Masahiro Sakurai on Creating Games | What is “Play”? [Game Essence] @sora_sakurai_en | Uploaded January 2024 | Updated October 2024, 8 hours ago.
Why do we play just for the sake of play? What about it is so fun?
Today, I'd like to introduce a famous book on this topic, and share my own thoughts as well.
Why do we play just for the sake of play? What about it is so fun?
Today, I'd like to introduce a famous book on this topic, and share my own thoughts as well.
![What is “Play”? [Game Essence]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/g5uooUqdXXs/hqdefault.jpg "What is “Play”? [Game Essence]
Why do we play just for the sake of play? What about it is so fun?
Today, Id like to introduce a famous book on this topic, and share my own thoughts as well.")
![The Pros and Cons of Leaderboards [Game Essence]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/g7nC6NtTMIk/hqdefault.jpg "The Pros and Cons of Leaderboards [Game Essence]
Leaderboards are an indispensable part of the online play experience. But have you ever wondered what percentage of players actually appreciate them?")
![Avoiding Comparison [Planning & Game Design]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gYuvggptkDM/hqdefault.jpg "Avoiding Comparison [Planning & Game Design]
When making creative works, its important to make something unique—or at least something fresh!
But what about content people have truly never seen before? It may be that humans simply cant picture something without a reference for comparison...")
![Using Other Songs for Audio Reference [Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/heFZ6qQXfDw/hqdefault.jpg "Using Other Songs for Audio Reference [Audio]
When composing a piece of music, sometimes the perfect song to fit your vision already exists.
This can be a great help, but also presents a potential pitfall—so be careful when referencing someone elses work.")
![Game Essence in Shooting Games [Game Essence]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/iN3IyqPjLkc/hqdefault.jpg "Game Essence in Shooting Games [Game Essence]
I think the game essence in old-school 2D shoot em ups should be pretty easy to understand...but lets take a look at their push and pull to find out!")
![Directors and Producers [Team Management]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/isEMP5_Eems/hqdefault.jpg "Directors and Producers [Team Management]
Just to be clear: Im a director, not a producer!
Many people arent sure how these roles differ, so Id like to discuss exactly that in todays Team Management video.")
![Marketing is Multiplicative [Marketing]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/iwOgFiJNCoU/hqdefault.jpg "Marketing is Multiplicative [Marketing]
Its time to introduce a new category: Marketing!
No matter how good your game is, it may as well not exist if people dont know about it. Its not enough to only put effort into developing something special—you need to spread the word, too!")
![Finish Everything Within the Day [Team Management]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/j1qLM0yfOuY/hqdefault.jpg "Finish Everything Within the Day [Team Management]
Although there are exceptions, I generally never put off emails to the next day.
Responding to things the same day not only feels better for you, but it improves the lives of everyone involved.
Supervising Art Through Retouches [Graphics]
https://youtu.be/s08NT-TVCvU
Odds and Ends of Supervising [Graphics]
https://youtu.be/wKQ2v9kno9I")
![Playing Games in Front of Other People [Marketing]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/j6pnwcuP78g/hqdefault.jpg "Playing Games in Front of Other People [Marketing]
For some reason, I find myself playing games in front of other people rather often...
In a way, its just like giving a presentation. Seeing is believing!")
![The Limitations of Particle Effects [Effects]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jAQv4PTQvQE/hqdefault.jpg "The Limitations of Particle Effects [Effects]
Particles are a type of effect which scatter outward in large quantities. Youll often want to display lots of these particles, but that can be easier said than done.
By the way, this is the final video in the Effects category!")
![Balancing Ambient Sounds [Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jAgi6Uk1CU0/hqdefault.jpg "Balancing Ambient Sounds [Audio]
Ambient sounds are likely the least exciting audio youll hear in a game. All the same, theyre vital for bringing your world to life—so youll want to make them as natural and subtle as possible!")
![What Happens When You Shift the Center of Gravity? [Design Specifics]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jeA-m-Bzs04/hqdefault.jpg "What Happens When You Shift the Center of Gravity? [Design Specifics]
Lets say you want an object to fly from left to right across the screen. Thats easy to implement, but thats exactly why its important to think of ways to change things up a little!
By the way, this is the final video in the Design Specifics category!")
