latest edition of "The Art of Game Design"
Discussing Schell Games, Orion Trail and the game industry and its future
Hosting the awards ceremony at the Games for Change Festival 2015
My 2010 Gamepocalypse talk is referenced in this article about video games for those who don't have time to play them
Sharing game design knowledge in Finland
I got an award
Examples of people leading the way to making Pittsburgh a smarter city
Disrupting traditional education practices with a game about English Language Arts
Game design is an artful bit of business.
I made this neat list of top business leaders in Pittsburgh
I will give a talk about running an indie game studio at GDC 2015
A frank discussion on the history and future of virtual reality
Serious game development continues to flourish as a vehicle for formal and informal health education.
Developing socio-emotional games for very young children
The different ways to experience growth in your career
A brief overview of Schell Games, transformational games and games in education
Talking about video games without video
Weighing in on game design education
Discussing the relationship between the player and his video game character
Examining technology as both additive and educational
I will host the 2014 Games for Change Awards
Games as a public relations strategy
Using virtual reality to define space
Interview with TechVibe Radio discussing some of the recent events at Schell Games
A reflection on my Power of Touch presentation given at Dare ProtoPlay in 2013
An interview that explores current issues in the game industry, transformational games and my recent Game Changer award
A summary of my recent talk at the Serious Play Conference
An examination of game-based learning
A review of some of the things I'm doing and additional insight into my studio's focus on transformational games
Useful summary of my participation in the various events at the Serious Play Conference 2103
An in-depth explanation of GameSprout, an online community where anyone can become a game developer
Touch UI is changing the way people interact with digital content.
Speaking with David Caballero of Gamereactor ES to discuss transformational games and my talk at Gamelab.
A Q&A discussion describing GameSprout
Did Microsoft make a mistake when listening to its customers about the new XBox console?
A prediction that robots will be the new accessory in video games
I talk about game monetization, game utopia, game guilt and more
My "wanna vs hafta" theory is referenced in this article about behavior change apps
GameSprout is growing quickly after only one month since its beta release
At Gamelab 2013 I reveal data from EEDAR that suggests game demos halve sales
I'm in this article about games for change
Describing Lexica, a game developed for Amplify that supports language arts skills
An overview of my 2013 Games for Change talk about the future of education
Using games to accentuate the learning experience in the classroom
Discussion of Schell Games' focus on transformational games and my 'Game Changer' award
My thoughts on the serious games industry and why I prefer the term 'transformational games'
Games for Change bestows the first ever Game Changer award
Understanding how pleasure affects the human mind can optimize game design
Motivational design and a 'merit badge' system of rewards can backfire when gamification isn't used properly.
Interview detailing the highlights of my Gamification Summit 2013 talk
I talk about the first game I ever made professionally.
Video discussing the game education and the current state of the game industry
In-depth podcast interview
Can we tell stories through games as powerful and enduring as those from Shakespeare?
Gamification isn't always the best way to motivate.
Discussing gamification and its impact on the future.
Making the work environment more enjoyable can be better than gamifying it in most cases
Do you really need a game demo?
Examining the future of game consoles
Game developers are leading the way to an enjoyment-based economy.
Has my predication regarding the gamification of everything come true?
Light-hearted interview with Joystiq
Overview of Puzzle Clubhouse, my experiment in crowd-sourced game design
An examination of Puzzle Clubhouse
I talk about everything with Edge Online
Explaining the ins and outs of Puzzle Clubhouse
Discussing the potential of online games and mobile apps to help users track and improve their own health