Bob Settles

Game Designer
Producer

Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action

Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action is a movie trivia quiz game developed by Screenlife and WXP and published by Microsoft Game Studios for Xbox 360. In this console adaptation of Screenlife's DVD-based board game, players watch movie clips and answer movie trivia questions from the game's 21 puzzle types and 1,800 questions to see who is the ultimate movie buff.

I was the game's Design Director for Microsoft Game Studios, starting when our team was initially tasked with creating a casual party game for Xbox 360 and helping drive the decision to do so by bringing Scene It? to the console. I worked closely with both Screenlife and WXP to adapt the original board game puzzle types, questions, and rules to a console feel, while keeping the game casual and friendly enough to appeal to players who were less familiar with the console. I also worked with Microsoft's Accessories group to design the included Big Button Pads and ensure that their features, layout and technical specs aligned with the game's design goals.

Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action was nominated for Family Game of the Year in the 2008 Interactive Achievement Awards, and a sequel (Scene It? Box Office Smash!) was released the following year.

  • Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action is a must-have for families and friends alike. (Xbox360Achievements, 88/100, February 2008)
  • Microsoft has picked the perfect board game to translate into the consoles format, and they have done it by adding more value to the product than its DVD format. (Extreme Gamer, 8/10, December 2007)
  • Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action really surprised me. I thought it would just be another mediocre translation of a board game but the folks did a good job adding some fun factor into the game, making it easy to play, and enjoyable for the whole family. (Gaming Nexus, B-, December 2007)
  • Most of that user-friendliness comes from the aptly named Big Button Controller, four of which come packed with Scene It? The digital equivalent of lollipops, these responsive, lightweight gadgets simply beg to be pressed. Even the most console-phobic member of your household will find these Big Buttons welcoming and uncomplicated. (Official Xbox Magazine, 8/10, November 2007)