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Project Overview
In today's competitive game industry, the ability to create captivating expansions is crucial. This project addresses current challenges in game design, allowing you to develop a thematic expansion that incorporates new mechanics, components, and narrative elements. It serves as a practical application of core skills, preparing you for professional practices in the field.
Project Sections
Game Analysis and Opportunity Identification
In this section, you will evaluate an existing board game to identify potential expansion opportunities. You'll learn to analyze gameplay, player feedback, and market trends to inform your design decisions.
This phase is essential for understanding how to enhance existing games while maintaining their core appeal.
Tasks:
- ▸Select an existing board game for analysis and gather relevant gameplay data.
- ▸Conduct a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) of the selected game.
- ▸Research player feedback and reviews to identify common desires for expansion.
- ▸Create a report summarizing your findings and potential expansion opportunities.
- ▸Present your analysis to peers for feedback and discussion.
- ▸Refine your expansion ideas based on peer input and research findings.
Resources:
- 📚Game Design Workshop by Tracy Fullerton
- 📚The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses by Jesse Schell
- 📚Board Game Geek forums and reviews
- 📚Market analysis reports on board game trends
Reflection
Reflect on what aspects of the game resonated most with players and how your analysis might influence your design choices.
Checkpoint
Submit a comprehensive analysis report with identified opportunities.
Mechanics Design and Balancing
This section focuses on designing new gameplay mechanics that integrate seamlessly with the existing game. You'll learn techniques for balancing new and existing mechanics, ensuring a cohesive gameplay experience.
This phase is critical for enhancing player engagement while preserving the original game's integrity.
Tasks:
- ▸Brainstorm new mechanics that align with the identified opportunities.
- ▸Create prototypes of your new mechanics using paper or digital tools.
- ▸Conduct playtesting sessions to evaluate the balance of new and existing mechanics.
- ▸Gather feedback from playtesters and document their experiences.
- ▸Iterate on your mechanics based on playtesting results and feedback.
- ▸Prepare a detailed mechanics design document outlining your choices.
Resources:
- 📚Game Balancing Techniques by Eric J. Smith
- 📚Prototyping Board Games: A Guide to Creating Game Prototypes
- 📚Playtesting: A Practical Guide to Game Design
- 📚Critical Play: Radical Game Design
Reflection
Consider how the new mechanics enhance the original gameplay and what challenges you faced during balancing.
Checkpoint
Submit a mechanics design document with playtesting feedback.
Component Design and Artwork
In this section, you'll focus on designing new components for your expansion, such as cards, tokens, or boards. You'll also explore creating artwork that aligns with the game's theme.
This phase is important for ensuring that your expansion is visually appealing and functional.
Tasks:
- ▸List all new components required for your expansion and their functions.
- ▸Create mock-ups of each component using design software or hand-drawn sketches.
- ▸Research best practices for component design and artwork in board games.
- ▸Gather feedback on your component designs from peers and iterate accordingly.
- ▸Finalize your component designs and prepare them for presentation.
- ▸Document the design process and choices made for each component.
Resources:
- 📚The Game Maker's Notebook podcast
- 📚Board Game Component Design Guide
- 📚Adobe Illustrator or Canva for design
- 📚Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses (Chapter on Components)
Reflection
Reflect on how your components enhance gameplay and the challenges of aligning them with the game's theme.
Checkpoint
Submit a portfolio of component designs and mock-ups.
Narrative Integration and Thematic Consistency
This section emphasizes the importance of narrative in game design. You'll develop a compelling narrative that integrates with your new mechanics and components, maintaining thematic consistency with the original game.
This phase is essential for creating an immersive experience for players.
Tasks:
- ▸Outline a narrative that complements the gameplay mechanics and components.
- ▸Create character profiles or story arcs that fit within the game's universe.
- ▸Develop narrative elements (e.g., flavor text, backstories) for your components.
- ▸Conduct narrative playtesting sessions to gauge player engagement with the story.
- ▸Gather feedback on the narrative from peers and refine it accordingly.
- ▸Prepare a narrative document that details your story and its integration into gameplay.
Resources:
- 📚The Writer's Guide to Game Design
- 📚Narrative Design in Video Games by Andrew P. D. Smith
- 📚Story Games: How to Create Compelling Narratives
- 📚Game Writing: Narrative Skills for Videogames
Reflection
Consider how the narrative enhances the player's experience and what feedback you received during testing.
Checkpoint
Submit a narrative integration document with feedback.
Pitch Preparation and Presentation Skills
In this final section, you'll prepare to pitch your expansion to the class. You'll learn effective pitching techniques and how to present your ideas confidently to stakeholders.
This phase is crucial for developing your professional presentation skills.
Tasks:
- ▸Research best practices for pitching game ideas to publishers.
- ▸Create a pitch deck that outlines your expansion's key features, mechanics, and narrative.
- ▸Practice your pitch in front of peers and gather constructive feedback.
- ▸Refine your presentation based on feedback and practice delivery techniques.
- ▸Conduct a mock pitch session with classmates acting as publishers.
- ▸Prepare a Q&A section to address potential publisher concerns.
Resources:
- 📚Pitching Game Ideas: A Guide for Designers
- 📚The Art of the Pitch by David H. Freedman
- 📚Public Speaking for Game Designers
- 📚Game Design: A Practical Guide to Creating Games
Reflection
Reflect on your pitching experience, what worked well, and areas for improvement in your delivery.
Checkpoint
Deliver your final pitch presentation to the class.
Timeline
8-10 weeks, allowing for iterative feedback and adjustments after each section.
Final Deliverable
Your final product will be a comprehensive expansion pack for an existing board game, complete with new mechanics, components, narrative elements, and a polished pitch presentation, ready for potential publishers.
Evaluation Criteria
- ✓Quality of game analysis and identified opportunities
- ✓Effectiveness and balance of new mechanics
- ✓Creativity and functionality of components
- ✓Cohesion and engagement of narrative elements
- ✓Clarity and persuasiveness of pitch presentation
- ✓Ability to incorporate peer feedback and iterate on designs
- ✓Professional presentation of final deliverable.
Community Engagement
Engage with fellow students and industry professionals through online forums, social media, or local game design meetups for feedback and collaboration.