Tag: game design

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Educational Game Questions

  • What are the challenges a team faces when working on an educational game? Each team member might have different priorities within game production. Content experts might want in depth background text, game designers want an interactive and compelling experience, while pedagogy experts believe it must be the ultimate teacher. The challenge is coordinating expertise and perspectives to create a final product that balances them all.
  • In the case study team members vetoed each others game ideas, what were the scientist’s, pedagogy expert’s and designer’s issues? The game designer immediately dismissed game ideas proposed by the pedagogy expert and scientist because they did not constitute “a game.” The scientist immediately rejected many of the game designer’s ideas because the science was incorrect. The pedagogy expert didn’t like the idea of levels as it inhibited learning
  • What did the team learn from play testing their prototypes?
    • The scientist learned that extinct animals are not so intrinsically interesting that players will want to learn more about them naturally (solution: less educational information immediately provided rather than a lot of optional info)
    • Levels were needed for motivation and maintained engagement
    • A certain card mechanic was not adding to the learning benefit in replayability so it was substituted
    • Reduced irrelevant information that distracted and decreased engagement
    • When more customized feedback was provide to users, they felt more engaged and like they were learning more.
  • How does play testing resolve conflicts among team members? Game testing is an objective way of proving what works and what does not. It actively tests each person’s perspective and proves its value.
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Review of Gideon’s The Unseen Directive – Colin Kenny

  1. What was the most frustrating moment or aspect of what you just played? Trying to scan the QR codes and then being met with requesting access to a Google Drive every time, and the thinness of the paper making it difficult to pull a card out and put it on the table.
  2. What was your favorite moment or aspect of what you just played? The narrative and the reveal at the end were very clever. I played with Kelsey, and throughout the game we new something was up and that the colors and the action of grabbing the right color meant something, we just didn’t know what.
  3. Was there anything you wanted to do that you couldn’t? Well maybe being able to read all of the cards but for time we couldn’t.
  4. If you had a magic wand to wave, and you could change, add, or remove anything from the experience, what would it be? It would be cool to see this as a computer game or something that doesn’t require a moderator to give the list of colors.
  5. What should be improved with the next version? Better materials and better graphics, but I’m confident Gideon can do that.
  6. Describe the game in 3 words. Color Match Mystery

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Review of Ames’s Civilization Simulation Game – Colin Kenny

  1. What was the most frustrating moment or aspect of what you just played? The lack of knowledge of what we were “supposed” to be doing. The testing phase for this game still felt very loose.
  2. What was your favorite moment or aspect of what you just played? I liked the dedicated 3D printing style. The pieces and board just had this interesting aesthetic that brought me into the world a little more. I also enjoyed taking out the civilians before they could reach the edge of the board and adding them to my collection.
  3. Was there anything you wanted to do that you couldn’t? I’ll be honest, I did kind of fudge the number of moves I had to do the things I wanted to do. It was hard with 6 players taking loooooong turns to think ahead and make moves that feel like you are actually progressing.
  4. If you had a magic wand to wave, and you could change, add, or remove anything from the experience, what would it be? I would try my best to keep the turns moving quickly somehow, or just limit the max number of players.
  5. What should be improved with the next version? I don’t think we were necessarily the right audience for this game, but if it was for us I would say simplification of things like goals, actions, amount of times you could roll the dice, etc.
  6. Describe the game in 3 words. We Live Inasociety
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Game Maker Play Notes Part 2 Sammy Homer

First version:

This game is a card game that was originally called Animal Pickup which had player’s pick-up abilities and have a chance of getting animal cards. Once you get all of your colored animal cards then the player win.

I realized I needed way more ability cards with different uses, less animal cards, and a way to get different colored animals out of a player’s hand

Second version:

I change the name to Critter Picker and change the goal to have 2 sets of colored cards to win (instead of specific-colored cards). I’ve also added abilities to animal cards that only activate if the player has the specific color. Additionally, I made it so there’s an animal pile and an ability pile instead of it being intermingled.

I realized I need a better way of showing the animal pile vs the ability pile as well as adding or lessening some ability cards. I’ve also realized having 2 sets of colored cards may be a bit much especially for 2 players. Additionally, I need balance some card abilities and have clearer instructions (especially on the cards)

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Evelyn: Game Tests

Don’t judge a book by its cover – Sarah’s Game

What was the most frustrating moment? I loved this game but it was sometimes frustrating getting things wrong over and over.

What was your favorite moment? Making connections with people I know. 

Was there anything you wanted to do? See below

If you had magic wand to wave what would you do? See below

What should be improved in next version? I think the game worked well but there could be progressive amounts of background (facts) we learn about people. They still could be completely irrelevant to the quotes; it’s like you’re getting to know somebody but you still may not know what they are going through. Or it could make you connect to and empathize with them more. Just thoughts.

What’s the game’s message? You never truly know what somebody is going through

The game in 3 words: unique & good art

To death do us part – Tori’s Game

What was the most frustrating moment? Nothing!

What was your favorite moment? The attention to detail was so good I loved seeing the themed elements

Was there anything you wanted to do? Have part 2! I want to solve the crime!!

If you had magic wand to wave what would you do? Part 2

What should be improved in next version? I liked your thoughts on box design. Maybe for future iterations have simple instructions (it could be just a phrase). Maybe one of those yellow confidential file folders?? Love this though.

What’s the game’s message? You are the detective. The game in 3 words: wedding murder mystery

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Evelyn: Week 5 Game Ideas

  1. Stocked – A game that teaches users about choosing merchandise specifically for a Boutique storefront. They must learn the balance between budgeting, displaying new lines of products, and investing in other areas of the business.
  2. Geared Up – A puzzle game that teaches players about vehicle mechanics. Depending on the mode, players could choose to either inspect the car to diagnose the problem, or assemble/dissemble vehicles. Players could interact with and learn about parts, their technical terms, and mechanical process.
  3. Wall Street Warriors – A stock market simulator where players are given an initial amount of (fake) money to invest into the market. Stock market trends can reflect reality. There could also be an option with time leap (based off predictions) to see how investment decisions played out in the long run. The goal of this game would be for players to learn about the stock market and gain financial literacy.
  4. Around the World in 80 days – a game intended to bring awareness to different cultures and their traditions. Players must travel to a specified number of locations around the world and collect a culture card from that destination. There are additional spaces along the way that invite players to play mini games, language competitions, or other puzzles.
  5. Diagnostic – A learning aid for medical students. Players are given a list of symptoms through a chat box and must come up with a diagnosis. They may ask the patient chat box questions to try to narrow down their solution. This could also be used for trauma patients – players see a list of symptoms and must take immediate action. quickly gather evidence to make the right call.
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Late Week 4 Response | Dillon DeSantis

  • What learning games have you played? Can you categorize them by the theory of learning types: behaviorism, constructivism, or social nature? If you played more than one, which was the most effective?
    The only real learning game I played was Kahoot!, which would fall under social learning since it relies on competition and interaction. It works because it makes even boring topics feel more engaging, but it’s not exactly deep learning—it’s more about quick recall than actually understanding a subject.
  • Is gamification bullshit? What is Ian Bogost’s argument and do you agree? Where have you encountered it outside of class and what was your experience?
    Bogost argues that gamification is just a shallow way to keep people engaged without actually making something fun. I mostly agree—things like streaks, points, and badges are everywhere, from fitness apps to customer rewards programs, but they don’t actually make something better, just more addictive. Duolingo is a good example—at some point, keeping the streak matters more than actually learning.
  • What is a serious game and why aren’t they chocolate-covered broccoli?
    Serious games are meant to teach something, but they actually try to be fun rather than just disguising education as a game. “Chocolate-covered broccoli” refers to games that force learning into a boring experience and hope people won’t notice. Good serious games, like Papers, Please, make the learning part of the actual gameplay instead of something tacked on.
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Late Week 3 Response | Dillon DeSantis

  • How does Mary Flanagan’s definition of game differ from Chris Crawford’s as well as the definition crafted by Katie Salen and Eric Zimmerman?
    Flanagan takes a broader approach to defining games, looking at their cultural and political impact rather than just their mechanics. Crawford is more focused on interactivity and conflict, while Salen and Zimmerman stick to a structured definition based on rules and formal systems. Flanagan’s take stands out because she sees games as a way to challenge and critique society, not just something people play for fun.
  • What is an activist game?
    An activist game is a game designed to push for social or political change. Instead of just entertaining players, these games try to raise awareness, challenge norms, or make a statement about real-world issues. Some are subtle, while others are pretty direct in their messaging, but they all use gameplay as a way to make people think.
  • Go and Chess are examples of games that feature “perfect information,” what other games share that feature?
    Other perfect information games would be things like checkers, tic-tac-toe, connect four, and shogi. In all of these, every player has full knowledge of the game state at all times—there’s nothing hidden, like dice rolls or secret cards, so every move is purely strategic.
  • Why might chance or gambling games hold spiritual or religious importance to ancient cultures?
    A lot of ancient cultures saw games of chance as more than just games—they were ways to interpret fate, communicate with gods, or determine outcomes that people believed weren’t entirely in their control. Rolling dice, drawing lots, or flipping objects was sometimes seen as a way to let a higher power make a decision rather than leaving it up to people.
  • When was the earliest battle between government/religious groups and games? What modern games can you think of that have been banned or demonized?
    One of the earliest examples was in medieval Europe, when the Catholic Church banned dice games because they were associated with gambling and immorality. In modern times, games like Grand Theft Auto, Mortal Kombat, and Doom have faced bans or controversy for their violence, while Dungeons & Dragons was once caught up in a moral panic over supposed ties to the occult.
  • What is a fox game, and what would be a modern example?
    Fox games are strategy games where one strong piece (the fox) is up against multiple weaker pieces trying to trap it. A modern example would be asymmetrical multiplayer games like Dead by Daylight, where one killer faces off against multiple survivors who have to work together to win.
  • What was the purpose or intent of the game: Mansion of Happiness?
    It was basically a morality board game from the 1800s that tried to teach Christian values. Players moved through a life path where they were rewarded for virtues like honesty and punished for vices like laziness or greed. It was more about reinforcing religious lessons than just playing for fun.
  • Why do artists from the Fluxus and Surrealist movements play games? Why did Surrealists believe games might help everyone?
    They saw games as a way to break away from structured, logical thinking and encourage creativity. Surrealists in particular believed that playing games could help people unlock their subconscious and think in more imaginative ways, instead of being stuck in rigid patterns of thought.
  • Changes in what can signal profound changes in games? How were pinball games reskinned during WW2?
    Theming and mechanics often reflect bigger shifts in society. During WWII, pinball games were reskinned to feature patriotic and military themes, turning them into something that supported the war effort rather than just being seen as entertainment.
  • What statements did Fluxus artists make by reskinning games like Monopoly and Ping Pong?
    By changing the rules and themes of well-known games, they turned them into statements about capitalism, competition, and control. Reskinning Monopoly could be a way of criticizing economic inequality, while modifying Ping Pong could be a way of playing with ideas of cooperation, absurdity, or randomness.
  • How are artists like Lilian Ball, Marcel Duchamp, Takako Saito, Yoko Ono, Gabriel Orozco, and Ruth Catlow using war games?
    They take traditional war games and subvert them to critique militarism, power structures, or strategic thinking in general. Instead of reinforcing the usual ideas of war and competition, their versions often challenge the way people view conflict and control.
  • Why is it important for players to have agency in a critical or serious game?
    If a game is trying to make a point, the player actually needs to feel like their actions matter. Without agency, the game just becomes a passive experience, and the message loses impact. Letting players make meaningful choices makes the experience more personal and makes them engage with the game’s ideas more deeply.
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Late Week 2 Response | Dillon DeSantis

  • what advergames have you played? did they influence a purchase?
    I sat here stumped for a stupid amount of time, convinced I had never played any advergames as a kid (at least, not that I could remember). But after some more research, I realized the LEGO games technically count, since they tie directly to toy sales. I played my share of them — LEGO Batman, LEGO Indiana Jones, LEGO Star Wars, LEGO Harry Potter, and LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean — but I can’t say they directly influenced a purchase. Eight-year-old me was already obsessed with LEGO and video games, so I didn’t need any extra convincing, but the games definitely expanded my awareness of just how many different LEGO sets existed. I probably wouldn’t have cared about Indiana Jones or Harry Potter as much if I hadn’t been exposed to them through these games, even if I didn’t immediately go out and buy the sets.
  • why do the advergames tooth protector and escape work? What makes chase the chuckwagon and shark bait fail?
    Tooth Protector and Escape work because their gameplay actually reinforces the product they’re advertising. Tooth Protector makes sense as an advergame because the whole goal is to defend teeth from cavity-causing enemies, directly tying into the importance of dental hygiene. Escape does something similar, where the gameplay reflects the brand’s messaging in a way that doesn’t feel completely disconnected. On the other hand, Chase the Chuckwagon and Shark Bait fail because they don’t really connect their gameplay to their brands in any meaningful way. Chase the Chuckwagon is just a weird, clunky maze game that barely relates to dog food, and Shark Bait feels like a generic arcade game that happens to have a brand slapped onto it. Neither of them give players a reason to care about the product they’re supposedly advertising.
  • what does volvo’s drive for life accomplish? 
    It reinforces Volvo’s reputation for safety by making players engage with defensive driving and accident prevention. Instead of just showcasing cars, it turns road safety into an interactive experience, making Volvo’s brand message feel more natural and memorable. The game isn’t just an advertisement—it actively teaches players skills that align with Volvo’s identity, making the branding feel more meaningful.
  • what company used in-advergame advertising?
    Epic Games (the studio behind Fortnite) is the perfect example of in-advergame advertising because of its countless brand collaborations across every industry imaginable. You can’t unlink your favorite franchise from Fortnite—Nike, Marvel, Star Wars, DC, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Balenciaga, Air Jordan, Naruto, Dragon Ball, Stranger Things, Travis Scott, Ariana Grande, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Metallica, MrBeast, The Kid LAROI, The Walking Dead, Resident Evil, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Terminator, Halo, God of War, John Wick, Ghostbusters, Star Trek, and even Patrick Mahomes all exist in the same game. This works because Fortnite makes advertising feel like content by turning the brand collaborations into playable skins, in-game events, and sometimes entire mechanics that become part of the player’s experience.
  • what was one if the first home-console advergames and what beverage was it for? 
    Kool-Aid Man (1983) for the Atari was one of the earliest home-console advergames, promoting Kool-Aid by having players stop “Thirsties” from draining a pool. The game reinforced the brand’s energetic image and made its mascot feel interactive rather than just a commercial character.
  • what makes the toilet training game sophisticated and do you agree?
    Graphico’s toilet training game could be considered sophisticated because it translates a real-life challenge into gameplay mechanics, making the player’s actions directly tied to its objective. Bogost argues that this makes it an effective example of persuasive game design; I disagree, and would argue the game assumes a universal experience that isn’t actually universal. It only works for people who urinate standing up, making it feel unintentionally exclusionary. While the concept is clever, its supposed sophistication falls apart when you realize how narrow its perspective is.
  • what do advergames and anti-advergames have in common, and what principles do they share?
    Both game formats are designed to persuade, just in opposite directions. Advergames exist to reinforce a brand’s message in a positive light, while anti-advergames are meant to criticize or deconstruct corporate influence. Despite this, they share the same core principles: both use interactivity to engage players, both rely on mechanics that reflect their message, and both try to make the player feel something about the brand in question. The difference is whether that feeling is meant to be admiration or skepticism.