Author: Barson

Changes made:

Game Board sized up to be longer and board spaces added to increase the length of the game.

Normal Day and Wager Space added to give downtime on the board, as well as events throughout.

Thoughts:

Throughout making this game, I thought it was a simple idea that worked well. In the end though, it ended up being scrapped due to Skate Skirmish. If I was to come back and adjust the game, I would make the board larger and add more spaces for interaction with other players.

Describe the best game you’ve made this semester in 200 words? Follow Michelle Nephew’s advice.

The best game I’ve made this semester is Skater Skirmish. Compared to my other games, this game stands out as the most complete. While some of my other games struggled to progress beyond the first prototype phase due to playability issues, Skater Skirmish managed to overcome these challenges. The concept was easy with players, and their responses encouraged me to refine it further.

What makes Skater Skirmish special is its accessibility. The gameplay is easy, making it enjoyable for people of all age groups who can move their hands. This inclusivity comes from its  easy mechanics and simple rules, which ensures that anyone can learn and play the game. I prioritized simplicity because a more complicated design would have kept younger players or those unfamiliar with board games from playing.

To continue, Skater Skirmish blends fun and strategy with ease. Players are engaged in a game of classic skate, with just enough change to the game to make it interesting. It’s a game I’m proud of because it represents my growth as a designer and a carpenter. By focusing on player enjoyment, I created something that works with a wide audience.

• Question Set 1
  • What is the difference between a “working” and a “display” prototype?
• A working prototype is a functional game prototype that is playable, while a display prototype provides the artistic aspects of the game without it being functional.
  • What is required of a working prototype, and what might cause one to fail?
  • A working prototype is a game that functions as it should with all aspects of the game, and only needing further refinement based on what comes from playtesting. It can fail if the rules are unclear, or if there are elements missing.
  • What makes for a good prototype according to Dale Yu?
  • The game should be easy and intuitive to play, have a clear goal and rules, and the game should be complete enough to be clearly playable without much issue and interference from the creator.
  • What advice from Richard Levy will help you pitch your game?
  • Be clear and focused on your goals, understand your audience, include a demo of how the game is played, and be professional.
  • Where might you pitch your game?
  • I could pitch my game at local skate shops or similar stores. On top of that, it can be pitched at competitions where brands set up tents.
  • What do publishers look for in a game?
  • How well the game functions, how well it will sell, how re-playable it is, and that the game has a good appeal to the target audience.
  • What makes a good set of Rules?
  • Rules should be clear and concise, and shouldn’t have to be questioned by the player for more than a few seconds. If rules are not clear, than that can sway a player from playing the game as intended.

• Question Set 1
  • what is the difference between a game designer and a game developer?

Game designers create concepts of games, while developers actually fully develop them.

• what commonly occurs during the game development process?

Game creating, Prototyping, testing, repeat

• what are the challenges of balancing a game?

It is hard to balance a game because while doing so you must keep the game fair and fun. You have to manage expectations, keeping everything working well.

• what should every player of your game believe? why?

Every player of my game should believe that they are a struggling person getting by by scratching lottery tickets.

• how can you avoid stealing players fun?

Clear rules, easy mechanics, and intuitive to play.

• what 10 maxims should you follow when writing rules?

No intermediary technology, no jargon, dont over complicate, add flavor, don’t write text smarter than your players, keep sentences short, make things visually pleasing, test games, mistakes aren’t the end of the world.

• Question Set 2
  • how has play testing changed your game?

Play testing has helped me develop my game to a different level, since everyone sees my game differently with different issues.

• who from class would you like to play test your next game or version 2 of your first game?

Brayden and Owen

• who is the audience for your game?

17+

• who should play test your game outside of class?

My fraternity brothers on a Saturday night.