Matthew Laurence

Developing for live service is difficult. Horrifically, it's even more difficult if you're an experienced game developer. Why? Because you're no longer "just" making a game. The true nature of live service presents an insidious challenge for those well-versed in premium/boxed game dev, and this presentation is about peeling back that trial's layers. In this talk, we'll dig into the actual product live service requires you to build (whether you like it or not) and show you how to reframe and structure your game design methodology to give you and your team a fighting chance in this strange, deeply unfair arena. Intended Takeaways:

• Why veteran game design instincts often fail in live service and how to refresh them.
• The true "product" a live service game really represents (and why most teams miss it).
• How to identify fun features that quietly damage long-term player health.
• A framework for designing systems around years-long player journeys, not one-off launches.
• Practical ways to help experienced teams adapt without sacrificing craft or morale.