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Project Overview
In today's competitive gaming landscape, understanding game balance is crucial for success. This project encapsulates the core skills of the course, empowering you to address industry challenges by redesigning a tabletop game to improve its balance and player experience, aligning with professional practices in game design.
Project Sections
Game Selection and Initial Analysis
In this section, you will select a popular tabletop game and conduct a thorough analysis of its mechanics, identifying strengths and weaknesses. This foundational work sets the stage for your redesign efforts, aligning with industry practices in mechanics evaluation.
Tasks:
- ▸Choose a popular tabletop game to analyze, ensuring it has a variety of mechanics.
- ▸Document the existing game mechanics in detail, noting areas for improvement.
- ▸Analyze player feedback and reviews to identify common pain points in gameplay.
- ▸Create a strengths and weaknesses matrix for the game mechanics.
- ▸Research industry standards for game balance and mechanics design.
- ▸Compile your findings into a comprehensive report to share with peers.
- ▸Prepare a presentation summarizing your analysis for the next phase.
Resources:
- 📚Game Design Workshop by Tracy Fullerton
- 📚The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses by Jesse Schell
- 📚Tabletop Game Design for Video Game Designers by Ethan Ham
- 📚Gamasutra articles on mechanics analysis and game balance
Reflection
Reflect on the insights gained from your analysis and how they align with your understanding of game balance and player experience.
Checkpoint
Submit your analysis report and presentation for peer review.
Redesign Proposal
Building on your analysis, this section focuses on proposing a redesign for the selected game. You'll apply principles of game balance and player psychology to create a more engaging experience, simulating real-world design processes.
Tasks:
- ▸Identify key mechanics that need redesigning based on your analysis.
- ▸Propose specific changes to improve game balance and player engagement.
- ▸Create prototypes for redesigned mechanics using paper or digital tools.
- ▸Gather feedback from peers on your proposed changes and iterate.
- ▸Document your redesign proposal in a clear format for presentation.
- ▸Prepare a visual representation of your redesigned game mechanics.
- ▸Plan a playtesting session to evaluate your redesign with peers.
Resources:
- 📚Designing Games: A Guide to Engineering Experiences by Tynan Sylvester
- 📚Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals by Katie Salen and Eric Zimmerman
- 📚Game Feel: A Game Designer's Guide to Virtual Sensation by Steve Swink
Reflection
Consider how your proposed redesign addresses the identified weaknesses and enhances player experience.
Checkpoint
Submit your redesign proposal and visual representation for feedback.
Prototyping and Playtesting
In this phase, you will create a prototype of your redesigned game and conduct playtesting sessions. This hands-on experience is vital for understanding player interactions and refining your design.
Tasks:
- ▸Develop a physical or digital prototype of your redesigned game.
- ▸Organize playtesting sessions with peers to gather feedback on the prototype.
- ▸Document player interactions and feedback during playtests.
- ▸Analyze feedback to identify areas for further improvement.
- ▸Iterate on your design based on playtester insights and observations.
- ▸Create a report detailing the playtesting process and outcomes.
- ▸Prepare a presentation showcasing the evolution of your game from analysis to prototype.
Resources:
- 📚Tabletop Simulator for digital prototyping
- 📚Playtest cards and feedback forms
- 📚The Game Maker's Toolkit YouTube channel for design insights
Reflection
Reflect on the playtesting experience and how it informed your understanding of player dynamics and game balance.
Checkpoint
Submit your playtesting report and presentation for review.
Final Iteration and Refinement
This section focuses on refining your game based on playtesting feedback. You'll implement final changes and prepare your game for presentation, mirroring the iterative design process used in the industry.
Tasks:
- ▸Review feedback from playtesting and prioritize changes for the final iteration.
- ▸Make necessary adjustments to the game mechanics and components.
- ▸Test the final version of your game with a small group for last-minute feedback.
- ▸Create a comprehensive guide that outlines the game rules and mechanics.
- ▸Prepare marketing materials to showcase your game design process.
- ▸Design a final presentation that highlights the evolution of your game.
- ▸Submit the final version of your game for peer review and feedback.
Resources:
- 📚The Game Design Reader: A Rules of Play Anthology
- 📚Game Design: A Practical Approach by Andrew Rollings and Ernest Adams
- 📚The Complete Guide to Game Audio by Aaron Marks
Reflection
Reflect on how your final game design aligns with industry standards and your personal growth throughout the project.
Checkpoint
Submit your final game design and presentation for evaluation.
Documentation and Reflection
In this final section, you will compile all your work into a comprehensive documentation package. This will serve as a valuable resource for future reference and showcase your learning journey.
Tasks:
- ▸Compile all reports, presentations, and playtest documentation into a cohesive package.
- ▸Write a reflective essay on your learning experience and growth as a game designer.
- ▸Create a portfolio entry showcasing your redesigned game and its development process.
- ▸Share your documentation package with peers for feedback and suggestions.
- ▸Prepare a final presentation to share your project journey with the class.
- ▸Submit your documentation package for evaluation.
- ▸Celebrate your achievements and the skills you've developed throughout the course.
Resources:
- 📚The Game Design Workshop: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games
- 📚The Game Design Document: A Guide to Creating a Game Design Document
- 📚Game Development Essentials: An Introduction by Jeannie Novak
Reflection
Consider how the documentation process enhances your understanding of professional practices in game design.
Checkpoint
Submit your complete documentation package for final assessment.
Timeline
8-10 weeks, with iterative reviews and feedback sessions at each phase.
Final Deliverable
Your final deliverable will be a polished prototype of your redesigned game, complete with documentation that outlines your design process, playtesting insights, and a reflective essay on your growth as a designer.
Evaluation Criteria
- ✓Quality of analysis and identification of game mechanics issues.
- ✓Creativity and feasibility of redesign proposals.
- ✓Effectiveness of playtesting and incorporation of feedback.
- ✓Clarity and professionalism of documentation and presentation.
- ✓Demonstration of iterative design principles throughout the project.
- ✓Engagement with peers during feedback sessions.
Community Engagement
Engage with fellow students and industry professionals through forums and social media, sharing your progress and seeking feedback on your designs.