Games Studies / Exercises & Projects
30.3.2022 - 15.7.2022 (Week 1 - 16)
Lew Se Win / 0347637 / Bachelor
of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Games Studies
Exercises +
Projects
LECTURES
Week 1
Dr. Charles gave us a brief explanation of this module. He also explained
the grading system to us. Dr. Charles brought some props to class on
Thursday so that we can design a new game. We worked in groups of four or
five, and we had ten minutes to design the game. Following that, each of us
in the class was given a specific set of props, and we all worked together
to create a new game. However, we were unable to complete a game in 10
minutes. Dr. Charles then talks about the importance of deciding on a game
theme.
Week 2
Dr. Charles gave us a lecture on the topic of games studies.
- Nature of game
- Theoretical & conceptual
- Cultural
- Games in context
- creation of the domain of the symbolic
- idea vs reality
- Local / Positional
- Differences, borders patterns of life, authority
- Relationship between the structure of society with the imaginary & reality
- Structural existence is based on commonality/agreement which defines/perceives a reality
- Space & "empty" position
- allow movement
- allow opportunity
- Relationship between the human subject & the structure
Dr. Charles then briefed us on the project that we need to complete for
this module. The development of a prototype is divided into three phases:
game proposal & framework and strategy management in phase 1, gameplay
genre as well as assets and design in phase 2, and playtesting &
feedback and design improvement in phase 3.
Week 3
Dr. Charles arranged for us to meet with the people in mereka space and the
person in charge of the Game Bagus as he encouraged us to compete. The
competition's topic will be social consciousness, and we've been told that
not everyone will be able to participate in the game jam. There will be a
total of four days, including two days of workshop and two days of the game
jam. During the game jam, we would need to construct a prototype. The events
will be supported by facilities, and the application deadline is April 22,
2022. Finally, the designers will own the game's intellectual property.
INSTRUCTIONS
Week 1: Personal Game History
We are required to prepare a powerpoint with 2 slides to present on our own
personal game history.
Following weeks progress are recorded in our
group blog.
Ideation Stage
Idea 1:
Reimagine life pre/post pandemic
Was thinking on some ideas that everyone can relate
However, I don’t have a general idea for the game design yet
Idea 2:
Reimagine different life choices
Found out this game (The game of life) that is quite similar to our previous
idea proposed by max
We can take this game as reference and redesign a board game that can
delivery similar outcome but maybe not the winning situation of “richest”
(can replace with happiness, knowledge, richest can gain XP or any value? I
not sure. Maybe 3 variables of scoring will be graded to find out the
winner)
Choices: studies, helping others, pets, houses, career, family, friends etc.
Idea 3:
Fairytale
Inspired by the games: Carcassonne & Santorini
Both are building games
Reimagine yourself inside a fairytale story / place
Still thinking on the game mechanism…
The following is the chosen idea which is proposed by Lavender and I.
Theme: Malaysia Food
There’re hexagons on the board, they have 2 sides: the upward stating the
categories of ingredients (spices, protein, vegetable…), while the [actual]
ingredients will be hidden below, where you can only review it when u step
on the pieces.
Action cards (challenges such as steal cards OR trade card) are also
randomly placed in it, same as ingredients, it might be useful or might not,
players can only know when they they stepped on the pieces.
As for the “recipe / instruction booklet”, ingredients needed to make the
dishes will be given to all the players. Each recipes carries it’s own
points based on the difficulty. The recipes can either (a) players decide on
which dishes they want to make based on their available ingredients OR (b)
randomly assign the recipe to players
Game Description
This digital tabletop game with AR components (capable for VR too) in
tabletop simulator is set to give you an adventurous expedition through the
wonder foods of Malaysia. These unique dishes from the peninsula all the way
to the East will definitely make your mouth water and stir up your emotions
as you battle out to complete these amazing delicacies.
More game details in the
group site!
We decided to create our game in tabletop simulator.
Design Stage
I was in-charge of designing the board arrangement, ingredients, dishes, and
recipe cards. I first started with the board arrangement.
Figure 2.0 Board Arrangement
Figure 2.1 Ingredients
.png)
Figure 2.2 Ingredient Card Progress
Figure 2.3 Recipe Progress
Figure 2.4 Revised Recipes
Figure 2.5 Oh, my Dishes! Manual
Figure 2.6 Final Game in Tabletop Simulator
More detailed project description and progress documentation in
Game Design Document
Figure 3.0 Game Design Document in PDF
REFLECTION
It's a fun module! At first, I was very lost in this module as
everyone that takes this module plays digital games, but I do not. I
cannot join in their conversion and feel like I do not belong here.
However, I do love playing tabletop games, and I realize that I should
not limit my definition of a game to digital games only. Hence, I
tried to share my experience in playing tabletop game with my group
mates and also classmates. Besides, in the ideation stage, I was glad
that I have experience in playing different tabletop games, and this
truly inspired me to come up with some ideas for the game we
created.
I was very happy with our outcome for the Oh, My Dishes! game, but the
only disappointing thing was that our game was restricted to the
tabletop simulator and not everyone could play it. Only those who have
a tabletop simulator account can play :(. This is also one of the
reasons that we could not have played tests with other groups, as we
have a limited tabletop simulator account. If we did a physical
prototype, this might not happen, and we could also play with our
friends physically.
Last but not least, I really enjoy working with my group mates. All of
them are responsible, and I believe we have demonstrated great
teamwork too. I would also like to thank my group mates for their
understanding and giving me mental support during these hectic weeks
as I am dealing with different assignments.
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