1. SiSSYFiGHT 3000 Game Design Workshop

2. Overview
SiSSYFiGHT simulates a playground fight between school children.
This year the rules of the game are described in a way that is noticeably more abstract than last year. That having been said, I may delete this slide or move it later. 2

3. Overview
Each kid begins with 10 Self-Esteem chips … and the goal of the game is to reduce your opponents’ self-esteem to ZERO!
This year the rules of the game are described in a way that is noticeably more abstract than last year. That having been said, I may delete this slide or move it later. 3

4. Overview
When there are only one or two players left with any self-esteem, they win the game!
This year the rules of the game are described in a way that is noticeably more abstract than last year. That having been said, I may delete this slide or move it later. 4

5. Setup Each player gets: 3 Action Cards 7 Target Cards 10 Chips
Find the target card of your color and use it as a player sign.

6. Each Round:

7. Each Round: Choose action and target card in secret.
You can plot and scheme with other players, but your final choice must be secret.
All communication must be public.

8. Each Round:
Choose action and target card in secret.
Everyone Reveals

9. Each Round: Choose action and target card in secret. Everyone Reveals
Resolve all actions.

10. Solo
Your target discards one chip.

11. Team
If someone teams up with you, each Team card forces the target to discard two chips…

12. Team
If someone teams up with you, each Team card forces the target to discard two chips…
… but, if no one else played a “Team” with your target, there’s no effect.

13. Defend Always play with “No Target”
Lose half as many chips as you would have:
1  0
2  1
3  1
4  2
etc.
If no one targets you, lose 1 chip.

14. Game End When you run out of chips, you’re out.
When one or two people are left, they win.
This is just a summary. The real rules are on the handout.
Play for about half an hour. 14

15. Play until 11:00
Put the cards back in the box when you’re done 15

16. General Observations About Sissyfight?
5 minutes. 16

17. What’s fun about SiSSYFiGHT?
What kinds of fun did you experience?
Can we get more specific than “fun?” 17

18. What’s fun about SiSSYFiGHT?
What kinds of fun did you experience?
Can we get more specific than “fun?”
Intrigue: Negotiation, Cooperation, Betrayal
Challenge: Tactics, Problem Solving
Drama: Narrative Arc 18

19. How do we get from…
Cards
Chips
Rules 19

20. To…
Cards
Chips
Rules
Intrigue
Challenge
Drama 20

21. What’s missing?
“Rules”
“Fun” 21

22. The causal link… “Rules” “Activity” “Fun”
This is what sets games apart… 22

23. Games As Software “Rules” “Activity” “Fun” Code Process Requirements23

24. A Design Vocabulary “Rules” “Activity” “Fun” Code Process Requirements24

25. A Design Vocabulary
Mechanics
“Activity”
“Fun”
Process
Requirements 25

26. A Design Vocabulary
Mechanics
Dynamics
“Fun”
Requirements 26

27. A Design Vocabulary
Mechanics
Dynamics
Aesthetics 27

28. The MDA Framework
Mechanics
Dynamics
Aesthetics 28

29. The MDA Framework
Mechanics
Dynamics
Aesthetics
What do we mean? 29

30. Mechanics
The concepts and materials that formally specify the game-as-system.
Everything you need to play.
Not just rules
Not just “Systemic Building Blocks”
Not “Technical execution of moves by players.” (eSports)

31. Dynamics
The run-time behavior of the game-as-system. What happens when you play.

32. Aesthetics The emotional content of the game.
How players feel when they play.
Not just visual or sensory qualities.
Cognitive rather than Behavioral

33. This is a systems view of games.
Input
Output
Logic
State

34. The Designer/Player Relationship 
Mechanics
Dynamics
Aesthetics
Player
Designer 34

35. The Player’s Perspective
Mechanics
Dynamics
Aesthetics
Player 35

36. The Designer’s Perspective
Mechanics
Dynamics
Aesthetics
Designer 36

37. MDA A “Taxonomy” of Design Knowledge Aesthetics Dynamics Mechanics
…and the interactions between them. 37

38. Aesthetics of SiSSYFiGHT
Fellowship: Negotiation, Cooperation, Betrayal
Challenge: Tactics, Problem Solving
Narrative: Drama 38

39. Mechanics of SiSSYFiGHT
Turn-based
Hit Points
Public Communication
Simultaneous Action 39

40. Dynamics of SiSSYFIGHT
Equality
Scourge
Competition,
Random Attacks
Cooperation,
Team Attacks 40

41. SiSSYFiGHT Fiction
Does SiSSYFiGHT do a good job of conveying its subject matter?
How can it do better? 41

42. SiSSYFiGHT Fiction
What other fictional genre or subject matter could the mechanics of SiSSYFiGHT simulate?
Make it clear that the aesthetic qualities from the breakdown are goals. Conveying their subject matter is also a goal. Maybe they should come up with a model?
Obviously the point here is to stress the value of mechanics in conveying fiction. Attendees should also feel free to rename the moves or make other cosmetic changes to convey the fiction, but encourage rules changes. They should think about adding new kinds of actions, etc.
Also encourage people to limit their ambition; don’t just rewrite the rules from scratch. Justify your changes in terms of the goals. 42

43. Exercise
Choose a fictional genre and/or setting that might fit this game.
Adapt the game to your chosen subject matter.
Keep in mind the aesthetic qualities we identified in the breakdown.
How can the rules of the game be changed to best support your fiction?
Make it clear that the aesthetic qualities from the breakdown are goals. Conveying their subject matter is also a goal. Maybe they should come up with a model?
Obviously the point here is to stress the value of mechanics in conveying fiction. Attendees should also feel free to rename the moves or make other cosmetic changes to convey the fiction, but encourage rules changes. They should think about adding new kinds of actions, etc.
Also encourage people to limit their ambition; don’t just rewrite the rules from scratch. Justify your changes in terms of the goals. 43

44. Brainstorming
Everyone Grab a Sticky Pad 44

45. When I Say “Go…” You will have 90 seconds.
Write down as many subject matter ideas as you can.
One to a sticky note.
Keep it Short ( 5 words)
No idea is too dumb.
Work in silence. 45

46. Ready?
Go! 46

47. Pens Down! With your group: Get on your feet! Find some wall space
Stick your ideas to the wall
Put like ideas together
Look for critical mass
Narrow down a fiction to work on. 47

48. Fill Out the Template Don’t change rules yet; just “skin” the game.
Fill one out as a team, then everyone copies.
Cut it into cards for testing.
Once you’ve played the skinned version, go to lunch.

49. Lunch
Read about electives on gdc.8kindsoffun.com or tinyurl.com/gdc-mda
Continue work at 1:30

50. Exercise: You’ve chosen a setting or fiction for SiSSYFiGHT.
You’ve played a “skinned” version of the game.
Now go deeper, look for rules changes that will support your theme.
Work until 2:45 50

51. Beta Test at 2:45
Make sure your rules are written down. 51

52. Beta Test Send 2 team members to another table as beta testers.
Test until 3:10 52

53. Discussion
Let’s compare solutions. What different approaches did we take?
3:25
Solicit results from each group. Discuss. Give each group 3-4 minutes. About 20 minutes total. 53

54. The Message
Game dynamics have emergent meaning. This can harmonize with your subject matter, or clash with it. We often desire harmony, but not always.
As time permits. 54

55. Any Final Observations?
General discussion as time permits. Try to tie it back to digital games.
3:40 55

56. Short Break Electives Start at 3:35
Room
Game of Games
120
Meaning as a Mechanic
121
Us vs. It
122
Games That Teach
123
Horns of a Dilemma
124
Design Jam
125