Game Tuning Workshop Paper Simulations of Digital Games Steve Librande Blizzard North

Game Tuning Workshop Take a digital game…

Game Tuning Workshop …remove the controller…

Game Tuning Workshop …remove the controller…

Game Tuning Workshop …the sound and music…

Game Tuning Workshop …the sound and music…

Game Tuning Workshop …and the graphics

Game Tuning Workshop …and the graphics

Game Tuning Workshop What’s left?

Game Tuning Workshop Exercise #3 Simulate a video game using only pencils, index cards and dice.

Game Tuning Workshop Exercise #3 Simulate a video game using only pencils, index cards and dice. Use it as a tool to help understand the game’s fundamental design principles.

Game Tuning Workshop Exercise #3 Simulate a video game using only pencils, index cards and dice. Use it as a tool to help understand the game’s fundamental design principles. Don’t sweat the details.

Game Tuning Workshop Example Game Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater

Game Tuning Workshop Example Game Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater

Game Tuning Workshop

Warcraft: The Board Game

Game Tuning Workshop Age of Mythology: The Board Game

Game Tuning Workshop Defender

Game Tuning Workshop Zaxxon

Game Tuning Workshop

Time for Lunch When you come back you will: Select a digital game Make a paper prototype What aesthetics survive the change in medium?

Game Tuning Workshop Lunch Be back by 2:00 Choose any classroom: C1, C3, C4.

Game Tuning Workshop Welcome Back In your groups, choose a digital game to “prototype.” You have 10 minutes. Some Example Games: GTA The Sims Command & Conquer Virtua Fighter Centipede Mario Brothers Prince of Persia Doom

Game Tuning Workshop Build a Paper Version

Game Tuning Workshop Build a Paper Version What To Do  Communicate the core design.

Game Tuning Workshop Build a Paper Version What To Do  Communicate the core design. What Not to Do  Don’t sweat the details.

Game Tuning Workshop Build a Paper Version What To Do  Communicate the core design. What Not to Do  Don’t sweat the details.  Don’t try to duplicate the entire game

Game Tuning Workshop Build a Paper Version What To Do  Communicate the core design. What Not to Do  Don’t sweat the details.  Don’t try to duplicate the entire game  Don’t focus on simulating computer functions (math, AI, etc.)

Game Tuning Workshop Build a Paper Version Try to have something playable by 3:15

Game Tuning Workshop Discussion Let’s share results. What aesthetics survived the translation? What didn’t?

Game Tuning Workshop Using Paper Prototypes

Game Tuning Workshop Using Paper Prototypes Good for understanding existing games

Game Tuning Workshop Using Paper Prototypes Good for understanding existing games Use these techniques for games in progress

Game Tuning Workshop Using Paper Prototypes Good for understanding existing games Use these techniques for games in progress Process is quick and cheap

Game Tuning Workshop Using Paper Prototypes Good for understanding existing games Use these techniques for games in progress Process is quick and cheap You don’t need programmers or artists

Game Tuning Workshop Using Paper Prototypes Can’t replace actual gameplay testing

Game Tuning Workshop Using Paper Prototypes Can’t replace actual gameplay testing Can give you a head start and keep you focused

Game Tuning Workshop Using Paper Prototypes Can’t replace actual gameplay testing Can give you a head start and keep you focused Can give you a vocabulary to use when discussing your game

Game Tuning Workshop Using Paper Prototypes Can’t replace actual gameplay testing Can give you a head start and keep you focused Can give you a vocabulary to use when discussing your game Can be used as a tool to educate programmers. Have them play, too!

Game Tuning Workshop Time for Coffee When you come back, go to your elective classroom:  Iron Game Designer: C1  Babysitter AI: C3  Party Games: C4

Game Tuning Workshop Analysis The MDA Framework MechanicsAestheticsDynamics

Game Tuning Workshop Analysis Take a digital game and pick it apart

Game Tuning Workshop Analysis Take a digital game and pick it apart List its aesthetic strengths, i.e. the “fun”

Game Tuning Workshop Analysis Take a digital game and pick it apart List its aesthetic strengths, i.e. the “fun” Talk about the dynamics that create these effects

Game Tuning Workshop Analysis Take a digital game and pick it apart List its aesthetic strengths, i.e. the “fun” Talk about the dynamics that create these effects Talk about the mechanics these dynamics emerge from

Game Tuning Workshop Example: Tetris Part 1: Generate a list of “goals” that describe the “fun” of our game.

Game Tuning Workshop Example: Tetris Part 1: Generate a list of “goals” that describe the “fun” of our game. Challenging Dramatic Transient “Tidiness”