Game Tuning Workshop

Paper Simulationsof

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

Game Tuning Workshop

Game Tuning Workshop

Game Tuning Workshop

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

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:

GTAThe SimsCommand & ConquerVirtua Fighter

CentipedeMario BrothersPrince of PersiaDoom

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

Mechanics AestheticsDynamics

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”