Prototyping & Testing (11/11-11/17)

This week I started on visual design and created a testable prototype. I know it’s not perfect and it may be a very boring game, but I needed to see it played before I can add new mechanics. I would like to see how people feel about the certain aspects that are in the game currently, that way I have a better understanding of what I can improve.

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Gameplay

Goal

Find Acceptance by navigating through Grief.

How to Play

Players will use a spinner to determine how many moves they make on the board.

If they land on a Forest space, they draw a Forest card. If they land on a Monster space, they draw a Monster card. Each Forest card will set the stage for what the environment provides or what disasters may occur. Players need to use their items and coordinate with their team to successfully make it through together. All players must reach the end of each Board Tile in order to add a new one.

Monster cards prompt the player to ask another teammate a question about grief, in order to get past the monster. Each monster represents an emotion someone may experience from grief. Players can engage in a conversation and gain a better understanding on how others view grief as they navigate it together.

Players can only find the final path to Acceptance if they get through each and every Board Tile.

Board Tiles

Players will navigate through different environments and biomes in order to reach Acceptance at the end.

Monster Cards & Action Cards

Monster Cards represent different emotions people may experience during grief. In order to get past each monster, the player is prompted to ask a question around grief to a teammate.

Action Cards are set the environment for the board. Players may use their items to prevent or gain materials.

Backpack & Materials

Every player will have a backpack with 4 items. All players will have a map, weapon, light source, and an extra piece of supplies. They may choose what specific item they want and think about how it might affect gameplay.

Full Backpack

Backpack with Missing Supplies

Throughout the game, players may lose items from the biome they are in. When this happens, they turn the item tile over as an indicator.

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Next Steps

For the board game, there are a few design changes to make.

Boards

• Make the board tiles smaller

• Is there a way to integrate different environments? Or is it all 1 biome with different aspects?

• How to design the visuals of Acceptance board tile?

Cards

• More cards?

• Different cards for different environments? How messy would it be?

Player Items

• More variety of items?

• Can players collect items throughout the game?

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Reflection

This week I’m glad I was able to start designing a visual language as well as beginning user testing. It’s been difficult trying to design and game and figure out how to write down rules that are easy for players to understand. A concern I still have is making the game too complicated. I understand collaborative games tend to have a lot of pieces but I originally wanted a game that would act as a medium for conversation, not as the main star of the project.

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Next Steps

Next week I plan to continue to iterate and evolve my project. I want to talk to more people to see what their thoughts are on the direction of my project. I also plan to continue to develop the beginning stages of visual design for my game.