Fostering Social Interaction Through Game Design: A Case Study of It Takes Two and Overcooked! 2
- Aug 9
- 1 min read
Wang, Z., & Holopainen, J. (2026, August). Fostering Social Interaction Through Game Design: A Case Study of It Takes Two and Overcooked! 2. In Proceedings of the 21st International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games (pp. 1-4).
Video games are increasingly recognized for fostering social interaction, yet limited research examines how specific mechanics influence social dynamics during co-located play. This qualitative case study compares It Takes Two and Overcooked! 2 to investigate how game mechanics and design features trigger distinct patterns of player interaction. Through gameplay sessions and video analysis, we found that mechanical asymmetry in It Takes Two fosters balanced participation and light-hearted collaboration within a low-pressure environment, while systemic pressure in Overcooked! 2 encourages strategic coordination and intense teamwork under stress. Both games promote cooperation through different pathways, demonstrating that interdependence structure and pacing fundamentally shape interpersonal dynamics. This research contributes insights for designers to intentionally align mechanics with desired social outcomes, as well as provides a structured approach to gameplay analysis.