2026/01 - Creating Memorable Moments with Limited Resources (Will Shen - Unknown Worlds)

Games that achieve critical and commercial success are praised for their “memorable moments” that stick with players long after the game is over. How do you create these moments, especially when time, money, and help are always in short supply? Will Shen, Lead Designer at Unknown Worlds (makers of Subnautica) and former Design Director at Bethesda Game Studios (Skyrim, Fallout), will cover practical methods for threading the needle between creative ambition and budgeting. We’ll show what gives an idea the chance to stay with your audience and how to edit that idea to its essential elements. We’ll discuss which creative shortcuts are worth taking and which hold you back from your best work. And finally, we’ll talk about how to sell your ideas to the team and management, so that you have the best shot at getting the resources you need. January 19th in Paris and January 21st in Lyon. I) Methods for Building Memorable Moments a- Brainstorming for Player Feelings b- Planning around a Core Expectation c- Building for Surprise II) Techniques for Using Limited Resources a- Editing Moments to a Minimum Viable Product b- Tips for Dealing with Tools Limitations c- Collaboration Tricks for Reducing Wasted Time III) Building Memorable Moments with Limited Resources a- Tricks for Avoiding Creative Pitfalls when Budgeting b- Clarifying, Measuring, and Validating Creative Goals c- Identifying When More Help is Needed IV) Selling Ideas to the Team and Management a- Techniques for Bridging Goals b- Methods for Assessing and Mitigating Creative Risk c- Selling the “Why”