Paper Simulations of Digital Games

1. Paper SimulationsofDigital Games Stone Librande Lead Designer, Spore Galactic Adventures EA/Maxis (Please open in PowerPoint and refer to the note field for information about each slide.)

2. Take a digital game…

3. …remove the controller…

4. …remove the controller…

5. …the sound and music…

6. …the sound and music…

7. …and the graphics

8. …and the graphics

9. What’s left?

10. Exercise #2 • Simulate a video game using only pencils, index cards and dice.

11. Exercise #2 • Simulate a video game using only pencils, index cards and dice. • Use it as a tool to help understand the game’s fundamental design principles.

12. Exercise #2 • Simulate a video game using only pencils, index cards and dice. • Use it as a tool to help understand the game’s fundamental design principles. • Don’t sweat the details.

13. Example Game • Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater

14. Example Game • Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater

15. Asteroids

16. Asteroids

20. Warcraft: The Board Game

23. Exercise • Select a digital game • Make a paper prototype • What aesthetics survive the change in medium?

24. Break Into Groups • Select a digital game • Write 3 ideas down on paper • Mix your group’s ideas together • Lay them out, discuss

25. Break Into Groups • Select a digital game • Write 3 ideas down on paper • Mix your group’s ideas together • Lay them out, discuss • Some Example Games: • Grand Theft Auto • The Sims • Command and Conquer • Street Fighter • Centipede • Mario Brothers • Prince of Persia • Halo

26. Break Into Groups • Select a digital game • Write 3 ideas down on paper • Mix your group’s ideas together • Lay them out, discuss • Break down its aesthetics Make sure you have something by 2:30

27. Build a Paper Version

28. Build a Paper Version • What To Do • Communicate the core design

29. Build a Paper Version • What To Do • Communicate the core design • What Not to Do • Don’t sweat the details

30. Build a Paper Version • What To Do • Communicate the core design • What Not to Do • Don’t sweat the details • Don’t try to duplicate the entire game

31. Build a Paper Version • What To Do • Communicate the core design • What Not to Do • Don’t sweat the details • Don’t try to duplicate the entire game • Don’t focus on simulating computer functions (math, AI, etc.)

32. Build a Paper Version Try to have something playable quickly! Iterate!

33. Discussion Let’s share results. • What aesthetics survived the translation? • What didn’t?

34. Using Paper Prototypes

35. Using Paper Prototypes • Good for understanding existing games

36. Using Paper Prototypes • Good for understanding existing games • Use these techniques for games in progress

37. Using Paper Prototypes • Good for understanding existing games • Use these techniques for games in progress • Process is quick and cheap

38. Using Paper Prototypes • Good for understanding existing games • Use these techniques for games in progress • Process is quick and cheap • You don’t need programmers or artists

39. Using Paper Prototypes • Can’t replace actual gameplay testing

40. Using Paper Prototypes • Can’t replace actual gameplay testing • Can give you a head start and keep you focused

41. Using Paper Prototypes • Can’t replace actual gameplay testing • Can give you a head start and keep you focused • Can give you a vocabulary to use when discussing your game

42. Using Paper Prototypes • Can’t replace actual gameplay testing • Can give you a head start and keep you focused • Can give you a vocabulary to use when discussing your game • Can be used as a tool to educate programmers. Have them play, too!