This lesson is brief since the focus will be on playtesting your Graded Course Project Game. However, you will learn about two more aspects of The Human Element in Game Design. In particular, Designing for Players where you must think in terms of what your game will be inflicting on them, and When Players Play where consideration is given to what the players will be inflicting upon your game! As an added bonus, the rules for a 'civilized society' at the game table are offered with House Rules and Table Etiquette. After that, Mr. Emrich moves from "The Sage on the Stage" to "The Guide on the Side" while you playtest and develop each other's Graded Course Project games.
The link below is the homework assignment due at the beginning of the next class session.
Be sure to study up for the final exam next week! It is worth 35 points and focuses primarily on the material from weeks 7, 8, and 9 (including the required reading sections for those weeks on this web site) along with some review questions from previous lessons.
These links feature the supplemental material that you are responsible for knowing before the final exam (that takes place at the beginning of Week 11). Be sure to click on every link in this section!
Review Sheet: Principles of Game Design, Week 5 by Alan Emrich
What? I'm telling you to re-read your review sheet from a month ago! You're darn tootin' I am! Re-read the section on playtesting. Now that you're in the heat of battle playtesting your game in class, it's time to freshen up on that particular lesson and apply it.
Article: Shortening Long Games by Anthony Simons
For many of you, your Graded Course Project game takes too long to finish. If so, you will want to read this article to get some sound ideas about how to shorten the game's length while not cutting out its heart.
The web cartoon series above, Player Versus Player (PVP) is hilarious. Be sure to check out its web site for a laugh and add it to your favorites!
With all the work you'll need to do to prepare for next week's homework assignment, studying for the final exam, and preparing your Graded Course Project to be handed in, I thought a mental laxative along the theme of The Human Element in Game Design would be in order. Enjoy a little humor!
Article: Three Novice Mistakes in Game Design by David Sushil
Inexperienced game designers are prone to making certain mistakes. David Sushil, an instructor ad DeVry University, has compiled his three favorite repeat offenders. Find out what three common mistakes of game designer you could avoid just by reading this article.
Article: Ethics in Gaming by Yehuda Berlinger
The same questions regarding ethical issues seem to pop up on the sites I read again and again. I have reflected on these questions for a while and would like to put my thoughts down in writing. I am a long time fan of Judith Martin (a.k.a. Miss Manners), which should give you an idea of where I'm coming from.
Article: Bad Game Designer; No Twinkie! Part I by Ernest Adams
Article: Bad Game Designer; No Twinkie! Part II by Ernest Adams
Article: Bad Game Designer; No Twinkie! Part III by Ernest Adams
Article: Bad Game Designer; No Twinkie! Part IV by Ernest Adams
Bibliography: General Course References
This are no links to the games that we played and analyzed in class this week because we examined your original game designs and conducted some playtesting. Use the feedback from this week's lab session to polish your games before bringing them back to class for more playtesting next week.
