“Flow State” between live entertainment and game design

In the intricate dance between live entertainment and game design, the concept of the "flow" serves as a common thread, weaving together engaging experiences. It's more than just crafting games or orchestrating live performances; it's about creating a symphony of engagement. To transport the audience away from their everyday reality and into the narrative of a theater show we must fine-tune each step of the journey of the audience, and, as creators of live experiences, we can borrow a page from game design by setting the stage for clear triggers and immediate feedback. Game design principles can inspire and elevate live entertainment, forging a symbiotic relationship where each art form draws inspiration from the other.

In the flow state, time bends, creating a temporal distortion; it's that sensation when an audience is so engrossed that they lose track of time, experiencing the performance as an immersive journey. Live entertainment aims to craft those timeless moments, where spectators are so immersed that the outside world fades away, much like gaming aims to mesmerize the player with an interactive world that is just too satisfying to abandon.

In this symbiotic relationship, embracing the principles of game design in live entertainment is about infusing performances with the captivating energy found in gaming experiences. It's not just about the stage and the story; it's about orchestrating moments that are engaging beyond their inherent entertainment value, and that are part of a carefully designed journey that should guide the audience towards a flow state.

The flow state is undoubtedly one of the important ways in which the world of live entertainment and the realm of game design are intimately connected.