The document discusses differences between traditional game design and free-to-play (F2P) game design, particularly in China. Some key differences include F2P games prioritizing monetization over fun or fairness, not focusing on high-quality graphics or storytelling, and exploiting human psychology around peer pressure and showing off to increase monetization. The document also provides examples of controversial monetization strategies used in some F2P games that generate conflicts or public humiliation to trigger emotions and spending.

1. Traditional Game Designers Are From Mars, Free-to-Play Game Designers Are From Venus —What US Game Developers Need to Know about Free-to-Play in China Zhan Ye President, GameVision [email_address]

2. Disclaimer: What the speaker will present next are thoughts, ideas, and perspectives he observed during his work. Some of them can be controversial. The speaker merely presents them as facts, not his opinions. The presentation of those thoughts, ideas, and perspectives doesn’t mean the speaker endorse or support them, or vice versa. Also, the concept of political correctness doesn’t exist in China yet. Nor does it exist in Chinese game designers’ minds. You may find some ideas annoying or politically incorrect by Western social standards. However, the speaker will not do self censorship here since the whole purpose of this presentation is to present the differences.