Gaming Pioneer and 'The Sims' Creator Will Wright Joins MasterClass to Teach Game Design and Theory

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- MasterClass, the online education company that enables anyone to learn from the best in the world, announced today that pioneering video game designer and The Sims creator, Will Wright, will debut his first-ever game design class exclusively through its platform. In his class, Wright will cover methods and strategies he has implemented over the years to create his imaginative games, including how to generate new concepts, create game mechanics and interactions, and build emergence into games, as well as player psychology and mental modeling. Wright's class is now available online at www.masterclass.com/ww, on the MasterClass mobile app for iOS or Android, and on the new MasterClass Apple TV app, which the company also announced today. Enrollment for the class is $90 for lifetime access or $180 per year for the All-Access Pass, which grants unlimited access to all new and existing classes.

"Will is not only one of the best game designers of all time, but he also changed how many of us see the world," said David Rogier, co-founder and CEO of MasterClass. "His games — from SimCity to The Sims — changed how we interacted with technology and how we saw humanity. His class isn't just about game design, it's about how we want to live our lives. If you love games, design or psychology this class will knock your socks off."

Will Wright is best known for bringing simulation games based on virtual worlds to the forefront of popular culture with his groundbreaking computer game, SimCity, and later, The Sims — a life simulation game that became one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time. Wright co-founded Maxis Software in 1987, launching SimCity shortly after and a series of spin-off games over the course of three decades, earning him acclaim as one of the most revolutionary designers worldwide. He was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2001 Game Developers Choice Awards, inducted into the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences' Hall of Fame in 2002, and recognized as a British Academy of Film fellow in 2007, among other accolades. Wright is currently working on Proxi, a groundbreaking game slated to come out next year which will enable people to play in scenes rendered from their own memories.

"I think that game design can represent a lot of learning that you can bring back into other design fields," said Wright. "I wanted to teach a MasterClass as a way of relaying some of the things I learned over the years and inspiring the next generation of designers. We're on the cusp of some really interesting technology but good game design is essentially about understanding the player."

In his MasterClass, Wright will teach students how he generates game concepts and designs that empower the player's curiosity and creativity. Students will learn Wright's toolset for understanding player psychology and mental modeling; his approach for developing a visual language, game mechanics and player interactions; as well as his techniques for playtesting and prototyping. Wright will dive into how he designs the complex and intricate systems that make up the underlying framework for his games, and dissect the creation of The Sims, SimCity, and Spore lending his deep understanding of player motivations to explain how to engage their emotions throughout the game.

MasterClass continues to expand classes across existing and new categories, bringing leading instructors to its engaged base of subscribers. Previously available exclusively online at www.masterclass.com, and on the MasterClass mobile app for iOS or Android, now students can also watch MasterClass courses on its new Apple TV app. MasterClass provides educational, inspiring, and engaging classes taught by the world's greatest minds. With more than 50 classes that dive into processes, techniques and philosophies, MasterClass helps students progress more rapidly towards their own mastery, explore a new passion, or learn a new skill. It offers a unique learning experience, including video lessons, interactive exercises, course materials, peer interaction, and more. All classes are available as part of an annual subscription for $180, or for individual purchase at $90 for lifetime access to the class.

View & embed the trailer for Will Wright's MasterClass here:
https://youtu.be/nCnX9Ih3amo

Download stills here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/csn8h8rvs5ahmfk/AADMcaA8CZa0vs3XC18xViUka?dl=0 
Courtesy of MasterClass

ABOUT MASTERCLASS

Founded in 2015, MasterClass started with the idea that everyone should have "access to genius." The online education platform provides affordable, engaging, and inspirational online classes taught by world-renowned instructors, making it possible for anyone to learn from the best.

MasterClass' current roster of courses includes:

Culinary Arts: Gordon Ramsay (cooking), Alice Waters (home cooking), Thomas Keller (cooking techniques), Wolfgang Puck (cooking), Dominique Ansel (French pastry), James Suckling (wine appreciation)

Film and Television: Werner Herzog (filmmaking), Martin Scorsese (filmmaking), Ron Howard (directing), Helen Mirren (acting), Samuel L. Jackson (acting), Judd Apatow (comedy), Spike Lee (filmmaking), Ken Burns (documentary filmmaking), Mira Nair (independent filmmaking)

Music and Entertainment: Armin van Buuren (dance music), Christina Aguilera (singing), Usher (performance), Reba McEntire (country music), Herbie Hancock (jazz), Deadmau5 (music production), Hans Zimmer (film scoring), Steve Martin (comedy), Tom Morello (electric guitar), Carlos Santana (art and soul of guitar)

Writing: James Patterson (writing), Aaron Sorkin (screenwriting), Shonda Rhimes (writing for television), David Mamet (dramatic writing), Judy Blume (writing), Malcolm Gladwell (writing), RL Stine (writing for young audiences), Margaret Atwood (creative writing), Dan Brown (writing thrillers)

Photography: Annie Leibovitz (photography), Jimmy Chin (adventure photography) 

Design and Fashion: Frank Gehry (architecture), Diane von Furstenberg (how to build a fashion brand), Marc Jacobs (fashion design)

Sports and Games: Serena Williams (tennis), Stephen Curry (shooting, ball-handling, and scoring), Garry Kasparov (chess), Daniel Negreanu (poker)

Politics and Society: Jane Goodall (conservation), Bob Woodward (investigative journalism), Karl Rove and David Axelrod (political campaign strategy), Paul Krugman (economics and society)

Science and Technology: Chris Hadfield (space exploration), Will Wright (game design)

For more information, please visit www.masterclass.com.

Follow MasterClass:
Twitter @masterclass
Instagram @masterclass
Facebook @masterclassofficial 

Follow Will Wright's work:
https://www.proxiai.com

SOURCE MasterClass

Related Links

http://www.masterclass.com

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