The Affordances of Katamari Damacy

Presented at: NMC Online Educational Gaming Conference | December 8, 2005

Angel Inokon, Stanford University

The Affordances of Katamari Damacy

How the design of an innovative Japanese game captivated the world.


Outline

• Introduction• See the game• Discuss the Game • Design Takeaways – summary• Bonus: Thoughts on Educational Uses of KD• Credits• Questions and Answers

pronounced: ka - ta – ma - ry da – ma- she


About me

IBM Center for Advanced LearningShaba Games intern, discovering the “special sauce”Learning should be “nutritious and delicious”.

SpeakerAngel Inokon

(an-gel e-no-kon)

Now:

Before:

Soon:

My motivation:

Stanford UniversityLearning, Design and Technology. School of Education

Nice picture. She doesn’t look like that now though.


See the game

• Two releases on PlayStation 2 and third on its way for the PSP

• Watch video– Trailer– Gameplay– Japanese Commercial

Developer: NamcoGenre: ActionDesigner: Keita Takahashi Platform: PS2 Rating: E

Release: March and September 2004 (US)

Release: September 2005 (US)


Poll: What are the fundamental properties of a ball?


Design Principle #1: Affordances

Properties of a ball:• Rolls• Round• Bounce• Comes in different sizes

and colors• Bounce• Uniform interface• Push• Resilient• Throw• Weight - light or heavy

Make use and function obvious.

what’s different?

Special Katamari property - Sticky!


Design Principle #2: Simple mappings

• Only need two thumbs

• Student project: rigged a rotating fan to play

If you’ve got two opposable thumbs, you can play.


Design Principle #3: Visibility and Feedback

• Clear progress indicators

• Time display

• Objects you roll make a sound

• Text labels with icons

• Katamari grows as you collect

• Camera recedes as you grow

Games are fun when they are juicy.


Design Principle #4: Constraints

• Can’t roll up an object bigger than you

• Levels are subtly sectioned so you can’t get stuck

• Camera constrains what you can see

• Obstacles become targets

Constrain challenges to keep things fun.


Perspective from game designers

Very satisfying progress. Any obstacle for the player soon becomes a target. You constantly get to "turn the tables" on your adversaries. Instead of killing your enemies, they join you.

The game taps into visceral notions of growth. It allows for safe mayhem with a low penalty for mistakes.

Jeb HavensLead Game DesignerCyberlore Studios

Scott KimPuzzle Game DesignerScott Kim

Erin HoffmanWriter and Game Designer1st Playable Productions

The holy grail of game design is simplicity and addictiveness. It's like Tetris -- without any manual or explanation you can play it within five minutes.

Tip: Reference people smarter than you.


Design Takeaways

• Principle 1: Affordances – appearance should indicate function

• Principle 2: Simple Mappings – simple looking doesn’t mean simple to use. Simplify game controls using single function tools

• Principle 3: Visibility and Feedback – gamers need lots of information. Make it consistent and juicy.

• Principle 4: Constraints – prevent users from making errors that could decrease immersion. Balance challenge by constraining the environment


Bonus: Katamari in the Classroom?

What can students learn from the game:

• Language: English, Japanese, Korean

• Math: metrics, measurements, ratios, proportions

• Design thinking• Genre information – how to

play similar games• Spirituality • Strategy• Game development (see

Cloud example, partner with EA)

Go read James Gee.

Thank you

Question and Answer

Angel Inokonhttp://ldt.stanford.edu/[email protected]

Special thanks to:Shelley GoldmanDeanne Gonzalez-PerezHalsted LarssonJeb HavensScott KimErin HoffmanLearningtimes support

The Affordances of Katamari Damacy

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