+ Welcome to Strategy Games! Kathleen Mercury. + Some call them eurogames, some say designer games,...
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Transcript of + Welcome to Strategy Games! Kathleen Mercury. + Some call them eurogames, some say designer games,...
+
Welcome to Strategy Games!Kathleen Mercury
+
Some call them eurogames, some say designer games, but we’re going to just call them strategy games.
+Games are Fun!
Games have provided humans the opportunity to engage in mental challenges, social interaction, recreation, and competition for thousands of years.
Many new games are introduced each year, but few are successful enough to merit production in subsequent years.
You, however, will create a classic bound to be played for all eternity.
+Luck vs. Strategy
Linear Path to victory
Few decisions
Few pros vs. cons
Unequal knowledge
No reason to plan strategy
Similar experience
Multiple paths to victory
Many decisions
Many pros vs. cons
Equal knowledge
Can play strategy that takes many turns
Different experience every game
Luck Strategy
+Candyland
http://www.lscheffer.com/CandyLand.htm
+Gamers Are Funny
www.boardgamegeek.com
Ideal Characteristics ofa Strategy GameIdeal Characteristics ofa Strategy Game
FUN
InteractiveCompetitive
Cool Idea
Product matches expectations
Creative
Frustrating
Purpose
Anything Else?
+Strategy Games
www.boardgamegeek.com
+Characteristics of Strategy Games
Emphasis is on player decision-making, not luck
Inventive mechanics (what players do)
Allow for multiple strategies to win
Board and bits use symbols, not words, to create language independence
A “clock”: A specific time-keeping device designed to keep the game length consistent between plays Examples include a set number of rounds, cards, when a
particular resource runs out, or some other configuration No more endless games!
+Components of a Strategy Game
Ideas Theme Objectives Mechanics End Game
& Victory Conditions
Tangibles Rules Board Bits
A specific subject or scenario world is created in which to immerse players.
All elements of the game should reflect the theme.
Theme
+ ObjectivesStated goals players must achieve by the end of the game to win.More complex games give players many different ways to achieve their objectives, but they are harder to create.
The specific physical actions players must undertake to win.In the case of Ticket to Ride, the mechanics are Card Drafting, Hand Management, Route/Network Building, and Set Collection.
Mechanics
+ RulesSuccessful rules clearly and concisely communicate to players what they need to know and what they need to do in order for them to play the game as you intend for it be played.
In other words, you want to create an experience for players; the rules are the only way for players to achieve that experience.
+End Game & Victory Conditions
The event that triggers the end of the game.
The method of determining the game winner.
End Game Conditions Victory Conditions
+Game Designer Roles
Game Player
Motivator
Graphic Designer
Writer
Engineer
Salesman
Public Relations
*Negotiator
+Game Designer Skills
Communication Written, verbal, visual, aural, persuasive
Observation and listening Playtesting
Creative Thinking Resourcefulness Innovation
Analytical Thinking Attention to detail Troubleshooting
Teamwork & Independence
+NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO
• Roll and Move • (or similar luck-
based movement)
• Killing or non-school appropriate weapons
• War themes
• Sports themes
• Player elimination
+ The End ResultYou will have created a complete physical prototype that is a testament to your ideas and execution. It is a real product that others will be really interested in.
http://boardgamegeek.com/article/5977099