Game Questions

In your opinion what should every game have? Why do you like your favorite game?

In my opinion I think every game should have an objective, multiple solutions, and some sort of suspensefulness/build up. A clear objective gives the player direction and purpose, while multiple solutions allow for creativity and different play styles. The build-up to a goal makes the experience rewarding, because it creates tension and anticipation before the big payoff. My favorite game is 500 Rummy, and I like this game because you have to play multiple rounds (the build up) and play your cards strategically to reach 500 points. I like the aspect of chance and strategy that is in Rummy, also I personally enjoy games that have a point system and Rummy is all about gaining points.

List the games you’ve played and currently play.

Fluxx, 500 Rummy, Poker, Bullshit, Black Jack, Chess, Checkers, Minecraft, It Takes Two, Unraveled, Fortnite, Gang Beasts, Slime Ranchers, Monopoly, Candy Crush, My Singing Monsters, Hayday, WII sports, Mario Kart, Sims, Wavelength, Uno, Sorry

Can you apply the three act structure to your favorite game? What is its pacing and how long do you find yourself in each act?

For my favorite game, 500 Rummy, I would argue that it does apply to the 3 act structure to some degree. First is the set up, you set up all the players with their cards and they begin the drawing of cards, creating sets, and discarding. The beginning introduces the situation where the stakes are low, and the game starts taking direction. Next for confrontation (mid game) the game becomes more intense with more sets forming, the discard pile growing, and players hands getting smaller. At this point of the game there are risks and strategic moves that players make. Lastly, the resolution of the game is whoever goes out or the deck runs out. This is when the scoring comes into play and resolves the conflict. Even though Rummy does not have a narrative or true story, it does have a natural rising of tension and resolution like these steps include.

When coming up with ideas where do you find you start, with the metaphor or the mechanic?

When I come up with ideas, I feel like I could start with either a metaphor or a mechanic, but I usually begin with the story and concept before thinking about the mechanics. I think this way because it is easy for me to come up with ideas/stories and bring them to life after thinking of how I want the storyline to go, characters to look, and overall vibe of whatever I am creating.

Over the course of this semester, who would you like to collaborate with and why?

I would like to collaborate with anyone, I don’t have my eye set on anyone in particular because I feel that everyone in this course has great insights and skills that would be interesting to work alongside.

August 30, 2025September 3, 2025

Game Response Questions (Vanilla Fluxx)- Harmony Jablon

Game Response Questions

Was it fun?

Yes, in my opinion I thought the game was enjoyable, but me and my group played three different versions of the game and around halfway through the second game we were mentally clocked out. I think it is overall enjoyable, but I wouldn’t play it more than once in one sitting.

What were the player interactions?

Even though the whole game is pretty much player interactions, I felt direct interactions were actions like exchanging hands with each other, picking a card from a player’s hand, and swapping each other’s “keepers.”

How long did it take to learn?

It took about 3-4 cycles around to finally get the idea of the game, and the different cards. But throughout the game occasionally we did have to stop and ask questions or read the directions over again.

What was the most frustrating moment or aspect of what you just played?

The most frustrating part of the game was keeping track of all the new rules, and figuring out which cards canceled each other out. Some were also unclear to understand directions what the player(s) were supposed to do with the new rule cards.

What was your favorite moment or aspect of what you just played?

My favorite moment was the action cards to switch hands with other players. This was my favorite aspect because it created more interactions between players, and made everyone become a little more competitive with each other.

Was there anything you wanted to do that you couldn’t?

I wanted to keep certain cards in my hand even though there would be a card restriction on how many cards you could hold. Having to play them all was frustrating especially when I wanted to strategically keep/use certain cards.

If you had a magic wand to wave, and you could change, add, or remove anything from the experience, what would it be?

If I could change anything about the game it would be how many new rule cards we can have on the table at once throughout the whole game. Due to confusion I think having a restriction of only up to four new rule cards at a time would make the game a little easier to play and keep track of.

Is this a game you would play again? Yes _____ No ______ Why

Yes, because I enjoyed the unknown or chance aspect of the game with the addition of strategy of how to play your cards. I am also a competitive person, so I liked how competitive the game could become.

May 7, 2025May 7, 2025

4D Final- Harmony Jablon

“Who am I?”

I believe my video, a combination of stop motion animation and performance/video, is the perfect visualization of a self-portrait of me. I find it very difficult to pick one experience that I have had that “makes me who I am.” This video represents how every experience I’ve gone through has shaped the person I am today. But, I know there’s still so much more to experience, so many people to meet, and a lot of growing left to do. These future experiences will continue to form new versions of myself. At the same time, I often struggle with the idea of truly “knowing who you are,” because I don’t believe there’s just one fixed version of me. I’m a completely different person than I was two years ago, or even compared to who I was just a month ago. This video captures the idea that I am who I am because of every experience I’ve had, every person in my life, my physical being, and everything that exists inside my head and heart. But when someone asks me, “Who are you?” I still struggle to find the words to fully explain who I am.

April 17, 2025

Projection- Harmony Jablon

For my projection experiment, I used a projector, a shower sheet, and a cutout box to project a circular, ocean-like light. I set up the projector on the floor and pointed it toward a small hallway in my suite. Then I taped up the shower curtain to project it onto and then placed a small box in front of the projector. Then I went behind the curtain to show the final projected animation. (The video will not upload, so I sent it through email)