About the author
Ian Schafer, CEO and Founder of Deep Focus (a part of Engine USA), is one of advertising’s most influential voices in interactive marketing and social media. Prior to founding Deep Focus in 2002, Ian was Vice President of the New Media division of Miramax Films.
Deep Focus is an award-winning engagement, social media and innovation agency boasting a client roster that includes brands such as AMC, Microsoft, Sony, Diageo, WellPoint, MoMA, and Nintendo. Deep Focus is a part of Engine USA.
Under Ian’s guidance, Deep Focus has been lauded for its expertise and excellence at using digital media, technology, creative, and communications strategies to create engaging, value-driven experiences that get people talking. The Emmy®-nominated firm has been responsible for many memorable, award-winning efforts over the years including 2009’s MadMenYourself.com, and has been the recipient of numerous distinctions, including several Webby Awards and a Cannes Gold Lion.
Named a ‘Media Maven’ by Advertising Age and one of Adweek’s “Young Ones”, Ian has been featured in Wired, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, Adweek, Advertising Age, USA Today, New York Magazine, Variety, CNN, Fortune and The Hollywood Reporter. Ian also sits on the executive board of the Social Media Advertising Consortium.
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I like your five points a lot! Regarding point 4, these games vary in their demand for constant focus and creativity. Prime Time Adventures, for example, has a built-in mechanism (Screen Presence) that dictates whether you are in the spotlight or in support, episode by episode. That can be reassuring, and starting a PTA season with low Screen Presence gives a player the chance to see how things work before the spotlight shines too brightly on them.
Great post. I am a story gamer who works at a creative agency, so this is right up my alley. I agree with point 5 especially. The collaborative nature of story games really improves the mind-melding skills needed for most agency work — especially listening to and respecting all kinds of creative input.