What Games Truly Are, with Tadhg Kelly

In this episode: Jordan sits down with Tadhg Kelly, an experienced consultant specializing in augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and video games, with a rich background in game design and production. Tadhg has held significant roles at notable companies like BSkyB, Lionhead Studios, Climax Studios, and Mobile Game Doctor. His work spans a variety of game projects, from board games and live-action role-playing games to large-scale PC games and innovative AR/VR technologies. In this episode, Tadhg shares his journey from game designer to consultant, offering invaluable insights into the industry's evolution and the lessons he has learned along the way.Topics covered:Tadhg’s transition from game designer to consultant and the lessons he learned along the wayUnderstanding the "Sexy/Worthy Trap" and how to use it to your advantage in game designBalancing speed-to-market against feature development in game projectsThe benefit of having diverse skill sets in the gaming industryCommon mistakes made in the early stages of game developmentThe value of letting your game developer do their job For more game industry tips:Learn more about Jordan & Bright BlackListen on iTunes | Spotify (Support the show and leave a review)Visit www.playmakerspodcast.com for the full blog post and more! Timestamps: [03:04] Tadhg’s journey from game designer to consultant [06:15] Lessons learned from working on various game projects [09:47] Examples of “cliff projects” and challenges in game development [13:00] Consulting and transitioning from traditional game development [17:19] The “Sexy / Worthy Trap” and how it influences successful games [22:27] Simple mistakes in the early stages of game development [24:06] Why assumptions about gameplay and player psychology can lead to failure [26:57] The importance of being “sexy” rather than “worthy” in game development [30:09] Writing game design documentation and focusing on the user experience [36:30] Lessons from working on platforms like OUYA and Magic Leap [44:43] Tadhg’s thoughts on consulting and what’s next in the game industry Resources & media mentioned in this episode: Connect with Tadhg:LinkedInWork with Tadhg at Mobile Game DoctorRead the What Games Are Blog<a...