Live Blogging Dust or Magic AppCamp: The Seven Kisses of Death in Children's Interactive Media

Carolyn Handler Miller is not someone I knew of before this event, but now that I have met her, I think she's a rock star!  She has worked on tons of great interactive products for kids, and she has terrific intuition.  Here are my notes on the talk she just gave.

Seven Kisses of Death for Kids Games
1) It's too sweet.
    Kids love anything sweet.  That's true for food, not entertainment.

2) Give ‘Em What’s Good for ‘Em
    The medicinal approach.  Too heavy of pedagogy, too light on fun.

3) You’ve Just Got to Amuse ‘Em!
    That's just junk food.

4) Always Play It Safe
    Don’t always remove action, conflict and tension.  Too safe = too boring.

5) All kids are created equal.
    Kids games are not one size fits all.

6) Explain everything
    Adult fear of not being clear.  Faulty assumption that kids can’t figure things out on their own.

7) Makes Sure All Characters Are Wholesome!
    Yes we want positive role models, but if they are too positive and perfect, they will be dull.

Ten Ways to Avoid the Kisses of Death
1) Devise a Way to Hook Your Players
    Build a compelling mission, goal or challenge.  Should be clear-cut, easily understandable or highly desirable.

2) Inject Meaningful Tension
    Add excitement without violence, essence of drama.
    Some techniques: The ticking clock - must succeed by certain time.  
    Conflict/Opposing characters after same goal.  Challenges to overcome.

3) Offer Genuine Substance.
    Kids are hungry for meaningful content / themes (pic of The Lion King, treachery, murder, courage)

4) Create Characters Who Are Multifaceted and Dynamic
    Example: Mia the Mouse, not perfect, overly curious, tiny but plucky, gets into     trouble, has an enemy character.  Kids can identify with non-perfect characters.

5) Create System of Rewards
    Rewards: Powerful Motivators, incentives to keep going, ways to measure progress

6) Make Product Easy to Understand and Use
    Classic picture books model.  In interactive media, this translates into good interface design. No lengthy explanations, intuitive and enjoyable experience, like looking at a picture book.

7) Make Product Adjustable to Child’s Abilities
    Provide easy or difficult levels or challenges.  Many advantages: Avoids frustrating beginning players.  Keeps more skillful players challenged, involved.  Makes product more repeatable for child.

8) Supply Liberal Doses of Humor
    Humor adds life and color, makes product fun.  Caution: Kids humor is not the same as adult humor.

9) Build in Meaningful Interactivity
    Player’s choices should have an effect and impact.  Interactivity should be abundant.  Should not be overly repetitive.

10) Respect Your Audience
    Don’t talk down, understand who they are, give them something worthwhile.

For more details, see slides.