Paper SimulationsPaper Simulationsofof

Digital GamesDigital Games

Steve LibrandeSteve Librande

Blizzard NorthBlizzard North

Take a digital game…Take a digital game…

……remove the remove the controller…controller…

……remove the remove the controller…controller…

……the sound and music…the sound and music…

……the sound and music…the sound and music…

……and the graphicsand the graphics

……and the graphicsand the graphics

What’s left?What’s left?

Exercise #2Exercise #2

• Simulate a video game using Simulate a video game using only pencils, index cards and only pencils, index cards and dice.dice.

Exercise #2Exercise #2

• Simulate a video game using Simulate a video game using only pencils, index cards and only pencils, index cards and dice.dice.

• Use it as a tool to help Use it as a tool to help understand the game’s understand the game’s fundamental design principles.fundamental design principles.

Exercise #2Exercise #2

• Simulate a video game using Simulate a video game using only pencils, index cards and only pencils, index cards and dice.dice.

• Use it as a tool to help Use it as a tool to help understand the game’s understand the game’s fundamental design principles.fundamental design principles.

• Don’t sweat the details.Don’t sweat the details.

Example GameExample Game

• Tony Hawk’s Pro SkaterTony Hawk’s Pro Skater

Example GameExample Game

• Tony Hawk’s Pro SkaterTony Hawk’s Pro Skater

Warcraft: The Board GameWarcraft: The Board Game

Doom: The Board GameDoom: The Board Game

Age of Mythology: The Board GameAge of Mythology: The Board Game

DefenderDefender

ZaxxonZaxxon

ExerciseExercise

• Select a digital gameSelect a digital game• Make a paper prototypeMake a paper prototype• What aesthetics survive the What aesthetics survive the

change in medium?change in medium?

Break Into GroupsBreak Into Groups

• Select a digital gameSelect a digital game Write 3 ideas down on paperWrite 3 ideas down on paper Mix your group’s ideas togetherMix your group’s ideas together Lay them out, discussLay them out, discuss

• Some Example Games:Some Example Games: Grand Theft AutoGrand Theft Auto The SimsThe Sims Command and ConquerCommand and Conquer Virtua FighterVirtua Fighter

CentipedeCentipede Mario BrothersMario Brothers Prince of PersiaPrince of Persia HaloHalo

Break Into GroupsBreak Into Groups

• Select a digital gameSelect a digital game Write 3 ideas down on paperWrite 3 ideas down on paper Mix your group’s ideas togetherMix your group’s ideas together Lay them out, discussLay them out, discuss

• Break down its aestheticsBreak down its aestheticsMake sure you have something by Make sure you have something by

5:005:00

TomorrowTomorrow

• Return to your groups at Return to your groups at 10:00am10:00am

• Start your prototypeStart your prototype

Welcome BackWelcome Back

• Find your Exercise 2 group...Find your Exercise 2 group... If you haven’t chosen a game to If you haven’t chosen a game to

replicate, finish that up.replicate, finish that up. Break down the aesthetics of the gameBreak down the aesthetics of the game

• If you were not here yesterday, If you were not here yesterday, or you can’t find your groupor you can’t find your group Please come up frontPlease come up front

Welcome BackWelcome Back

• By Now you have...By Now you have... Chosen a game to prototypeChosen a game to prototype Broken down aestheticsBroken down aesthetics

Build a Paper VersionBuild a Paper Version

Build a Paper VersionBuild a Paper Version

• What To DoWhat To Do Communicate the core design.Communicate the core design.

Build a Paper VersionBuild a Paper Version

• What To DoWhat To Do Communicate the core design.Communicate the core design.

• What Not to DoWhat Not to Do Don’t sweat the details.Don’t sweat the details.

Build a Paper VersionBuild a Paper Version

• What To DoWhat To Do Communicate the core design.Communicate the core design.

• What Not to DoWhat Not to Do Don’t sweat the details.Don’t sweat the details.

Don’t try to duplicate the entire Don’t try to duplicate the entire gamegame

Build a Paper VersionBuild a Paper Version

• What To DoWhat To Do Communicate the core design.Communicate the core design.

• What Not to DoWhat Not to Do Don’t sweat the details.Don’t sweat the details.

Don’t try to duplicate the entire gameDon’t try to duplicate the entire game

Don’t focus on simulating computer Don’t focus on simulating computer functions (math, AI, etc.)functions (math, AI, etc.)

Build a Paper VersionBuild a Paper Version

Coffee at 11:00Coffee at 11:00

Give your game to another group at Give your game to another group at 11:4511:45

DiscussionDiscussion

Let’s share results.Let’s share results.• What aesthetics survived the What aesthetics survived the

translation?translation?

• What didn’t?What didn’t?

Using Paper PrototypesUsing Paper Prototypes

Using Paper PrototypesUsing Paper Prototypes

• Good for understanding existing Good for understanding existing gamesgames

Using Paper PrototypesUsing Paper Prototypes

• Good for understanding existing Good for understanding existing gamesgames

• Use these techniques for games in Use these techniques for games in progressprogress

Using Paper PrototypesUsing Paper Prototypes

• Good for understanding existing Good for understanding existing gamesgames

• Use these techniques for games in Use these techniques for games in progressprogress

• Process is quick and cheapProcess is quick and cheap

Using Paper PrototypesUsing Paper Prototypes

• Good for understanding existing Good for understanding existing gamesgames

• Use these techniques for games in Use these techniques for games in progressprogress

• Process is quick and cheapProcess is quick and cheap

• You don’t need programmers or You don’t need programmers or artistsartists

Using Paper PrototypesUsing Paper Prototypes

• Can’t replace Can’t replace actual gameplayactual gameplay testingtesting

Using Paper PrototypesUsing Paper Prototypes

• Can’t replace Can’t replace actual gameplayactual gameplay testingtesting

• Can give you a head start and keep Can give you a head start and keep you focusedyou focused

Using Paper PrototypesUsing Paper Prototypes

• Can’t replace Can’t replace actual gameplayactual gameplay testingtesting

• Can give you a head start and keep Can give you a head start and keep you focusedyou focused

• Can give you a vocabulary to use Can give you a vocabulary to use when discussing your gamewhen discussing your game

Using Paper PrototypesUsing Paper Prototypes

• Can’t replace Can’t replace actual gameplayactual gameplay testingtesting

• Can give you a head start and keep Can give you a head start and keep you focusedyou focused

• Can give you a vocabulary to use Can give you a vocabulary to use when discussing your gamewhen discussing your game

• Can be used as a tool to educate Can be used as a tool to educate programmers. Have them play, too!programmers. Have them play, too!

LunchtimeLunchtime

• Sign up for today’s electivesSign up for today’s electives• Come here at 2pmCome here at 2pm