[Research Contribution] Game Design – Human-Centric Challenges and Storytelling for Sustainable Development

19 May, 2025

Keywords: Game Design, Storytelling Mindset, Sustainable Development

As part of the academic knowledge-sharing series within the ArtTech Fusion program organized by the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), the special discussion session titled “Human Factor Challenges and Storytelling in Game Design” provided an in-depth exploration of the role of human-centered elements in the game design process. Leading experts from various fields shared engaging stories and design methodologies aimed at creating immersive interactive experiences that contribute to sustainable development within the gaming industry.

The Role of Human Factors

During the session, speakers delved into the challenges faced by game designers in crafting content that resonates with player psychology. To develop an engaging game, understanding the player’s mindset is not just a requirement but a core element. This necessitates thorough research on how players react, interact with in-game elements, and experience the narrative presented by the game.

Image 1. Human Factor Challenges and Storytelling in Game Design

The speakers emphasized that games are no longer merely entertainment products. A well-designed game can tell profound stories, forge strong emotional connections with players, and even shift their perspectives on the world around them. Hence, designers bear the responsibility not only to create visually appealing products but also to integrate humanistic, educational, and entertainment values harmoniously, ensuring that every game becomes a meaningful and memorable experience.

Image 2. Professor Filipa Martins – Creative Designer and Researcher specializing in Interactive Game Design, with significant contributions to education and technology at the University of Saint Joseph, Macao.

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Image 3. Dr. Mika Letonsaari – Finnish technology expert specializing in teaching computational thinking through interactive storytelling, currently lecturing at UEH, sharing insights on nonlinear narrative.

Human Factors in Game Design: Beyond Technology

In today’s gaming world, advancements in technologies like VR graphics, AI, and machine learning (ML) open up limitless possibilities. However, the speakers underscored that no matter how advanced technology becomes, it cannot replace the importance of human-centric factors in creating valuable games.

Game design is not merely about complex mechanics, stunning visuals, or impressive soundscapes. Beneath these elements lies a deep understanding of player psychology, the stories they wish to experience, and the emotional connections they build through gameplay.
“Players don’t just want to win or lose. They want to feel, explore, and live within the worlds we create,” one speaker remarked. “This understanding determines whether your game can thrive in the market.”

Image 4. Dr. Mika Letonsaari’s model illustrating the difference between nonlinear narratives and interactive storytelling in teaching computational thinking.

Challenges and Opportunities: The Role of Art in Game Design

The speakers elaborated on the challenges of integrating artistic elements into game design. One of the greatest challenges is bridging the gap between how players perceive and how designers convey their ideas.

Students were encouraged to consider how art could enrich the gaming experience—not merely through visually appealing graphics but by telling stories that technology alone cannot achieve. Elements like music, visual style, and well-structured narratives can elevate a game into a true work of art.

An exemplary case cited was the game Journey, which uses imagery and music to tell a story without a single line of dialogue. This clearly demonstrates art’s power in forging profound connections between players and the game.

The discussion session encouraged students to actively engage with questions such as:

How can we balance technology and emotional depth in game design?

How can art transform a conventional game into a meaningful experience?

Students contributed bold ideas, such as using AI to personalize in-game narratives based on player emotions or integrating AR to merge games with real-world environments. This fostered a lively exchange and showcased the dynamic creativity of the younger generation in exploring new potentials at the intersection of art and technology.

Image 5. Over 80 students participated in the special discussion “Human Factor Challenges and Storytelling in Game Design”

Art, Technology, and Timeless Meaning

The session concluded with an inspiring message: games are not mere consumer products but can be creations that deliver lasting value.
When art and technology are harmoniously combined, a game transcends its role as a mere entertainment tool to become a powerful medium for conveying emotions, educating players, and influencing perceptions.

Students were encouraged to continuously innovate and seek new solutions in applying art and technology to game design. They were reminded that in today’s digital world, the integration of art and technology is not just a trend but a necessary step in building a sustainable future where humanity, art, and technology coexist in harmony.

This session, and the success of ATF24 as a whole, affirmed that human factors and art play a pivotal role in creating meaningful gaming experiences, contributing to a brighter future. The event served as a platform not only for game designers to exchange ideas but also to guide the younger generation in developing creative, responsible, and sustainable products.

Image 6. Students attentively following the special discussion “Human Factor Challenges and Storytelling in Game Design”

As part of the growing ArtTech field, the annual international ArtTech Fusion (ATF) series is hosted by the ArtTech Hub (ATH), in collaboration with UEH School of Technology and Design (CTD), University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), and various domestic and international partners, with different themes each year.

In 2024, the ArtTech Fusion series was organized under the theme “New ArtTech for Future Generations,” aiming to ignite and promote creative thinking and innovative actions of future generations, contributing to building a sustainable society.
Over three days (October 22–24, 2024), ATF24 featured more than 30 academic and practical activities, including 5 keynote speeches, 10 special sessions, 5 parallel research presentation sessions, 5 workshops, 1 academic book chapter publication, 9 exhibitions, 1 heritage connection trip, and 1 tangible performance.

In 2025, the fourth ArtTech Fusion (ATF25) will be held with the theme “Co-Creation for a Wondrous Future,” scheduled for September 24–26, 2025. This will be an opportunity to explore, experience, connect, and create within the wondrous world of art and new technologies towards a sustainable future.

For updates on ATF25, please visit:
Website: https://ath.ueh.edu.vn/
Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/ueh.arttechhub.

Authors: MSc. Tran Le Quynh Anh – School of Media Design, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH)

This article is part of UEH’s “Research Contribution For All” series, disseminating research and applied knowledge with the message “Research for the Community.” We cordially invite readers to follow the next issue of UEH Research Insights.

News, images: Authors, UEH Communications and Partnership Development Department