Quick Navigation
Project Overview
This project addresses the growing need for innovative educational tools, enabling you to design an educational board game that captivates learners. It encapsulates essential skills in board game design, mechanics, and playtesting, aligning with industry best practices.
Project Sections
Understanding Game Mechanics
Dive into the foundational elements of board game design, focusing on key mechanics that drive gameplay. You'll explore how these mechanics can enhance educational content, setting the stage for your prototype development.
Tasks:
- ▸Research various board game mechanics and their educational applications.
- ▸Create a visual map of game mechanics that could fit into your educational theme.
- ▸Draft a list of potential mechanics to include in your game prototype.
- ▸Analyze existing educational board games to understand their mechanics.
- ▸Discuss your findings with peers to refine your understanding of game mechanics.
- ▸Begin sketching initial ideas for your game based on chosen mechanics.
- ▸Create a brief presentation to share your mechanics and ideas with the class.
Resources:
- 📚The Game Maker's Notebook Podcast
- 📚Board Game Design Workshop by Gabe Barrett
- 📚The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses by Jesse Schell
Reflection
Reflect on how the mechanics you explored can enhance learning outcomes in your game. What challenges did you face in understanding these concepts?
Checkpoint
Submit a mechanics map and initial game idea presentation.
Integrating Educational Content
Learn how to effectively weave educational concepts into your game design. This section focuses on aligning game mechanics with learning objectives, ensuring your game is both fun and educational.
Tasks:
- ▸Identify key educational concepts relevant to your target audience.
- ▸Draft a list of learning objectives your game aims to achieve.
- ▸Create a storyboard outlining how these concepts will be integrated into gameplay.
- ▸Develop a prototype outline that includes educational content and mechanics.
- ▸Collaborate with peers to review and refine your educational integration ideas.
- ▸Test your ideas in a small group setting and gather feedback.
- ▸Revise your storyboard and prototype outline based on peer feedback.
Resources:
- 📚Understanding by Design by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe
- 📚Game-Based Learning in Action by David Leffler
- 📚The Learning Game: A Guide to Designing Games for Learning
Reflection
Consider how your educational content enhances player engagement. Were there any conflicts between fun and educational value?
Checkpoint
Submit your storyboard and prototype outline for feedback.
Prototype Development
Transform your ideas into a tangible prototype. This phase emphasizes hands-on creation, allowing you to apply the mechanics and educational content you’ve developed into a playable board game.
Tasks:
- ▸Gather materials needed for your prototype, considering accessibility and cost.
- ▸Create a rough draft of your game board and components.
- ▸Design and produce initial game pieces, cards, or other necessary materials.
- ▸Playtest your prototype with a small group to identify issues and areas for improvement.
- ▸Document your playtesting experience and collect feedback from participants.
- ▸Revise your prototype based on playtesting results, focusing on gameplay flow.
- ▸Prepare a presentation showcasing your prototype's features and educational goals.
Resources:
- 📚How to Make Board Games by Andrew B. Davis
- 📚Prototyping Board Games by David A. Hargreaves
- 📚Game Design Workshop: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games
Reflection
Reflect on the prototyping process. What challenges arose, and how did you overcome them?
Checkpoint
Present your prototype to the class for preliminary feedback.
Playtesting Strategies
Master the art of playtesting, a crucial step in game design. This section will guide you through effective strategies for gathering feedback and refining your game based on player experiences.
Tasks:
- ▸Develop a playtesting plan that outlines your goals and target audience.
- ▸Conduct playtesting sessions with diverse groups to gather varied feedback.
- ▸Create feedback forms to collect structured responses from players.
- ▸Analyze the feedback received and identify common themes or issues.
- ▸Revise your game mechanics and components based on playtesting insights.
- ▸Share your findings with peers and discuss potential improvements.
- ▸Prepare for the final playtesting session by implementing changes and adjustments.
Resources:
- 📚Playtesting Board Games: A Guide for Designers
- 📚The Playtesting Handbook by Eric K. McGowan
- 📚Game Testing: All in One by Charles P. McGowan
Reflection
Reflect on how feedback influenced your game's design. What insights were most valuable?
Checkpoint
Submit your playtesting report and revised prototype.
Incorporating Feedback
Learn how to effectively incorporate feedback into your game design. This section focuses on iterative design processes, ensuring your game evolves based on player experiences and expert advice.
Tasks:
- ▸Review all feedback collected from playtesting sessions.
- ▸Prioritize feedback based on impact and feasibility of changes.
- ▸Make necessary adjustments to your game mechanics and educational content.
- ▸Consult with peers or mentors for additional insights on your revisions.
- ▸Create a final version of your game components, ensuring clarity and usability.
- ▸Prepare a final presentation highlighting changes made based on feedback.
- ▸Conduct a final playtest to validate your revisions.
Resources:
- 📚Designing Games: A Guide to Engineering Experiences by Tynan Sylvester
- 📚The Game Design Reader: A Rules of Play Anthology
- 📚The Board Game Designer's Guide by James A. McCarthy
Reflection
Consider how your game has changed through feedback. What did you learn about the design process?
Checkpoint
Submit your final prototype and feedback incorporation report.
Final Presentation and Reflection
Consolidate your learning journey by preparing a final presentation of your educational board game. This section emphasizes reflection on your design process and the skills you've developed throughout the course.
Tasks:
- ▸Draft a comprehensive presentation that outlines your design process, challenges, and solutions.
- ▸Highlight the educational impact of your game and its intended audience.
- ▸Prepare to demonstrate your game mechanics and playtesting results.
- ▸Engage with your audience, inviting questions and feedback on your design.
- ▸Reflect on your personal growth throughout the project, noting key takeaways.
- ▸Submit a written reflection summarizing your project and learning journey.
- ▸Create a portfolio entry showcasing your final prototype and presentation.
Resources:
- 📚Presentation Zen by Garr Reynolds
- 📚The Visual Display of Quantitative Information by Edward Tufte
- 📚Effective Communication for Project Managers by Robert K. Wysocki
Reflection
Reflect on your entire journey through this project. How have your skills evolved, and what are your next steps?
Checkpoint
Deliver your final presentation and submit your written reflection.
Timeline
8 weeks, with iterative feedback sessions every 2 weeks to adapt and improve your project.
Final Deliverable
A fully developed prototype of an educational board game, complete with a presentation that showcases your design process, playtesting insights, and educational objectives, ready for professional review.
Evaluation Criteria
- ✓Clarity and relevance of educational content in the game design.
- ✓Creativity and innovation in game mechanics and overall design.
- ✓Effectiveness of playtesting strategies and incorporation of feedback.
- ✓Quality and usability of the final prototype and game components.
- ✓Engagement and clarity of the final presentation.
Community Engagement
Join online forums or local meetups for game designers to share your progress, gather feedback, and collaborate with fellow educators and designers.