Upcoming Talks

Featured Talks

Game Studio Principles: A Case Study

GDC 2025

Every game studio is driven by core principles, but those principles are not always clearly stated, often because leaders are afraid they will seem like corporate doublespeak or inauthentic cheerleading. But clearly stated principles can strengthen a studio by creating clear communication about what is actually important. In this talk, Jesse Schell, the author of The Art of Game Design, will show the benefits you can gain by clearly defining your mission statement, core values, key principles, and top priority. As examples, the 18 principles that have helped Schell Games thrive for over twenty years will be revealed and discussed for the first time.

AI and the Future of Transformational Games

Games for Change Festival

Rapid 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.

Building Safe and Trusted VR Experiences

Meta Connect 2023

In this panel, I discuss how Schell Games balances free user communication and safe, respectful player communities to build safe and trusted experiences.

Will the Metaverse Kill Reality?

Crosscut Ideas Festival

In 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 Festival

In 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 Expo

Which 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 2017

My 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 2

Tips 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 Summit

Imagining what education might look like in ten years (starting at 17:44)

Visions of the Gamepocalypse

Long Now's Seminar Series

Predictions on the gamification of everything

Seeing

ARE 2010

Augmented reality and the future of gaming

The Future of Virtual Characters

Unite 2010

How virtual characters will change our world

Beyond Facebook

D.I.C.E. 2010

When games invade real life

The Future is Beautiful

TEDx UniPittsburgh 2010

Using games to improve education

All Talks

2025

Using Game Design Principles to Improve Classroom Engagement and Learning

Northeastern State University Keynote Address

The State of XR Gaming and What to Expect in the Future

AWE 2025

A new initiative at AWE USA 2025, the AWE Gaming Hub included XR game demos, talks, and networking geared specifically for XR game developers and other stakeholders. Join us as Scott Stein of CNET chats with Jesse Schell of Schell Games and Paul Brady / Tommy Palm of Resolution Games about the state of XR gaming and what's around the corner. Topics will include: Will XR gaming be a result or a driving force behind adoption and market growth? Will mixed reality create more immersive and seamless experiences? What are the thoughts about a shift to more glasses-like headsets and what would the effect be on VR vs MR gaming?

Very Different Tales: How Game Stories Change by Genre and Medium

LudoNarraCon

We all love stories in our games, but the way stories engage us changes quite a lot between titles, genres and even mediums. What works well in a PC game may have to be rethought for mobile or might need to be even more radically different for VR or AR. What about the different stories told in a game that uses only a mouse for input versus a complex strategy game that requires all the keys on a keyboard? Our panelists come from a range of games told in all different media, from Watchdogs: Legion to Homeworld: Vast Reaches to Among Us VR to to As Dusk Falls, and they all know something about the shifting ways stories are told across genre and medium. In this spirited discussion we’ll cover why game stories are all so incredibly different, while also diving into what unifies the best game narratives.

Game Studio Principles: A Case Study

GDC 2025

Stories of Studio Stability (Two-Day Roundtable)

GDC 2025

Layoffs are the bane of the game industry. And while some studios lay off developers frequently, some studios have managed to avoid that painful and drastic step. How do they do it? Is it just luck, or is there more to it than that? In this roundtable, developers who have been on teams that have found ways to avoid layoffs are invited to tell the stories of how they managed this rare feat. The roundtable will be led by Jesse Schell, CEO of Schell Games, a team of over 150 developers that has had zero layoffs in its 22 year history.

2024

ToonTown: A Chat with Jesse Schell

ToonFest Columbus

An interview style panel where we talk with the Creative Director of Toontown Online, Jesse Schell, about all things Toontown! Come along for his captivating stories and special insight into the history of Toontown.

AI and the Future of Transformational Games

Games for Change Festival

Quest for Innovation: Designing Mixed Reality Games

AWE USA 2024

Schell 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 2024

In 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 2023

In 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 Education

In 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 Festival

In 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 Miami

On 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 Conference

In 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 Summit

In 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 2021

I 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 Hart

I 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 Expo

In 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 Expo

Along 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

VRTO

Dave 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) 2021

I 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 Pathways

I 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 Metaverse

On 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

Intuition, 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

Throughout 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 Webinar

The 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 Connect

VR, 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 Festival

Schell 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 Festival

In 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 Conference

On 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 Symposium

What 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 2019

During 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

BrightTALK

Business 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 2019

Puzzles 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 2019

I 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 Institute

I 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 2018

I am on a panel discussing how to make concepts tangible and enjoyable to audiences.

Talk at FEI

Pittsburgh Financial Executives International Chapter

I 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

The New Culture of Creativity: From the Information Age to the Imagination Age

International Creativity Summit

I'm on a panel that will talk about how to use creativity and innovation in the "next era."

Jesse Schell on Craft

Creative Mornings

I will be giving a talk based on Creative Mornings' monthly theme: 'Craft'

Hololab Champions VR: The Making of a VR Chemistry Lab

Games for Change

I will be talking about designing and developing our VR chemistry game show, HoloLAB Champions.

Developer Q & A

GDC 2018

I'm on a panel with other game developers answering questions about player behavior.

2018 Keynote Address

Future of Immersive Leisure

I did a 'fireside chat' style address to talk about VR and how the industry is progressing.

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.

The Nature of Order in Game Narrative

GDC 2018

One 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?

So You Want to be a Game Developer?

Ed Games Expo

I 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

I am the afternoon keynote for the conference.

Game Studio Leadership- You Can Do It!

Southern Interactive Entertainment and Game Expo (SIEGE) 2017

Being 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 Festival

In 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 Festival

I am representing Schell Games as part of Games For Change's Industry Circle.

ToonFest Panel

ReplayFX

Shawn Patton and I will be attending ReplayFX to be on a panel during ToonTown Rewritten's ToonFest.

SuperChem: The VR Chemistry Lab

Serious Play Conference

I go over some AR/VR predictions and then introduce SuperChem VR.

How Can Serious Games Bring More Innovation, like Multi Discipline and Immersive Learning to Education and Training?

Serious Play Conference

I am on a panel discussing how serious games can improve education and training.

Panel - VR in the Classroom: Practices, Challenges and Opportunities

2017 Games for Change Festival

I'll be on a panel discussing the potential of VR in education.

Chautauqua Amphitheater Lecture Series

Chautauqua’s Amphitheater Lecture Series

My thoughts on how virtual reality will change the world

Updates From the Future

Augmented World Expo

Which AR and VR technologies will still be around in 10 years? I make some predictions, and help you make your own.

Teaching Virtual Reality Game Development

GDC 2017

I'm on a panel discussing best practices in teaching VR game development.

The Studio Survival Roundtable

GDC 2017

Most 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.

Game Studio Leadership: You Can Do It

GDC 2017

My tips to anyone who is in a leadership position at a game studio, or who is considering taking on a leadership position.

Lessons Learned from a Thousand Virtual Worlds

VRDC @ GDC 2017

My 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.

Virtual Reality and the Future of Chemistry Education

Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh (SSP) February Meeting

I 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 2016

Thoughts on the state of AR and VR technologies, applied to learning settings.

The Evolving Landscape of PC VR Game Design

Oculus Connect 3

I 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 2016

Dr. 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 2016

Thoughts on how emerging virtual reality technology will affect education

The Future of Virtual Reality and Education

Games for Change 2016

Describing a future where education and virtual reality collide

Project Tango Developer Panel

Google I/O

Developers 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.

Forty Predictions about Virtual Reality

2016 Virtual Reality Analytics Web Summit

Talking about the future of AR and VR

Teaching Analog Game Design

Game Developers Conference 2016

A panel discussion assessing the benefits of analog game design

Forty Predictions for VR/AR through 2025

VRDC

Predicting the future of AR and VR

Lessons Learned from 'I Expect You To Die': New Puzzles, New Hands

VRDC

Shawn 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 Hangout

Highlighting 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

Jesse Schell and His Happy Atoms

Digital Kids Conference 2016

Learn about Happy Atoms, the newest tool for teaching molecular chemistry

Vision 2020

Vision Summit 2016

Panel discussion about the future of VR and AR

2015

VR and AR: 2016, 2020 and 2025

VRX Conference & Expo

Delivering analytical insight into what we can expect from VR/AR in the coming decade

Imagining 2025: Five Big Questions for Learning Games

TRETC

Exploring the future of games in education

The Pleasure Revolution

Get Tomorrow

Explaining the surprising consequences of the new world of pleasure-based design

Curiosity, Patience, and Purpose

Bridgeside Research Forum

Looking for a big breakthrough? Here's three ingredients that might lead to success. Personal stories included.

Practical Techniques for Predicting the Future

Made In Pittsburgh

Sharing five valuable techniques for envisioning things to come

Predicting the Future

Fall Publishers' Round Table

Some useful techniques for determining the future

Lessons from Game Design

Midwest UX Conference 2015

How to apply game design principles to all kinds of design

Making Great VR: Lessons Learned from 'I Expect You To Die'

Oculus Connect 2

Tips for making engaging, entertaining VR experiences, including many specific examples from 'I Expect You To Die'.

Understanding the Impact of Virtual Reality

TEA SATE

Answering questions about how virtual reality will impact location-based entertainment in the future

Practical Techniques for Predicting the Future

TechFestNW 2015

Can we predict the future? Here are some tips that just might show you the way.

Executive Overview

Corporate Education Program

Happy Atoms

Serious Play 2015

The 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 2015

Leading an informed discussion on designing transformational media

Attack from All Directions: Building Games with Multiple Paths of Transformation

Games for Change Festival 2015

Using 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 Summit

Imagining what education might look like in ten years (starting at 17:44)

Game Studio Management: Making It Great

Game Developers Conference 2015

Sharing 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 2015

Describing the lessons learned in creating arguably the largest tablet game ever created

Family Time: Finding the Natural Fit for Interactive Technology

Digital Kids Conference 2015

Panel discussion on using technology to enhance traditional family activities

Game Development Careers

Grove City College

On pursuing a career in game development

Pittsburgh IGDA Meeting 2015

2014

You Can Do More Than You Think

5th Annual Randy Pausch Forum

Recounting my relationship with Randy Pausch, author of "The Last Lecture."

Start Thinking Now

TEDx Youth@HotMetalBridge

Four ways in which technology will change humanity in the future

Nimble

Unboxed by Leadership Pittsburgh

The power of curiosity and the future of games in education

Information Flow: The Secret to Successful Teamwork

TSP Symposium 2014

Examining the secret forces that help teams succeed or cause them to fail

Attack From All Directions

Meaningful Play 2014

Discussing the Schell Games method for meeting educational goals through various paths of transformation

Attack from All Directions: Building Ed Games with Multiple Paths of Transformation

Dust or Magic 2014

Exploring the newest designs in educational games

INI 2014 Graduation Keynote

Commencement at Carnegie Mellon University's Information Networking Institute

Keynoting the graduation ceremony of students from Carnegie Mellon University's Information Networking Institute

Games, Curiosity and the Future of Education

Excelsior College

Discussing new educational technological developments and their potential impact

Turning Fantasy into Reality

Games for Change Festival 2014

Panel discussion about building games that schools really want

Games for Change Festival 2014 Awards Ceremony

Games for Change Festival 2014

Hosting the 2014 Games for Change awards ceremony

The Challenge of Authentic Caring

Games for Change Festival 2014

Exploring the definition of “authentic caring” and its relevance to game development

2013

Q&A Session with Jesse Schell

Globant Webinar 2013

My thoughts on educational games, the creative process and his predictions for the future of game platforms

What Games Are Good At

Serious Play 2013

Keynote describing the benefits of games in relation to education

Secrets of Amazing Transformational Games

Serious Play 2013

Workshop talk about transformational games

The Power of Touch

Dare ProtoPlay 2013

As part of Dare ProtoPlay, Jesse Schell launches Dare Jam by speaking on convergence and gamification.

The Power of Touch

Casual Connect 2013

The past, present, and future of touch-based gaming, and how it is changing the next generation of gamers

Psychology + Technology = Destiny

Gamelab 2013

A talk presented in Barcelona about the ten psychological realities that affect our use of technology

Amplify Learning Panel

Games for Change Festival 2013

Introducing Lexica, a game to inspire middle schoolers to read the classics

Sheep, Goats & Future of Education

Games for Change Festival 2013

Supporting curiosity in the classroom while preserving student self-discipline

SmallTalks Performance

InterActivity 2013

A 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 2013

An overview of motivational design in games

The Future of Storytelling: How Medium Shapes Story

Game Developers Conference 2013

Analyzing different ways in which game narratives might change in the future

The Pleasure Revolution: Why Games Will Lead the Way

CFO Rising East 2013

A discussion of motivational design

Kids and the Power of New

Digital Kids Conference 2013

An exploration of the psychology of "new"

What is Magic?

Dust or Magic 2013

Curiosity, wonder and imagination are key to understanding the world.

The Secret Mechanisms

D.I.C.E. 2013

A discussion of the applications of game psychology

Global Game Jam: Jesse Schell Keynote for Games for Change Locations

Global Game Jam 2013

Three tips on making games to change the world

2012

What Games Are Good At

Games for Change 2012

How games can be used most effectively

Game Educators Rant!

Game Developers Conference 2012

Discussing grants for game making (starting at 43:00)

2011

2010

2009

A Guided Tour of The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses

Game Developers Conference 2009

A guided tour of my book "The Art of Game Design"

2008

Tribute to Randy Pausch

Randy Pausch memorial service

Remembering Randy's advice that "you can do more than you think"

Hardcore Games for Casual Audiences

Game Developers Conference 2008

Turning hardcore video games into something loved by casual players

2007

3 Up/3 Down

Game Developers Conference 2007

Panelists posit three positive and three negative developments in the serious games space