Play testing for to generate rules chagnes and the effects on social context.

Session 23: Changing Rules II

Jesper Juul

JUUL

Guest lecturer Jesper Juul on independent games, and their style and aesthetics.  Note: due to a technical issue, the final few minutes of the lecture are missing.

Session 24: Indie Games and Aesthetics with Jesper Juul

Generating ideas for rule changes and working through the implications on game play.

Session 22: Changing Rules I

The design and machanics of games in which players cooperate to achieve a goal.

Session 20: Cooperative Games

Session 21: Social Play

Discussion of the physical space of game boards and play areas, and how they effect strategy, game play, aesthetics, and other game elements.

Session 19: Space Control

Guest lectures by Glenn Given from Games by Play Date and  Mackenzie Cameron from the Game Makers Guild.

Session 17: Guest Lectures by Professional Designers

Explanation of the 3rd major course assignment, the final project.

Session 15: Assignment 3

Discussion of what simulations include and what they leave out; student pitches for assignment 3 projects.

Session 16: The Simulation Gap & Assignment 3 Pitches

Overview of the process of deciding which mechanics to add and cut, how to implement changes, and common problems.

Session 14: Adding and Cutting Mechanics

Effects of the number of players on game play and strategy, incorporating feedback into design and thinking cybernetically.

Session 13: Cybernetics and Multiplayer

Discussion of the competing and overlapping definitions and ideas of game, play, and sport.

Session 11: Defining Game, Play, and Sport

Considering random elements in game play versus player-driven strategy and how they can complement and compete with each other.

Session 9: Randomness and Player Choice

An overview of the history of American board games, and how those forms continue to influence game design today.

Session 10: History of American Board Games

The contributions of game aesthetics to the experiencing of game play.

Session 7: Aesthetics and Player Experience

A discussion of the MDA framework, based around the videogame Defense of the Oasis.

Session 4: Mechanics, Dynamics, Aesthetics - The MDA Framework

The role of player's lack of knowledge in game design and play, and dice's role in the history of randomness.

Session 5: Imperfect Information and Dice

Making usable games and putting restraints on player actions.

Session 6: Constraints and Usability

In part 2 of the third class meeting the instructor suggests ways to alter rules and gives an overview of the process of playtesting.

Session 3 Part 2: Altering Rules & Playtesting

In part 1 of the second class meeting the instructor leads a discussion of what kinds of player decisions have meaning, and why.

Session 2 Part 1: Meaningful Decisions in Gameplay

Game Design (2014)

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