TactiCon 2023 - Playing with uncertainty: Embracing randomness in management and strategy games

Is randomness in strategy games a wild card to use with caution, if ever? Can unpredictable systems allow for deep and serious tactical decision-making in games? What is the potential for random events to create solid experiences in strategy and management games? Is uncertainty a source of chaos that players will endure as a curse, or something that can be embraced for developing a real adaptive strategy mindset?
Abalon: store.steampow...
USC: Counterforce: store.steampow...
Sandwalkers: store.steampow...
Astrea SixSided Oracles: store.steampow...
Ross Przybylski (He/Him) / D20Studios
Ross Przybylski is an indie game developer who founded D20Studios in 2009 with a mission to build intrinsically satisfying, accessible games with depth. For the past seven years, Ross has been developing Abalon (formerly Summoners Fate) with a small and passionate team. Abalon is a roguelike adventure that combines turn-based tactics and card strategy. It has received numerous accolades including multiple PAX features, two Game of the Year, and was global champion in the 2021 Nordic Discovery Contest. Ross enjoys supporting the game dev community by sharing knowledge to help others succeed.
Aliza Wenders (She/Her) / Angry Cat Studios
I'm the game designer and programmer of USC: Counterforce. Have been designing classic tabletop board games and RPGs since the early 2000s. Avid fantasy and sci-fi fan ("nerd"). :D
Francois Alligier (He/Him) / Goblinz Studio
I'm François, a French (obvious right) game designer working under the sunny weather of Montpellier.
I've been making games for the past 7 years, working on all kinds of stuff from game jams to AAA games, mostly interested in trying new things and exploring uncharted territories of game design.
Not an expert in heavy strategy games but passionate about rogue-likes and how they can bring strategy in an ever-changing gameplay environment, I'm thrilled to discuss that topic with everyone invited :D
Leonardo Castanho (He/Him) / Little Leo Games
"Leonardo Castanho is a game designer, programmer and producer from São Paulo, Brazil.
Graduated in Civil Engineer, in 2018 he decided to change careers and try delving into the game dev world influenced by his love of board games and video games.
In 2019, he founded Little Leo Games studio with the desire of making his own games and developing all the game ideas in his head.
Since April 2020, he's been making Astrea: Six-Sided Oracles, the first commercial game from the studio, a Dice-Deck-Building Roguelike with lots of randomness and high bad luck control systems."

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