Dive into the dynamic world of game design with Fawzi Mesmar, an award-winning creative director and game designer with two decades of experience across the globe. In this episode, Fawzi introduces his pioneering book, the first on gaming written in the Arabic language, shedding light on the intricacies of the gaming industry in the Arab region. From his start in game design to the responsibilities of game designers in the Middle East, Fawzi discusses the challenges and opportunities within the field, shares insights into creating games with compelling narratives, and examines the theory of fun behind popular games like Candy Crush. Listen as Fawzi also reveals the inspiration behind his work and offers valuable advice for aspiring game designers in the region.

00:00 Introduction to Fawzi Mesmar's Gaming Journey
02:39 Breaking into Game Design
09:14 The Role and Responsibilities of Game Designers
15:42 Crafting Stories within Games
22:21 Analyzing Candy Crush and the Concept of Fun
32:00 The Art of Creating Captivating Games
38:30 The Muse Behind Each Game
45:14 "الخلّاب": A Milestone in Arabic Gaming Literature
49:50 Navigating Game Design in the Arab Region
59:22 Engaging with Fawzi: Q&A Session

Fawzi Mesmar is a distinguished figure in the international gaming industry, with a career encompassing leadership, game design, writing, public speaking, and mentoring. Having worked with industry giants such as Ubisoft, DICE (EA), King (Activision Blizzard), Gameloft, and Atlus (SEGA), Fawzi's expertise spans across the Middle East, New Zealand, Japan, and Europe. As the author of the first gaming book in Arabic, Fawzi is dedicated to empowering the next generation of game designers in the Arab world, combining his passion for storytelling and gameplay to create memorable gaming experiences. A retired e-sports player, Fawzi continues to inspire through his innovative approach to game design and his commitment to the development of the gaming industry in the Arab region.

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

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