Game Tuning Workshop

Game Design and Tuning Workshop

Party Game Elective

Marc “MAHK” LeBlancGDC 2004

Game Tuning Workshop

What You’ll be Doing

• Design Consider constraints Declare aesthetic goals Design a game (in groups)

• Test Play your game Analyze your game

• Tune Revise your game

Game Tuning Workshop

The MDA Framework

Mechanics AestheticsDynamics

Game Tuning Workshop

MDA Terms• Mechanics: The rules and concepts that

formally specify the game-as-system.

• Dynamics: The run-time behavior of the game-as-system.

• Aesthetics: The desirable emotional responses evoked by the game dynamics.

Game Tuning Workshop

Eight Kinds of "Fun"

1. SensationGame as sense-pleasure

2. FantasyGame as make-believe

3. NarrativeGame as drama

4. ChallengeGame as obstacle course

5. FellowshipGame as social framework

6. DiscoveryGame as uncharted

territory

7. ExpressionGame as self-discovery

8. SubmissionGame as pastime

Game Tuning Workshop

Party Constraints

• What constraints are you operating under?

Game Tuning Workshop

Some Constraints

• Lots of party goers• Standing room only• Limited attention span• Food in hand• People arriving late• Alcohol • Limited resources

Cocktail napkins, ballpoint pens

Game Tuning Workshop

Considerations• Should the game involve everyone at the party or

only those people interested in playing?

• What is the ideal complexity level for a party game?

• Structure: When are rules explained? How long do people play? Can people play intermittently? When does the game end?

• Interface: Materials? Access to rules? Scoring?

Game Tuning Workshop

Aesthetic Goals

1. SensationGame as sense-pleasure

2. FantasyGame as make-believe

3. NarrativeGame as drama

4. ChallengeGame as obstacle course

5. FellowshipGame as social framework

6. DiscoveryGame as uncharted

territory

7. ExpressionGame as self-discovery

8. SubmissionGame as pastime