E54 How to Design for Live Service Games w/ Head of League of Legends Andrei Van Roon

In this episode, Andrei Van Roon, the Head of League Studio at Riot Games joined Ben and Aaron to discuss the emergence of live service and gameplay in the gaming industry and how it has become the default expectation for players. Andrei shares insights on the importance of regular updates and content expansion to keep players engaged. He emphasizes the need for a high level of quality in live service games and the challenges of balancing the needs of different player segments. The conversation also delves into the role of iteration and player feedback in creating a better gaming experience. Andrei provides valuable advice on setting up a team for live design and highlights the importance of understanding the player base and their expectations.   Key Takeaways: Live service has become the default expectation for players, and companies need to meet this expectation by providing regular updates and content expansion. A high level of quality is crucial in live service games, as mediocre performance can lead to players switching to other games that better meet their needs. The frequency and type of updates in a live service game depend on factors such as the genre, player segment, and platform. Balancing the needs of different player segments, such as casual and competitive players, is a challenge in live service game design. Understanding the player experience requires a combination of methods, including direct gameplay, player feedback, quantitative surveys, and data analysis.     Connect with Andrei Van Roon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrei-van-roon-21158111/ Riotgames.com/careers page Leagueoflegends.com      Courses built by game devs for game devs - check out “Succeeding in Game Production” https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/succeeding-in-game-production    Sign up for the Building Better Games Newsletter for bi-weekly tips to help you lead game teams! https://buildingbettergames.gg/newsletter/   Check out our website: https://buildingbettergames.gg/   If you think we could help your studio or company build better games, email us at [email protected] to set up a free 90-minute call!   For more episodes, head to the Building Better Games Podlink https://www.pod.link/1559448378   Connect with us: Ben’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/ Aaron’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doublearon00/ BBG LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-better-games/ BBG Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@building_better_games BBG Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/building_better_games/   Content Editor: Jonathan Singh