Games Studies - Lecture and Exercises: Series of Investigation
29 Aug 2023 - 10 Oct 2023 (Week 1 - Week 7)
Week 2 - Introduction to Basic Game Knowledge
We decided to start with a game of Scrabble, even though none of us had prior experience or knowledge of it. With guidance from the shop owner and thorough exploration of the game rules, we managed to kickstart the game successfully. Later on, we also enjoyed playing Geistesblitz and Avalon. It was a day filled with enjoyment for everyone.
No lectures were conducted as we were tasked with preparing our Alpha play-test
for next week's class. The list below outlines the tasks and progress that
needed to be completed this week:
Play-test rules
Week 8 - Independent Learning Week
We are assigned the preparation for the beta play-test and refining the design
and visual elements for our game.
Since our tabletop game is already taking its own shape, and now we will need to
design the overall look of the game. For consultation next week, Miss Anis would
appreciate it if each group can provide these information:
For this week, there were no physical classes but we are require to prepare our
final presentation preparation, continue with the compilation of your final
presentation. Hence, we need to re-cap back from our proposed game idea and
present the improvements/adjustments made until the final version. Rationalise
the changes in relation to the play-tests and analysis done.
29 Aug 2023 - 10 Oct 2023 (Week 1 - Week 7)
Vincent Lee // 0359386
Games Studies // Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media // Taylor's
University
LINKS
Practical
1) Exercise 1: Personal Gaming Experience
2) Exercise 2: Evolution and Remediating This Game1) Exercise 1: Personal Gaming Experience
Lecture
*click images to redirect to weekly lecture slides.
Week 1 - Module Briefing and Introduction
Figure 1.1 - Game Development, Exercise & Project, Week 1 (29 Aug
2023)
Figure 1.2 - Ludology, Narratology and Games Principles, Week 2 (05 Sept 2023)
Week 3 - Play Week: Digital & Non-Digital Game
This week, my group mates and I went to a Board Game Center located around
Subang Jaya for our game ideation development.
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| Figure 1.3 - Gaming Process, Week 3 (12 Sept 2023) |
We decided to start with a game of Scrabble, even though none of us had prior experience or knowledge of it. With guidance from the shop owner and thorough exploration of the game rules, we managed to kickstart the game successfully. Later on, we also enjoyed playing Geistesblitz and Avalon. It was a day filled with enjoyment for everyone.
Week 4 - Games Dimensionality
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| Figure 1.4 - Games Dimensionality, Week 4 (19 Sept 2023) |
Week 5 - Online Presentation
Submission of Project 1: Tabletop Game Proposal.
Week 6 - Pre-Alpha Test
- Prepare the alpha game prototype for play-test, including physical pieces such as boards, cards, dice, etc.
- Handcraft the items if you can't reuse existing pre-made game pieces, but keep the design simple and basic.
- Focus on defining the game's rules and set-up, as it is the most crucial aspect.
- Utilize the class time today to play a round or two of your game.
- Take notes regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the game as you play.
- Record the gameplay session for further observational study.
- Analyze these findings to identify areas for improvement.
Week 7 - Alpha Play-Test
- Play with 2 or 3 new players, depending on the game's requirements.
- Rotate the original group members who remain in the game after each session.
- Consider setting up video recording if one person is both an observer and a game guide.
- The observer takes notes without providing feedback.
- The game explainer interacts with new players but doesn't give feedback.
- Other members each choose a new game to play:
- Follow the explained rules.
- Share your thoughts, feelings, and suggestions to make the game more interesting.
- After enough sessions, regroup and discuss findings from the original members who conducted game sessions.
Week 9 - Tabletop Game Design
- Based on the game's concept and theme, list and specify the quantity of all components that your game requires such as cards, tokens, game board, dice, player pieces, and other unique elements required to play the game.
- Compile visual references as your mood board, rough sketches of the design and artwork and share with me next week.
- Please ensure to keep the budget of creating the prototype less than RM100. So, recycle materials if possible.
Week 10 - Beta Play-Test Preparation
- Continue with the development of your game assets. By now, your group should have finalized the designs and work towards the planning of producing the physical outputs.
- Do be reminded that Beta Playtest is by Week 12. You have about less than 2 weeks to prepare. So do plan your time properly.
- Consultation (9AM - 12NN)
Week 11 - Beta Play-Test Preparation
- Continue with the development of your game assets. By now, your group should be in the planning or in the process of producing the physical outputs.
- Ensure that your game is able to be packed properly, ideally in a box for safekeeping.
- Do not forget to create and produce a manual for your game.
- Group leader please message me with the number of players required to play your game.
- Message for consultation (9AM - 12NN)
Week 12 - Beta Play-Test
In today's class, we initiated the BETA play-test. Before the play-test
started, we were given an hour to finalise preparations for each of our game's
play-test. Notably, each game was assigned new players, ensuring that no
original group members participated in their own game. This is to allow each
group to receive an entirely new perspective and feedback from those who were
new to the game for further refining and game development. To facilitate this,
students were tasked with organising a video recording mechanism to capture
the play-test sessions effectively. This hands-on approach allowed for
comprehensive testing and analysis of the games in development.
Week 13 - Self Directed
Week 14 - Game Presentation & Submission
Present accordance with the sequence from Group 1 to Group 9. Submit of the game we created to Ms. Anis and reminded to conduct TES and peers evaluation.
Instructions
MIB
<iframe
src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1241J_V8BHjU25TnyE-pLfuWQzwbW7rRx/preview"
width="640" height="480" allow="autoplay"></iframe>
Exercises - Series of Investigate
Complete a series of progressive video presentations that report our
observation and analytical skills to different aspects of digital
gaming. The growth of this knowledge will contribute to the creation
of our group’s tabletop game design.
Exercise 1: Personal Gaming Experience
According to the task requirements, I have chosen Dragon City to
review based on my experience and will introduce how this video game
has engaged me.
The review will be presented with my findings from the position of player and designer as a video presentation and will be uploaded it into YouTube for submission.
The review will be presented with my findings from the position of player and designer as a video presentation and will be uploaded it into YouTube for submission.
Figure 1.1 - Exercise 1: Personal Gaming Experience - SLIDES, Week 2
(07 Sept 2023)
Figure 1.2 - Exercise 1 Slides Presentation, Week 2 (07 Sept
2023)
Figure 1.3 - Dragon City In-App Review, Week 2 (07 Sept 2023)
Exercise 2: Non-Digital to Digital - Evolution and Remediating
This Game
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| Figure 1.4 - Task Requirements, Week 4 (19 Sept 2023) |
Figure 1.5 - Exercise 2: Evolution & Remediating of
Non-Digital, Week 7 (10 Oct 2023)
Figure 1.6 - Exercise 2 Slides Presentation, Week 7 (10 Oct 2023)
Feedback
Week 7
- game mechanics is the game structure, gameplay is how players interact
with the mechanics
Reflection
Instructions: Write a short reflection entry (min 300 - max 500 words)
about the gaming experiences for both exercises based on the iterative
process with playful experiences:
- As a designer/creator and the player, how does the review of the gaming experiences helped you made aware of the different aspects of playful experiences?
- How does the exercises helped your group to come up with the idea of your project?
Figure 1.7 - Reflections, Week 7 (10 Oct 2023)
Quick Links
