Video: How Double Fine's Joe Kowalski makes UI with personality

Courtesy of the GDC Vault is a free lecture from the latest Game Developers Conference, GDC China 2012. Double Fine's Joe Kowalski discusses here how he found interesting ways to connect to players through the user interface he designed for Guitar Hero and Brutal Legend. Often the UI is the first interaction players have with the game. While Kowalski aims to create a UI that conveys easily digestible and interactive information, he says that creating a UI that evokes the game's personality can achieve greater emotional responses in players. Getting some kind of response is better than nothing, he argues. "Even if they hate it, at least you gave them something to talk about." Check out the free video here. Session Name: Working the Crowd: Engaging Players through the User Interface Speaker(s): Joe Kowalski Company Name(s): Double Fine Productions Track / Format: Game Design

About the GDC Vault

In addition to this presentation, the GDC Vault offers numerous other free videos, audio recordings, and slides from many of the recent GDC events, and the service offers even more members-only content for GDC Vault subscribers. Those who purchased All Access passes to events like GDC, GDC Europe, and GDC China already have full access to GDC Vault, and interested parties can apply for the individual subscriptions via a GDC Vault inquiry form. Group subscriptions are also available: game-related schools and development studios who sign up for GDC Vault Studio Subscriptions can receive access for their entire office or company. More information on this option is available via an online demonstration, and interested parties can find out more here. In addition, current subscribers with access issues can contact GDC Vault admins. Be sure to keep an eye on GDC Vault for even more new content, as GDC organizers will also archive videos, audio, and slides from other events like GDC China and GDC 2013. To stay abreast of all the latest updates to GDC Vault, be sure to check out the news feed on the official GDC website, or subscribe to updates via Twitter, Facebook, or RSS.