Intro to Game Design Getting in Your Way Week 1: September 2, 2015 Intro to Game Design Getting in Your Way Fall 2015 Mondays & Wednesdays 12:30 AM-3:15 PM Instructor: Naomi Clark nmc5@nyu.edu / naomi@halfrobot.com Teaching Assistant: Reynaldo Vargas rdv230@nyu.edu

Welcome! This is: Intro to Game Design Today’s Class Introductions: you, me, us Watch a short documentary What we’ll be doing in this class Tee up and play some holes of bolf …after designing some holes of bolf (take a short break) Do some more level design on paper Get your first assignment

Welcome! This is: Intro to Game Design Now, who are you? Please share with us: Your Name What you’re studying here at NYU Your preferred gender pronouns (“I go by she and her”) A recent emotional experience you had playing a game (>10s)

Designing

Enough talk: let’s make something! Beanbag Golf (or “Bolf”) Design two holes for bolf A “learning hole” that introduces an idea An “advanced hole” that makes this idea harder Player starts on an “X” made with tape and tosses The combined par for two holes must be 7 tosses You may add stroke penalties, special areas, special rules Use materials on the prototyping cart!

Intermediate Game Design: what we do each week Course Structure: Inside a Week Mondays (usually): discussion, explanations, and exercises - Readings will usually be due - Discuss the readings: come with questions if you have them! - Most of class: illustrating what we’re reading/thinking about through play Wednesdays: lab for group collaboration Starting next Wednesday, lab time will be devoted working on your projects, getting feedback, and playtesting your games. Keep in mind: you must work on your projects outside of class too! It’s unlikely you’ll have enough time in lab sessions alone.

Intro to Game Design: the projects The Things You’ll Make Project I: ABSTRACT LEVEL DESIGN (starts today) Make 2+ levels for an existing game Project II: EXPERIENTIAL LEVEL DESIGN A longer sequence of levels, this time with feeling Project III: NARRATIVE RPG Tabletop roleplaying, with set rules + your story Project V: CONCEPT PITCH Sell your idea. Then flesh it out! Project VI: CARD GAME A complex, customizable economy

Intro to Game Design: extrinsic motivators ABSTRACT LEVEL DESIGN CLASS PARTICIPATION & ATTENDANCE CONCEPT PITCH PROTOTYPE READINESS CONCEPT DOCUMENT Grading Breakdown EXPERIENTIAL LEVEL DESIGN CARD GAME NARRATIVE RPG

Intro to Game Design: extrinsic motivators ABSTRACT LEVEL DESIGN “Move Up, Move Back” CLASS PARTICIPATION & ATTENDANCE CONCEPT PITCH PROTOTYPE READINESS CONCEPT DOCUMENT EXPERIENTIAL LEVEL DESIGN CARD GAME NARRATIVE RPG

Enough talk: let’s make something else! Slider Puzzle Levels Turn to the person next to you You’re going to make a level for this game! The basic rule: when the avatar moves in a direction, it moves until it hits something. The basic goal: get to the exit Design a level using only these rules, but see if you can work within this framework to create something new and interesting The challenge: not too easy, and not too hard. Juuust right.

Sliding Puzzle Levels Slider Puzzle Game What elements could be added to expand the level design possibilities of this game without radically changing it? Next: pick an element to work with Write down the rules for this element Design two levels: one “tutorial level” for this element, and one more advanced challenge Record your final two levels on a blank worksheet, including a key to what symbols you draw on the worksheet mean! Bring this with you to class next week!

Project #1: Abstract Level Design VVVVVV

Project #1: Abstract Level Design Create at least two VVVVVV levels Play this game if you don’t already know it! Start playing with the tool to get a feel for it Find a mechanic, a gameplay element, or an “experience idea” that’s made possible by VVVVVV Examples: enemies, disappearing platforms, changing direction rapidly between screens, tight precision landings Create at least two levels: one introduction, one advanced Due in class in two weeks We’ll be working on these levels in lab class next week

Project #1: Abstract Level Design Create at least two VVVVVV levels Deliverables for this assignment: Overview: title of your levels, short description of the concepts you’re working with and/or the experience you’re trying to create Design Process Statement: 1 paragraph talking about what challenges, opportunities, or discoveries you made in the process of creating these levels—what surprised you? What was harder than anticipated? Did you make any changes based on playtesting? Levels: Your .vvvvvv file (from directory shown in “player levels” menu). Make sure it has a name, author and description.

Your other homework… Readings