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- Game Design Document (GDD):<\/strong>Include a concise GDD outlining the game\u2019s core concepts, message\/purpose, rules, and mechanics.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Game Design Document (GDD)<\/strong>
Core Concepts:
<\/strong>
Objective:<\/strong> Players aim to build the most sustainable city by managing resources effectively and overcoming environmental challenges. The game ends after 10 rounds or when a player reaches a population threshold.
Message\/Purpose:<\/strong> The game aims to raise awareness about sustainability and environmental issues while providing a fun, strategic gameplay experience.
Rules:<\/strong> Each player builds their city by constructing buildings (residential, industrial, commercial) and managing resources like money, energy, and waste. Players face climate events and challenges that force them to adapt their strategies.
Mechanics:<\/strong>
Resource Management:<\/strong> Players must track money, energy, population, and waste throughout the game.
City Construction: <\/strong>Players build and upgrade buildings, focusing on renewable energy, green spaces, and waste management.
Climate Events:<\/strong> Random events like droughts, pollution spikes, and heatwaves affect the players' cities.
Challenge Tokens:<\/strong> Players face challenges like population growth or economic crises that impact their resource management.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Iterative Design:<\/strong>\u00a0Showcase how you iterated on the game design, highlighting the challenges you faced and the decisions you made.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
I iterated on Sustainable City Builder in several ways:<\/strong>
Initial Concept:<\/strong> I started with a broad city-building game concept. The first draft included basic resource management and construction mechanics but lacked a cohesive theme or focus.
Early Playtesting: <\/strong>During my first playtests, players found the resource management too overwhelming, leading to overly complex setups. I simplified the number of resources tracked (e.g., removing excessive types of tokens) and introduced a more intuitive system for balancing energy, waste, and money.
Introducing Climate Events:<\/strong> One of the major improvements I made was adding climate event cards, which introduced a level of unpredictability and forced players to adapt quickly. This helped maintain excitement and challenge throughout the game.
Victory Point System: <\/strong>Initially, players simply tracked their achievements. Later, I added victory points for sustainable practices (like reducing carbon footprints or increasing green spaces) to provide more meaningful goals and competition.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Game Mechanics:<\/strong>\u00a0Explain the key game mechanics in detail, using diagrams or screenshots, or photos to illustrate them.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Game Mechanics<\/strong>
Key game mechanics include:<\/strong>
Resource Management:<\/strong> Players must manage their money, energy, population, and waste levels. Mismanagement can lead to penalties during climate events.
Example:<\/strong> A player who builds too many factories without adequate waste management will face penalties when a pollution spike occurs.
Building and Upgrading:<\/strong> Players choose which types of buildings to construct, such as residential areas, renewable energy plants, or transportation hubs. Each building has a cost and a benefit.
Example:<\/strong> Solar panels provide energy but cost money to build. The player must decide whether the long-term benefits outweigh the immediate cost.
Climate Events:<\/strong> At the end of each round, players draw a climate event card that affects all players. These events can either help or hinder the cities.
Example:<\/strong> A heatwave increases energy consumption, so players with a renewable energy grid are better equipped to handle it.
Challenge Tokens:<\/strong> Random events or thresholds in a player's city trigger specific challenges, such as population growth, economic downturns, or environmental disasters.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Player Goals:<\/strong>\u00a0Clearly define the players\u2019 objectives and how they achieve victory.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Player Goals
The goal of Sustainable City Builder is for players to build the most sustainable city by the end of 10 rounds or when a population threshold is reached. Players win by:
Accumulating Victory Points (VP) through sustainable actions such as building renewable energy, expanding green spaces, and managing waste.
Managing their city\u2019s resources effectively, ensuring the balance between energy consumption, waste, and population growth.
Overcoming challenges and navigating climate events to avoid penalties and maintain the growth of their city.
End Game & Winning:<\/strong>
The game ends after 10 rounds or when a player reaches a certain population threshold (e.g., 100,000 citizens).
At the end of the game, players tally their Victory Points (VP) based on their sustainable actions:
Energy Sustainability:<\/strong> Using renewable energy vs. non-renewable sources.
Green Spaces:<\/strong> Number and quality of parks and green areas.
Waste Management:<\/strong> How efficiently waste was handled.
Public Transportation:<\/strong> Efficiency and coverage of transit systems.
Bonus Points:<\/strong> For achieving milestones like zero carbon emissions or 50% renewable energy.
The player with the most Victory Points wins the game!<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Gameplay Sequence:<\/strong>\u00a0Include images or videos demonstrating different stages of gameplay, highlighting key moments and player interactions.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
I really didn't take many pictures of this process either.
Game Setup:<\/strong>
Board Setup: <\/strong>Place the game board in the center of the table. Shuffle the City Cards and Climate Event Cards.
Player Setup<\/strong>: Each player receives a player board, starting resources (money, energy, population, waste), and a set of City Cards.
Draw Challenge Tokens:<\/strong> At the beginning of the game, draw a few challenge tokens that will affect players as they progress through the game.
Gameplay Sequence
<\/strong>
Planning Phase:<\/strong> Players choose cards to build or upgrade structures in their city. Strategic decisions on what to prioritize (e.g., public transport, renewable energy) are made during this phase.
Building Phase:<\/strong> Players use their resources (money, energy, etc.) to construct buildings, such as residential areas, parks, or recycling centers, to improve their city\u2019s sustainability.
Climate & Challenge Phase:<\/strong> Players draw a climate event card, which affects all players. They also draw challenge tokens, which may create additional problems or opportunities based on the state of their cities.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Game Board & Components:<\/strong>\u00a0Show good pictures of the game board and components, explaining how they guide or influence player actions.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rmu.andrewyames.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-04-14-at-5.16.01\u202fPM-1024x707.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Game Board<\/strong>:
The game board represents a city with several zones and areas for development. It\u2019s laid out on a grid where players can build their sustainable infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\nZones:<\/strong>
- Residential Zone<\/strong>: Where players build homes and increase population density.<\/li><\/ul><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Industrial Zone<\/strong>: Areas for factories and waste generation that need careful management.<\/li><\/ul><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Commercial Zone<\/strong>: For businesses and green technologies.<\/li><\/ul>Special Areas<\/strong>:
- Renewable Energy Spaces<\/strong>: For solar panels, wind turbines, geothermal plants, etc.<\/li><\/ul><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Green Spaces<\/strong>: Parks, gardens, and biodiversity areas that enhance public health and happiness.<\/li><\/ul><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Waste Management Areas<\/strong>: For recycling centers, composting plants, and waste-to-energy facilities.<\/li><\/ul><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Transportation Infrastructure<\/strong>: Locations for public transit systems, metro stations, bike lanes, and electric vehicle charging stations.<\/li><\/ul>Map Layout<\/strong>: The grid layout allows players to place buildings strategically across the board, making every decision impactful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Victory Points Track<\/strong>: A continuous track on the edge of the board that records the players’ sustainability achievements, such as reducing carbon footprint, improving public transportation, and building green spaces.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rmu.andrewyames.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-04-09-at-12.57.24\u202fPM.png\")
<\/figure>\n2. City Cards<\/strong>:
Cards that represent various types of buildings and infrastructure, like solar panels, wind turbines, parks, recycling centers, and metro stations. Each card has a cost to build and offers benefits (e.g., energy production, green space, waste reduction).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rmu.andrewyames.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-04-09-at-1.00.13\u202fPM-799x1024.png\")
<\/figure>\nResource Tokens<\/strong>:
Represent the essential resources used for building and maintaining the city:<\/p>\n\n\n\nWaste Tokens<\/strong>: Track the amount of waste generated, which needs to be managed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Money Tokens<\/strong>: Used to construct buildings and pay for upkeep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Energy Tokens<\/strong>: Represent the energy produced and consumed by the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Population Tokens<\/strong>: Represent the number of residents in the city.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rmu.andrewyames.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-04-09-at-12.59.45\u202fPM-748x1024.png\")
<\/figure>\nPopulation Tokens<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rmu.andrewyames.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-04-09-at-12.59.26\u202fPM-793x1024.png\")
<\/figure>\nEnergy Tokens<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rmu.andrewyames.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-04-09-at-12.58.39\u202fPM-760x1024.png\")
<\/figure>\nMoney Tokens<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rmu.andrewyames.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-04-09-at-12.59.03\u202fPM-801x1024.png\")
<\/figure>\nMoney Tokens<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rmu.andrewyames.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-04-09-at-12.55.01\u202fPM-788x1024.png\")
<\/figure>\n4. Climate Event Cards<\/strong>:
Random events that add unpredictability and require players to adapt. These events can either benefit or hinder players’ progress, and they can affect all players.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPollution Spikes<\/strong>: Increase waste and impact public health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Types of Events<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Storms<\/strong>: Reduce energy production or waste management efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Droughts<\/strong>: Affect water resources and agricultural production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Heatwaves<\/strong>: Increase energy consumption and waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rmu.andrewyames.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-04-09-at-12.58.12\u202fPM-726x1024.png\")
<\/figure>\n5. Challenge Tokens<\/strong>:
Tokens that represent various challenges faced by players during the game. These can be drawn at the beginning of a round or triggered by specific conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\nEnvironmental Damage<\/strong>: Pollution or loss of biodiversity affects happiness or requires immediate action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Types of Challenges<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Population Growth<\/strong>: Requires more resources to support a growing population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Economic Crisis<\/strong>: Players must reduce their spending or energy production temporarily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rmu.andrewyames.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Untitled_Artwork-9-1-1024x683.png\")
<\/figure>\n6. Player Boards<\/strong>:
Each player has their own board to track progress and resources. The player board includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\nTurn Summary<\/strong>: A quick reference to track what has been achieved at the end of each round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Resource Tracker<\/strong>: Displays money, energy, population, and waste levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sustainability Milestones<\/strong>: Tracks goals such as reducing carbon footprints, improving public transportation, and adding green spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Energy & Waste Consumption<\/strong>: Tracks energy production vs. consumption and waste generation vs. management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Victory Points Tracker<\/strong>: Shows the player’s progress in terms of sustainability goals.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rmu.andrewyames.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-04-09-at-1.08.45\u202fPM-731x1024.png\")
<\/figure>\nVictory Point Tokens<\/strong>:
Players earn\u00a0Victory Points (VP)<\/strong>\u00a0based on their sustainable actions, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\nReducing their carbon footprint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Increasing green space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Successfully managing waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Improving public transportation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reaching sustainability milestones.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Rulebook & Playtesting:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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- Rulebook Sample:\u00a0<\/strong>Include a sample of your rulebook, demonstrating your writing and communication skills.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Transportation Infrastructure<\/strong>: Locations for public transit systems, metro stations, bike lanes, and electric vehicle charging stations.<\/li><\/ul>Map Layout<\/strong>: The grid layout allows players to place buildings strategically across the board, making every decision impactful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Waste Management Areas<\/strong>: For recycling centers, composting plants, and waste-to-energy facilities.<\/li><\/ul><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Green Spaces<\/strong>: Parks, gardens, and biodiversity areas that enhance public health and happiness.<\/li><\/ul><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Renewable Energy Spaces<\/strong>: For solar panels, wind turbines, geothermal plants, etc.<\/li><\/ul><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Commercial Zone<\/strong>: For businesses and green technologies.<\/li><\/ul>Special Areas<\/strong>:
- Industrial Zone<\/strong>: Areas for factories and waste generation that need careful management.<\/li><\/ul><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Residential Zone<\/strong>: Where players build homes and increase population density.<\/li><\/ul><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Game Board & Components:<\/strong>\u00a0Show good pictures of the game board and components, explaining how they guide or influence player actions.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Gameplay Sequence:<\/strong>\u00a0Include images or videos demonstrating different stages of gameplay, highlighting key moments and player interactions.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Player Goals:<\/strong>\u00a0Clearly define the players\u2019 objectives and how they achieve victory.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Game Mechanics:<\/strong>\u00a0Explain the key game mechanics in detail, using diagrams or screenshots, or photos to illustrate them.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Iterative Design:<\/strong>\u00a0Showcase how you iterated on the game design, highlighting the challenges you faced and the decisions you made.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n