# Serious Fun: How to Bring Game Mechanics into Product Design

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**Date:** March 18, 2026 · 10:30 PM  
**Location:** Hilton Austin Downtown / Room 410  
**Format:** Core Conversation  
**Track:** Design  
**Reviews:** 0

## Speakers

- **Ruthie Edwards** — Product Design Lead

Serious products don't have to be seriously boring. In fact, a little play might be the power-up your product needs. This talk explores how proven game mechanics like feedback loops, progression systems, and "juice" can supercharge your product's design, making it intuitive and addictive (in a good way!). Drawing from indie game dev, client work with major brands, and 40+ game jams, I'll show you how thinking like a game designer creates playful, emotionally resonant experiences. Learn to make your products more rewarding, alive, and user-loved. When in doubt, add more "juice"!

## Transcript

No transcript yet. [Upload one](https://hello.sxsw.md/transcript-upload?session=pp1162677-serious-fun-how-to-bring-game-mechanics-into-product-design&date=2026-03-18)

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