1. Us vs. It

2. Tanks vs. Robot Cooperative “Boss Fight”
Tank players must destroy the Robot before it reaches the city limits.
Robot is controlled by “AI” rules.

3. The Robot Has 10 Hit Points Actions:
Compute: Place target disc on board
Move: 1 space towards target
Laser Eye: Shoots straight forward
Crush: Attack 5 adjacent spaces
Self Destruct: Inflicts blast damage when destroyed.

4. The Tanks Have 4 hit points Each Turn:
Shoot, Move, Move, Shoot
Move: up to 1 space (not diagonal)
Shoot: Horizontally or vertically for 1 damage.

5. Demo Game

6. Battle! Set up the game board. Tanks go first:
When tank finishes, robot moves:
Execute steps in order
Robot stops after step 10
Alternate Robot and Tanks until one side wins.

7. Tank Rules Reminder Each Turn: Move: up to 1 space (not diagonal)
Shoot, Move, Move, Shoot
Move: up to 1 space (not diagonal)
Can pass through other tanks, but not stop there.
Shoot: Horizontally or vertically for 1 damage.
Can shoot over other tanks.
Play until 3:50

8. Comments?

9. Your Mission: Program the robot to maximize drama.
What does that mean?

10. Your Mission: Program the robot to maximize drama.
What does that mean?
Inevitability
Uncertainty
Dramatic Arc

11. Programming the Robot You can specify: Laser Damage Fist Damage
Target priorities
Sequence of Actions
Move Push/Block/Push Damage

12. Iterate Towards Drama Fail faster! Try to get in many iterations
Play complete games
Archive your iterations
Work until 5:00

13. 5 Minute Break
Stretch your legs
Back here at 5:05

14. Add a new feature Attack Weapon Rule Don’t ruin the drama.
Don’t change the tanks!
Fail Fast!
Have an alpha version by 5:15

15. Beta Test at 5:25
Write your beta version down on the submission sheet.
Make sure your robot has a name!

16. Drama in Us vs. It Uncertainty Inevitability: Behavioral Complexity
March towards Goal
Decreasing Hitpoints

17. Discussion
What other mechanics can create uncertainty?

18. Discussion What other mechanics can create uncertainty? Randomness
Hidden Information
Skill challenges
Negative Feedback
Escalation
Etc…

19. Discussion
What other mechanics can create inevitability?

20. Discussion What other mechanics can create inevitability? Time Limit
Pace monster
Non-renewable resource
Non-reversible process

21. Discussion
When does the climax occur?

22. Discussion
What is the role of the Self Destruct mechanic?

23. The Message “Dramatic” does not mean “Scripted”
Drama emerges from game dynamics
Inevitability
Uncertainty
Building to a climax
Embedded vs. Emergent Narrative

24. Robot battle!
Let’s watch some robots fight each other!