Simulation Game Ideas

1. Retail Rush – This simulation game isn’t any typical “work at a retail store” game. Unlike the other retail games, this one primarily focuses on holidays, such as Christmas or Black Friday. There are difficulties based on the holidays, with Black Friday being the hardest and St. Patrick’s Day being one of the easier difficulties. This sets things into perspective for the player, showing how intense working retail can be. It pushes the player to the limits, forcing them outside of their comfort zone. The typical retail games are usually slower-paced and relaxing, but this one is the opposite.
2. Bird’s Eye – This is a more relaxing simulation, which focuses on collecting, watching and studying different bird species. You can choose different environments which affect the chances of certain species being around, but the premise revolves around collecting and documenting. This game can also be an online game, with a scoreboard for bragging rights.
3. Trash Grinder – Another job simulation, which is based off of picking up trash from different types of neighborhoods. Some neighborhoods could be more dangerous than others, so maybe you could encounter complications. This simulation could go both ways, some neighborhoods more peaceful while others more chaotic. Not to mention, you would have to watch out for people crossing the road. In the end, the goal is to accomplish as many neighborhoods as you can before your shift ends.
4. Tax Fraud Simulator – I think that a game like this would be hilarious, and I’d hope nobody would take it seriously. It could be entirely fictional – maybe avoiding the taxes of an alien on a different planet or something… Basically, you have to find ways to cover up your tracks in order to avoid getting caught by the IRS. The game gets harder and harder as you rack up more money to spend, but you get more points the more you can evade taxes.
5. Gamble Goer – This is a game about risk and reward. You are able to buy scratch offs, go to the casino or play machines which all act as the typical gambling vices. You are given a starting amount of money, and it is up to you to either double what you have or risk losing it all. This might already be an idea, but this could also be an online game which shows how long you lasted gambling. You can be responsible with your money and only gamble a small amount or find a way around the system.

Week 7 Questions

1. What are the challenges a team faces when working on an educational game?
   • One of the main challenges a team faces when working on a game includes finding the game/education balance. The text mentions struggle from levels, preventing players from accessing additional education until they earn what is needed to progress. Another conflict centered on the game’s story, as education can sidetrack the storytelling of a game. All in all, educational games can seem boring and lackluster, so it is important for different aspects to be utilized in entertaining the player.
2. In the case study team members vetoed each other’s game ideas, what were the scientist’s, pedagogy expert’s and designer’s issues?
   • The scientist rejected the game designer’s ideas because the science was incorrect, focusing mainly on logic and less about entertainment. The pedagogy expert primarily focused on the effectiveness and educational aspect of the gameplay, whereas the game designer looked upon the mechanics, design and engagement of the player. All of these aspects from different parties ultimately caused discourse and vetoing.
3. What did the team learn from play testing their prototypes?
   • The team would learn through playtesting how players interact with the gameplay, what they need to incorporate, and how the team can enhance the immersive gameplay. This ties into the next question, as conflicts would resolve when the team learns how to balance game topics building off of the extensive playtesting. The flaws of prototyping could be established and fixed in later iterations of the game development.
4. How does play testing resolve conflicts among team members?
   • Playtesting resulted in progressive revisions, finding the harmony between the pedagogy, content and gameplay. Game designing features a resolution in most conflicts between the subjects, as the designers strive to provide collaborative test-based modeling of educational game designs. Furthermore, disagreements were removed from theoretical stances demonstrating success or failure of design concepts.