Games Studies - Project 2: Play-Test
03 Oct 2023 - 14 Nov 2023 (Week 6 - Week 12)
The game lasted for about 20 minutes, which was longer than our initial
estimate of around 15 minutes or less. However, we all thoroughly enjoyed it
and experienced a sense of thrill and joy throughout the entire game. We
anticipate that other players in the next class will feel the same way.
Additionally, we gathered some insights and made adjustments to the gameplay
based on our findings from the previous session.
Findings:
During the second play-test, the situation became quite chaotic. This chaos
was a result of implementing new amendments and trying to incorporate the
suggestions from the previous play-test within our group. We focused on
allowing players to reuse letters to form words. However, we overlooked the
fact that players received an action card as soon as they formed a word.
Consequently, when players accumulated 5-6 letters, the power cards became
less effective, and participants noted that the action cards seemed redundant
because they could create numerous words with the letters they had earned.
This led to a less engaging gaming experience.
Players seem to be familiar with the concept of playing Jenga; however, they
do not fully grasp the new gameplay and mechanics that we integrated. This
should be taken into consideration, especially since players are new to our
game. Thus, the rulebook should have included more details or provided a more
user-friendly description.
In the first round, players showed uncertainty about the game, but as the game progressed, they began to grasp some concepts, mentioning that the game was intense, particularly as the Jenga tower tumbled after a few rounds.
In the second round, players seemed to have a better understanding of what was going on. They were observed to be excited about the power cards received from the decks. I noticed that players did not return the earned power cards to the deck after gameplay; instead, they carried them forward to the next game. This made me question whether the rules were not stated clearly, if players forgot to return the cards, or if they had their own ways of playing our game.
After observing the entire playtests, I noticed that players lacked flexibility, as some blocks seemed difficult to pull from the Jenga tower, yet they insisted on taking those blocks.
Further Improvements:
03 Oct 2023 - 14 Nov 2023 (Week 6 - Week 12)
Vincent Lee // 0359386
Games Studies // Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media // Taylor's
University
INSTRUCTIONS
Instructions
MIB
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src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1241J_V8BHjU25TnyE-pLfuWQzwbW7rRx/preview"
width="640" height="480" allow="autoplay"></iframe>
Project 2: Play-Test
For this part, the students need to use various methods, such as conducting
play-test responses, observations, feedbacks and findings to collect primary
data for their study. All evidence to support data collection is to be
organised well.
Week 6 - Pre-Alpha Play-Test
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| Figure 1.1 - Prototype, Week 6 (03 Oct 2023) |
Jenga and letters stickers were prepared for today's class, while the
actions cards were handwritten on paper. The paper size was measured to
fit the dimensions of the Jenga set, ensuring it could be accommodated in
the packaging that will be designed later.
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At first, the letter combinations were randomly matched. However, we began
to wonder if there was a specific calculation involved in pairing the
letters. So, we decided to utilize ChatGPT to assist us in generating
letter combinations for each side of the Jenga block. Unfortunately, it
appears that it couldn't comprehend our instructions.
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| Figure 1.3 - Test and Findings, Week 6 (03 Oct 2023) |
- 10 one-sided empty block
- E ×12, A ×9, I ×9, O ×8, N ×6, R ×6, T ×6, L ×4, S ×4, U ×4
- D ×4, G ×3
- B ×2, C ×2, M ×2, P ×2
- F ×2, H ×2, V ×2, W ×2, Y ×2
- K ×1
- J ×1, X ×1
- Q ×1, Z ×1
Video 1.1 - Heaped Pre-Alpha Play-Test, Week 6 (03 Oct 2023)
Players in the video:
1) Georgina (left),
2) Lim Rui Ying,
3) Vincent (right)
Findings:
- Change 5 blocks to Replace Any Letter.
- Wait until the person finishes their turn before moving on to the next player, including putting back the block and choosing the letter.
- Need to say out the word taken on that turn
- The use of a power card counts as one turn.
- Players can use both hands, but only the first 3 fingers.
- The player who makes the Jenga tower fall loses, even if they have formed the most words.
Week 7 - Alpha Play-Test
This week, we invite participants from another group to try out our game. This
activity were aim to allow creators from all groups to refine their game
mockup and prepare for the upcoming Beta play-test, then the final develop of
design of our game.
Video 1.2 - Heaped Alpha Play-Test Batch 1, Week 7 (10 Oct 2023)
Moderator and Observer: Vincent Lee
Players in the video:
1) Lim Cai Wei
(left),
2) Tan Yi-Tyng,
3) Kor Qian Qian,
4) Vincent Lee (right)
During this play-test, it allow me to test and find out several flaws of our
game mechanics. Overall, participants shared that they had a wonderful gaming
experience with our game. However, one participant mentioned that the game
didn't allow her to fully focus because it lacked an element of sabotaging
opponents.
Findings:
- Instead of instant elimination, a player who causes the Jenga tower to collapse will lose half of their points.
- Players will have more freedom in forming words by allowing them to reuse letters, preventing the game from ending after forming a single word.
- To use two identical letters in a word, players must pick the Jenga block with the desired letter once more.
- Power cards are only valid while the game is still ongoing
Video 1.3 - Heaped Alpha Play-Test Batch 2, Week 7 (10 Oct 2023)
Moderator and Observer: Vincent Lee & Georgina Ong
Player in the video:
1) Ain Aziera (left),
2) Jequllunz,
3) Konomi Hoshikawa,
4) Koh Xin Yee (right)
Findings:
- Remain the original rules and game mechanics but implement four different colours of stickers to indicate various point values for different letters.
Updates of Rules:
- 5 one-sided empty block
- 5 one-sided power cards
- 2 points: E ×12, A ×9, I ×9, O ×8, N ×6, R ×6, T ×6,
- 3 points: L ×4, S ×4, U ×4, D ×4, G ×3:
- 4 points B ×2, C ×2, M ×2, P ×2, F ×2, H ×2, V ×2, W ×2, Y ×2
- 5 points: K ×1, J ×1, X ×1, Q ×1, Z ×1
Week 8 - Week 11 - Beta Play-Test Preparation
Click here to Project 3: Design and Visuals for Game
Week 12 - Beta Play-Test & Analysis
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Figure 1.4 - Refined Prototype, Week 12 (14 Nov 2023)
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After weeks of discussion, design attempts, and refining, we get to print
out and present our game on the table.
Video 1.4 - Heaped Beta Play-Test, Week 12 (14 Nov 2023)
Player in the video:
1) Samer Muhamed Usef (left),
2) Yusuf Shan Ahmed,
3) Michelle Huang,
4) Reenahshee Subramaniam (right)
In the first round, players showed uncertainty about the game, but as the game progressed, they began to grasp some concepts, mentioning that the game was intense, particularly as the Jenga tower tumbled after a few rounds.
In the second round, players seemed to have a better understanding of what was going on. They were observed to be excited about the power cards received from the decks. I noticed that players did not return the earned power cards to the deck after gameplay; instead, they carried them forward to the next game. This made me question whether the rules were not stated clearly, if players forgot to return the cards, or if they had their own ways of playing our game.
After observing the entire playtests, I noticed that players lacked flexibility, as some blocks seemed difficult to pull from the Jenga tower, yet they insisted on taking those blocks.
Findings:
- The absence of dice.
- Inclusion of points along with letters.
- No mention of the function of white stickers and blank-sided blocks.
- Failure to specify that players can only choose one side of each block during their turn.
- Rephrase: Change "Game ends when blocks can't be removed" to "Game ends when a tower falls."
(based on feedback and observation)
As the moderators and observers of our group, Heaped (Group 7), my task
today was to guide participants in testing, conducting interviews, and
collecting feedback on our game. At the beginning of the game, I observed
that one participant, Lim Cai Wei, became distracted. Furthermore, there was
a lack of clarity in the game mechanics. In the early stages, participants
seemed confused and struggled to select a letter when they chose a Jenga
block with one blank side, indicating they were free to choose any letter
they wanted. From my perspective, this rule became more helpful and useful
after several rounds and the Jenga tower had collapsed.
Additionally, participants expressed disappointment and frustration when they realized they had collected only enough letters to form a single word. Throughout the game, participants were actively engaged, but due to the four-player limit, each player could collect a maximum of 7-8 letters. Towards the end, players began forming words, but they could only create one word, rendering the action cards useless in this situation. All players ended up with the same number of points, as we had not included different point values for the letters.
After the game ended, I conducted a brief interview with the other three participants. One participant felt hopeless and speechless because she was very close to winning, but when she accidentally made the tower collapse, she was instantly eliminated from the competition. Miss Anis suggested that instead of an instant elimination, players who make the tower fall should lose half of their total points. This would maintain player interest while remaining fair to other players and the game mechanics. She also recommended allowing players to continuously form words based on the letters they take. If a letter was taken twice, it could be used twice in a word. Additionally, the game should only allow words found in the Oxford dictionary.
- Clarify color-coding and points indication.
- Indicate that using blank/symbols/ stickers allows players to receive a power card after forming a word.
- Address the question: If a player makes the tower fall and plays the Revive Card, does it halve their total points?
- Add a mention of a minimum of 4 letters required.
- Specify that players can choose only one side from each block during their turn.
Feedback
Week 7 | Alpha Play-Test
- Do record all the progress and iteration process in blog.
Reflection
Week 6 | Pre-Alpha Play-Test
During this playtest, I observed several types of gameplay. Firstly, there
were players like me and Rui Ying who primarily focused on collecting and
forming words. You could see this in the fact that throughout the entire
game, I didn't plan or take any blocks with one side blank (indicating
action cards). Another style of gameplay was exhibited by players like
Georgina, who adopted a more aggressive approach. She collected power
cards, including the dealbreaker, which allowed her to seize her
opponent's words or letters. Some players opted for a cautious strategy,
grabbing whatever they could from the Jenga tower. Our rules stipulated
that no matter how many words you had formed, if the Jenga tower fell, you
had no chance of winning the game. Lastly, a word of caution: keep your
laptop, phone, or any recording equipment away from this game, as it could
potentially cause damage to them.
Week 7 | Alpha Play-Test
Additionally, participants expressed disappointment and frustration when they realized they had collected only enough letters to form a single word. Throughout the game, participants were actively engaged, but due to the four-player limit, each player could collect a maximum of 7-8 letters. Towards the end, players began forming words, but they could only create one word, rendering the action cards useless in this situation. All players ended up with the same number of points, as we had not included different point values for the letters.
After the game ended, I conducted a brief interview with the other three participants. One participant felt hopeless and speechless because she was very close to winning, but when she accidentally made the tower collapse, she was instantly eliminated from the competition. Miss Anis suggested that instead of an instant elimination, players who make the tower fall should lose half of their total points. This would maintain player interest while remaining fair to other players and the game mechanics. She also recommended allowing players to continuously form words based on the letters they take. If a letter was taken twice, it could be used twice in a word. Additionally, the game should only allow words found in the Oxford dictionary.
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Video 1.3 - evidence on the consequence of adapting suggested
new game mechanics where players can reuse of letters
obtained, Week 7 (10 Oct 2023)
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During the second play-test, Georgina and I were the moderators and
observers. We decided to test some of the suggested ideas to see if they
would work. However, issues continued to arise. Players formed both singular
and plural forms of the same word, and as per the rules, players received
action cards for forming words. This resulted in one player quickly
accumulating 4 and more action cards. Second, players lost motivation to
take letters from the Jenga tower when they realized that with the 5-6
letters collected, they had enough to create a list of words and earn as
many action cards as they wanted. Therefore, we paused the game and asked
for participants' feedback. As a result, we plan to introduce 4 different
colored stickers, each representing different point values. Anytime a player
selects a letter with the highest point value and forms a word, they will
win the game, even in situations where players do not make the Jenga tower
collapse and each player can only form one word.
Sitting alongside our game's participants provides a unique opportunity to
closely observe their patterns and behaviours as they engage with our game.
From the initial stages, it becomes evident that participants are often
perplexed by our game mechanics. This confusion is understandable,
considering they are not the game's creators. Consequently, the design of
our rules book, meant to guide and facilitate players in navigating our
game, falls short of achieving its purpose.
In essence, whether one is developing a game from scratch or integrating mechanics from existing ones, as we have done by combining elements from Jenga, Scrabble, and Monopoly Deals, similar levels of complexity emerge. As creators, it is imperative to subject the game to numerous play-tests, anticipating and addressing potential challenges or obstacles players may encounter. Only through this meticulous process can a game be refined and ready for public distribution.
To strengthen:
- The fingers to be used only
Anaylse:
- the maximum of playing time are depended by the pace of playing, however
roughly 30 minutes should be the estimated time for this game to come to
an end.
Week 12 | Beta Play-Test
In essence, whether one is developing a game from scratch or integrating mechanics from existing ones, as we have done by combining elements from Jenga, Scrabble, and Monopoly Deals, similar levels of complexity emerge. As creators, it is imperative to subject the game to numerous play-tests, anticipating and addressing potential challenges or obstacles players may encounter. Only through this meticulous process can a game be refined and ready for public distribution.
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