Building Safe and Trusted VR Experiences
Meta Connect 2023In this panel, I discuss how Schell Games balances free user communication and safe, respectful player communities to build safe and trusted experiences.
Upcoming Talks
Featured Talks
Will the Metaverse Kill Reality?
Crosscut Ideas FestivalIn this panel, I discuss the big bets tech companies have placed on the Metaverse, why consumers are slow to adapt this technology platform, and what the future of the Metaverse could look like.
The Secret Process for Making Games that Matter
2017 Games for Change FestivalIn collaboration with Barbara Chamberlin from Learning Games Lab, we will be presenting parts of the book we are writing.
Updates From the Future
Augmented World ExpoWhich AR and VR technologies will still be around in 10 years? I make some predictions, and help you make your own.
Game Studio Leadership: You Can Do It
GDC 2017My tips to anyone who is in a leadership position at a game studio, or who is considering taking on a leadership position.
Making Great VR: Lessons Learned from 'I Expect You To Die'
Oculus Connect 2Tips for making engaging, entertaining VR experiences, including many specific examples from 'I Expect You To Die'.
Imagining 2025: 5 Big Questions for Learning Games
Games for Learning SummitImagining what education might look like in ten years (starting at 17:44)
Visions of the Gamepocalypse
Long Now's Seminar SeriesPredictions on the gamification of everything
All Talks
2024
AI and the Future of Transformational Games
Games for Change FestivalRapid advances in AI promise to transform the face of education, games, and all of society. In this keynote panel, luminaries of tech and education will paint a picture of the AI future of games and education.
Quest for Innovation: Designing Mixed Reality Games
AWE USA 2024Schell Games CEO Jesse Schell is speaking on a panel at AWE USA 2024. His panel, Quest for Innovation: Designing Mixed Reality Games, will be held on June 19, 2024, and dives into the intricacies of crafting mixed reality games for Quest while uncovering how to leverage advanced features and innovative mechanics for immersive experiences that bridge the digital and physical worlds. The Augmented World Expo (AWE) brings together companies and professionals to connect and grow their business in the XR ecosystem. The AWE community operates around the world to offer a series of major conferences and exhibitions, classes and workshops, and more.
The Future of MR Experiences: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Building for Mixed Reality
GDC 2024In this talk, presented by Meta, I drew upon 30 years of experience with VR and AR to illustrate where this technology is now, where it is headed, and how by understanding the psychology of mixed reality you can successfully avoid pitfalls and invent the future of gaming.
2023
Building Safe and Trusted VR Experiences
Meta Connect 2023In this panel, I discuss how Schell Games balances free user communication and safe, respectful player communities to build safe and trusted experiences.
XR in Education: What Works, What's Next
Devising 21st Century Higher EducationIn this talk, I cover uses for extended reality in education -- including what works and what the future may look like.
Will the Metaverse Kill Reality?
Crosscut Ideas FestivalIn this panel, I discuss the big bets tech companies have placed on the Metaverse, why consumers are slow to adapt this technology platform, and what the future of the Metaverse could look like.
Keynote: The Nature of Order in Game Narrative
Computer Simulation & Gaming Conference (CSGC)In the evening keynote at CSGC, I talked about how to create an interactive story experience that resonates with players across years.
The Metaverse Panel: Is this a new way of talking about existing things or a new thing all together?
KidTech MiamiOn this KidTech Miami panel, I dug into what the Metaverse is and how brands might take advantage of the opportunities it brings.
2022
Keynote: The Metaverse. What's Now, What's Next
Clash of Realities ConferenceIn this keynote, I explore what new mixed reality innovations are working now, and which ones are likely to make a difference for all of us soon.
Opening Keynote: The Future of XR and Education
iLRN 2022
Opening Keynote
2022 Play Make Learn Conference
The future of immersive games and gamified experiences
GamesBeat SummitIn this panel, I talk about the future of immersive games and gamified experiences, both in the short and in the long term.
2021
holoride - Adding Thrill to Every Ride
AWE USA 2021I returned to AWE USA to present with holoride's CEO + Co-Founder, Nils Wollny. In this Unity-sponsored panel, we talked about how extended reality experiences will forever change the future of in-vehicle entertainment.
Learn About Video Game Design
Hart to Heart with Laura HartI had the chance to talk with my colleague, Laura Hart, about what we do at Schell Games, how I got started in the video game industry, and about Happy Atoms, HoloLAB Champions, and HistoryMaker VR.
Ten Years of the Federal Games Guild (FGG) and the Emergence of Learning Games in Education: Fireside Chat
2021 ED Games ExpoIn this fireside chat with Tracy Fullerton, we talk about how far game-based learning and serious games have come over the past ten years and look ahead to see what sort of impact we can expect from games on student learning.
How the Learning Game Was Made: By Schell Games
2021 ED Games ExpoAlong with some of my colleagues, we hosted a talk where students learned how we create award-winning educational games like HoloLAB Champions.
Story Stacks and Game Pillars, the Champions of Until You Fall's Game Design
VRTODave Bennett and I talk about how we fine-tuned Until You Fall's player experience using story stack and game pillars -- two of the critical pillars behind Schell Games' design process.
iLRN 2021 Closing Keynote
Immersive Learning Research Network (iLRN) 2021I was the Distinguished Closing Keynote Speaker for iLRN 2021 -- an event that explores how learning can be accelerated with XR technology.
Navigating A Career in Games: Academia and Industry
UC Santa Cruz Arts Professional PathwaysI spoke on a panel featuring academicians and game developers to talk to UC Santa Cruz students about how to jumpstart a career in the gaming industry.
Will VR Unlock the Promise of the Metaverse?
GamesBeat Presents: Into the MetaverseOn this panel, I explain why now is the perfect time for experimentation in virtual reality, the role of virtual reality in the pandemic, and how the industry will evolve in the future.
2020
The Intuition Revolution
The Intuition RevolutionIntuition, the ability to understand something immediately, is important for Artificial Intelligence. I'll be speaking on intuition and machines during this event.
Liftoff PGH 2020
Liftoff PGH 2020Throughout the month of December, Liftoff PGH is activating the leading disruptors across Pittsburgh's technology, health, education, and entrepreneurship sectors. I will be speaking at the region's first virtual healthcare innovation summit.
Pittsburgh's Philanthropic Community Finding Ways to Give Back
Corporate Philanthropy and Crisis Recovery WebinarThe COVID-19 pandemic has been hard on everyone, especially small businesses. I joined this online panel to discuss how the region can better adapt its philanthropic efforts and meet the needs of our community during these difficult times.
Educational VR Games at XPRIZE Connect
XPRIZE ConnectVR, especially regarding education, is changing rapidly as developers continue to innovate this medium. In this presentation, I explain the lessons Schell Games has learned and focus on how to edit small design details for big payoffs.
Educational VR Games: Lessons Learned
Games for Change Virtual FestivalSchell Games has been working hard to innovate in the VR space, releasing over a dozen different VR games. In this presentation, I show two projects we've made, explain the lessons we learned, and focus on small design details that made a big difference.
Games to Train the Healthcare Force
Games for Change Virtual FestivalIn light of the global COVID-19 crisis, games have been viewed as tools for resilience, inter-connectedness, and wellbeing. I will be joining the Games for Change Virtual Festival to discuss my experience on using games to train the healthcare force.
Forming an Organization to Promote Game-Based Learning Devs
Serious Play ConferenceOn this panel I discussed the pros and cons of having an industry association focused on Game-Based Learning.
Huntington Breakfast Briefing: Schell Games CEO
Schell Games’ mission is to create experiences we are proud of, with people we like, so we can make the world a better place. During this talk, I explain the vision of Schell Games and explore how we help the world’s largest and most innovative organizations engage, entertain, and inspire their audiences.
2019
How VR and AR Are Changing the World
Flash SymposiumWhat are VR and AR are good for, how do they work, and where they are likely to take us in the coming decade? In this lecture, I answer those questions and also have audience members experience some of Schell Games' work.
ToonTown Rewritten Panel
ToonFest at ReplayFX 2019During this panel, I reflect with fellow designer, Shawn Patton, about working on ToonTown and play the game with audience members.
Fireside Chat about LBE and Game Design
BrightTALKBusiness models for location based games differ from the rest of the game industry. I participated in a 'fireside chat' style talk with other game developers to discuss how making the move to LBVR compares with developing successful titles for the home consumer market.
Teaching Puzzle Design
GDC 2019Puzzles are integrated into many games both digital and analog, but designing a great puzzle can be an elusive challenge: too easy bores the player, too hard frustrates them. In this talk, I discuss the pitfalls and best practices related to teaching puzzle design.
Rules of the Game 2019: Five New Techniques from Especially Astute Designers
GDC 2019I will be on a panel with four other game designers talking about what techniques are necessary for game design in 2019 and beyond.
2018
What's Now, What's Next?
Dust or Magic InstituteI will be speaking to the conference attendees about the latest technology in children's entertainment and education.
A Recipe for Meaning: Making the Real Relevant
TEA SATE-Orlando 2018I am on a panel discussing how to make concepts tangible and enjoyable to audiences.
Talk at FEI
Pittsburgh Financial Executives International ChapterI will be talking about my role in running the largest education and entertainment game design studio in the United States.
The Secret Process for Creating Games that Matter
Connected Learning Summit
Toontown Rewritten Panel
ReplayFX
Hololab Champions VR: The Making of a VR Chemistry Lab
Games for ChangeI will be talking about designing and developing our VR chemistry game show, HoloLAB Champions.
Jesse Schell on Craft
Creative MorningsI will be giving a talk based on Creative Mornings' monthly theme: 'Craft'
The New Culture of Creativity: From the Information Age to the Imagination Age
International Creativity SummitI'm on a panel that will talk about how to use creativity and innovation in the "next era."
2018 Keynote Address
Future of Immersive LeisureI did a 'fireside chat' style address to talk about VR and how the industry is progressing.
Developer Q & A
GDC 2018I'm on a panel with other game developers answering questions about player behavior.
The Nature of Order in Game Narrative
GDC 2018One of the fondest hopes of any game writer is to create an interactive story experience that stays; something that people will want to play over and over, and love so much that they will pass it on to their children. How can you create something that persistent?
You Can Do More Than You Think: Memories of Randy Pausch
The 10th Anniversary of "The Last Lecture"I reflect on how Randy Pausch got me involved with Carnegie Mellon University's Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) and how he encouraged me to start my game studio, Schell Games.
So You Want to be a Game Developer?
Ed Games ExpoI was on a panel with other game developers talking about my career and steps to take in order to get into designing and developing video games.
2017
3rd Integrative Conference on Technology, Social Media, and Behavioral Health
3rd Integrative Conference on Technology, Social Media, and Behavioral HealthI am the afternoon keynote for the conference.
Game Studio Leadership- You Can Do It!
Southern Interactive Entertainment and Game Expo (SIEGE) 2017Being a leader at a game studio is terrifying. Most of us have had no formal leadership training, and the training that exists often does not apply to game development. But there are simple principles of game studio leadership that can help anyone become a better leader, no matter how big or small your team.
The Secret Process for Making Games that Matter
2017 Games for Change FestivalIn collaboration with Barbara Chamberlin from Learning Games Lab, we will be presenting parts of the book we are writing.
The Industry Circle Town Hall
2017 Games for Change FestivalI am representing Schell Games as part of Games For Change's Industry Circle.
ToonFest Panel
ReplayFXShawn Patton and I will be attending ReplayFX to be on a panel during ToonTown Rewritten's ToonFest.
How Can Serious Games Bring More Innovation, like Multi Discipline and Immersive Learning to Education and Training?
Serious Play ConferenceI am on a panel discussing how serious games can improve education and training.
SuperChem: The VR Chemistry Lab
Serious Play ConferenceI go over some AR/VR predictions and then introduce SuperChem VR.
Panel - VR in the Classroom: Practices, Challenges and Opportunities
2017 Games for Change FestivalI'll be on a panel discussing the potential of VR in education.
Chautauqua Amphitheater Lecture Series
Chautauqua’s Amphitheater Lecture SeriesMy thoughts on how virtual reality will change the world
Updates From the Future
Augmented World ExpoWhich AR and VR technologies will still be around in 10 years? I make some predictions, and help you make your own.
Lessons Learned from a Thousand Virtual Worlds
VRDC @ GDC 2017My students at CMU have created over 1000 experimental VR worlds. In this talk, through many examples, I will present lessons learned from watching, guiding, and experiencing these experiments.
Game Studio Leadership: You Can Do It
GDC 2017My tips to anyone who is in a leadership position at a game studio, or who is considering taking on a leadership position.
The Studio Survival Roundtable
GDC 2017Most game studios go out of business within five years. Others stand the test of time. What is their secret? Me and other game studio leaders tell our stories.
Teaching Virtual Reality Game Development
GDC 2017I'm on a panel discussing best practices in teaching VR game development.
Virtual Reality and the Future of Chemistry Education
Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh (SSP) February MeetingI will be talking about VR in Chemistry education as part of the technology forum segment of SSP's monthly meeting.
2016
Mixing Things You Can Touch with Things You Can Imagine
Dust or Magic 2016Thoughts on the state of AR and VR technologies, applied to learning settings.
The Evolving Landscape of PC VR Game Design
Oculus Connect 3I will be on a panel discussing how virtual reality is evolving in the PC space and beyond.
An In-Depth Look at Outcomes for At-Risk Teens through Games-Based Learning
Serious Play Conference 2016Dr. Lynn Fiellin and I discuss the development of PlayForward and the outcomes associated with its gameplay
Virtual Reality and the Future of Education
Serious Play Conference 2016Thoughts on how emerging virtual reality technology will affect education
The Future of Virtual Reality and Education
Games for Change 2016Describing a future where education and virtual reality collide
Project Tango Developer Panel
Google I/ODevelopers discuss their experiences building on Project Tango, from tips on how to get started to thoughts on how Project Tango will change the way we play, work and live.
Teaching Analog Game Design
Game Developers Conference 2016A panel discussion assessing the benefits of analog game design
Forty Predictions about Virtual Reality
2016 Virtual Reality Analytics Web SummitTalking about the future of AR and VR
Lessons Learned from 'I Expect You To Die': New Puzzles, New Hands
VRDCShawn Patton and I discuss tips for making great VR.
The Future of Gaming
Computer Gaming: Your Place in the Future!A discussion on careers in game development
How Schell Games’ Transformational Games Are Changing Education
Games for Change Google HangoutHighlighting all the cool transformational games currently in development at Schell Games
Winning the Talent War: Culture Leaders of the Year
Pittsburgh Technology Council Breakfast Series
2015
VR and AR: 2016, 2020 and 2025
VRX Conference & ExpoDelivering analytical insight into what we can expect from VR/AR in the coming decade
Imagining 2025: Five Big Questions for Learning Games
TRETCExploring the future of games in education
The Pleasure Revolution
Get TomorrowExplaining the surprising consequences of the new world of pleasure-based design
Curiosity, Patience, and Purpose
Bridgeside Research ForumLooking for a big breakthrough? Here's three ingredients that might lead to success. Personal stories included.
Practical Techniques for Predicting the Future
Made In PittsburghSharing five valuable techniques for envisioning things to come
Lessons from Game Design
Midwest UX Conference 2015How to apply game design principles to all kinds of design
Predicting the Future
Fall Publishers' Round TableSome useful techniques for determining the future
Making Great VR: Lessons Learned from 'I Expect You To Die'
Oculus Connect 2Tips for making engaging, entertaining VR experiences, including many specific examples from 'I Expect You To Die'.
Understanding the Impact of Virtual Reality
TEA SATEAnswering questions about how virtual reality will impact location-based entertainment in the future
Practical Techniques for Predicting the Future
TechFestNW 2015Can we predict the future? Here are some tips that just might show you the way.
Executive Overview
Corporate Education Program
Happy Atoms
Serious Play 2015The story of how the Happy Atoms project came to be, the many adventures we have had during development, and plans to take it to launch!
Three Rivers Village School Meeting 2015
Three Rivers Village School
Pittsburgh WPO Meeting 2015
World President Organization
Round Table: Design to Inspire
Transformational Experiences Summit 2015Leading an informed discussion on designing transformational media
Attack from All Directions: Building Games with Multiple Paths of Transformation
Games for Change Festival 2015Using the game Lexica (created with Amplify Learning) to describe the transformational games design process
Imagining 2025: 5 Big Questions for Learning Games
Games for Learning SummitImagining what education might look like in ten years (starting at 17:44)
Game Studio Management: Making It Great
Game Developers Conference 2015Sharing concrete methods for keeping a game studio happy, healthy and producing great games
The Making of Lexica: A Truly Massive Tablet Game
Game Developers Conference 2015Describing the lessons learned in creating arguably the largest tablet game ever created
Family Time: Finding the Natural Fit for Interactive Technology
Digital Kids Conference 2015Panel discussion on using technology to enhance traditional family activities
Pittsburgh IGDA Meeting 2015
Pittsburgh IGDA Meeting 2015
2014
You Can Do More Than You Think
5th Annual Randy Pausch ForumRecounting my relationship with Randy Pausch, author of "The Last Lecture."
Start Thinking Now
TEDx Youth@HotMetalBridgeFour ways in which technology will change humanity in the future
Information Flow: The Secret to Successful Teamwork
TSP Symposium 2014Examining the secret forces that help teams succeed or cause them to fail
Attack from All Directions: Building Ed Games with Multiple Paths of Transformation
Dust or Magic 2014Exploring the newest designs in educational games
Attack From All Directions
Meaningful Play 2014Discussing the Schell Games method for meeting educational goals through various paths of transformation
INI 2014 Graduation Keynote
Commencement at Carnegie Mellon University's Information Networking InstituteKeynoting the graduation ceremony of students from Carnegie Mellon University's Information Networking Institute
Games, Curiosity and the Future of Education
Excelsior CollegeDiscussing new educational technological developments and their potential impact
Turning Fantasy into Reality
Games for Change Festival 2014Panel discussion about building games that schools really want
Games for Change Festival 2014 Awards Ceremony
Games for Change Festival 2014Hosting the 2014 Games for Change awards ceremony
The Challenge of Authentic Caring
Games for Change Festival 2014Exploring the definition of “authentic caring” and its relevance to game development
2013
Q&A Session with Jesse Schell
Globant Webinar 2013My thoughts on educational games, the creative process and his predictions for the future of game platforms
What Games Are Good At
Serious Play 2013Keynote describing the benefits of games in relation to education
Secrets of Amazing Transformational Games
Serious Play 2013Workshop talk about transformational games
The Power of Touch
Dare ProtoPlay 2013As part of Dare ProtoPlay, Jesse Schell launches Dare Jam by speaking on convergence and gamification.
The Power of Touch
Casual Connect 2013The past, present, and future of touch-based gaming, and how it is changing the next generation of gamers
Psychology + Technology = Destiny
Gamelab 2013A talk presented in Barcelona about the ten psychological realities that affect our use of technology
Sheep, Goats & Future of Education
Games for Change Festival 2013Supporting curiosity in the classroom while preserving student self-discipline
Amplify Learning Panel
Games for Change Festival 2013Introducing Lexica, a game to inspire middle schoolers to read the classics
SmallTalks Performance
InterActivity 2013A theatrical performance at the Association of Children's Museum's annual conference (limited audio)
The Pleasure Revolution: Why Games Will Lead the Way
Gamification Summit 2013An overview of motivational design in games
The Future of Storytelling: How Medium Shapes Story
Game Developers Conference 2013Analyzing different ways in which game narratives might change in the future
The Pleasure Revolution: Why Games Will Lead the Way
CFO Rising East 2013A discussion of motivational design
What is Magic?
Dust or Magic 2013Curiosity, wonder and imagination are key to understanding the world.
Global Game Jam: Jesse Schell Keynote for Games for Change Locations
Global Game Jam 2013Three tips on making games to change the world
2012
Game Educators Rant!
Game Developers Conference 2012Discussing grants for game making (starting at 43:00)
2011
The Pleasure Revolution: Why Games Will Lead the Way
Google Tech Talks 2011How games can change our lives
Information Flow: The Secret to Studio Structure
IGDA Leadership Forum 2011A discussion of studio design and ways for improving the flow of information through an organization
Make Games, Not War
Games for Change Festival 2011Keynote describing the effects of games on violence in society
Women in Games
Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business 10th Annual Women In Gaming (WIG) EventInsights on how women are changing the game industry
The Great Gamification Debate!
Game Developers Conference 2011A deep critical analysis of the emergent gamification space as debated by several luminaries in the industry
2010
Visions of the Gamepocalypse
Long Now's Seminar SeriesPredictions on the gamification of everything
Ten Speakers, 200 Slides, Limitless Ideas!
Game Developers Conference 2010Ten great speakers reveal fresh ideas, unexpected vantage points and creativity around games and play
Kids and Parents Playing Together Online
Game Developers Conference 2010Using games to bring kids and parents together
2009
A Guided Tour of The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses
Game Developers Conference 2009A guided tour of my book "The Art of Game Design"
2008
Tribute to Randy Pausch
Randy Pausch memorial serviceRemembering Randy's advice that "you can do more than you think"
Hardcore Games for Casual Audiences
Game Developers Conference 2008Turning hardcore video games into something loved by casual players
2007
3 Up/3 Down
Game Developers Conference 2007Panelists posit three positive and three negative developments in the serious games space