What Actually Makes Video Games Fun?

What actually makes a video game fun? Is it the mechanics, the gameplay, or something deeper? In the very first episode of this podcast, I'm joined by Bret Wardle, a game designer, researcher, and educator who has worked on games including The Sims. The guy is awesome and we talk about the psychology behind why people play games, why different players find different things fun, and how great game design starts with understanding the emotions you want players to experience. We also discuss the future of indie games, how game development is becoming more accessible, and why understanding your players might be the most important skill a game developer can have.