Game Design Journal

Sideblog. CP2412 (March 2017). James Cook University Singapore.

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Workshop Activity: WinterComing

16 May 2017 Changelog

Resource [R] tokens are yellow. Troop [T] tokens are red. Civilian [C] tokens are blue. T/C tokens are interchangeable: 1 colour and corresponding alphabet on each side.

Negation Action cards: Goddess system (× 6) [These action cards can be used to reduce the effects of Event cards, or played in the Action card phase for benefits.]

Goddess of Agriculture (× 4) Reduce the effects of Famine by half. OR Gain 5 R tokens. [COST: Sacrifice 2 T/C tokens.]

Goddess of Justice (× 2) Reduce the effects of Defection by half. OR Gain 5 T tokens. [COST: Sacrifice 5 R tokens.]

After the merger ends, the players will return to their original boundaries.

Keeping track of territories: The Game Moderator will maintain a list of territories gained or lost by each of the player. 

There will be a total of 90 Action cards and 40 Event cards.

[gamedesign-elainelow]

Game Analysis #5: WinterComing

WinterComing (working title) is a game combining Risk and Monopoly. The players will need to govern their lands, people and resources, while trying to expand their territory and survive the harsh, unforgiving world.

Action:

The players will be able to turn the flap to progress onto the next step, which might affect the current conditions on the map. On the map, the players will be able to arrange the map pieces during setup, move tokens around and flip tokens. Outside of the board, the players can engage in conversation, and conduct trading of tokens and cards.

Gameplay:

The game is ideally played with 4 players and 1 non-participating game moderator, but can accommodate more players if necessary.  The setup would include all players finding their desired step on the outer ring, then choosing their terrains/kingdoms (map pieces). Each player then receives a set amount of resource (yellow), troop (red-sided) and civilian (blue-sided) tokens.  Throughout the game, the player will earn and lose tokens (Resource Management), based on Board Events (present on certain steps of the outer ring) (Lottery), the Event cards played in every turn, and from Action cards played by the player or inflicted on by other players (Sabotage). There will also be combat between the troop tokens, where success is determined solely by number strength.  The game moderator will facilitate the smooth running of the game by providing engaging narrative, reminding players of the rules and keeping count of details (played Action cards, conquered territories). The game ends when there is only 1 remaining player left on the board (Elimination) or all players have finished 31 turns. The winner would be the remaining player (by default) or the player with the largest amount of conquered territories (Territorial Acquisition).

Experience:

[gamedesign-elainelow]

Workshop Activity: Puzzle

Game Contents:

20 pairs of cards

Tomato

Carrot

Apple

Orange

Banana

Shirt

Pants

Flower

Sun

Face

4 power-ups

Shuffle All Cards × 2

Switch Two Cards 

See Two Cards

Rules:

Shuffle cards evenly.

Place cards face-down in a 6 × 4 grid.

Each player will take turns to open two cards per turn in order to find a pair. If the cards opened were not a pair, the cards will be returned face-down.

If a pair is found, the player will be allowed to shift one card in the grid, provided if there is space.

If the player finds a power-up, the power-up is effective immediately. The power-up is then removed from the grid (hence creating space for movement of the cards).

When all the cards are found, cards of the same theme* must be shifted to form a vertical alignment**. Each player will only be allowed to shift one card per turn. 

The first player to form a line of cards with the same theme will be the winner.

*Same theme: Cards with pictures belonging to the same group, e.g. carrots + tomatoes = vegetables  The face cards can be paired with any cards to form a vertical alignment.

**Vertical alignment: In the grid, there will be 6 columns of 4. A vertical alignment would be a pair of cards, followed by another pair of cards vertically in the column. 

[gamedesign-elainelow]

Workshop Activity: 5 Room Dungeon

PDF document of 5 Room Dungeon here.

Theme: 

Medieval (can be customised for other themes)

Recommended players: 

2-3 players

Player Background:

Travelling adventurers

Belong to adventuring guild in a neighbouring kingdom

Not native to Elnea (the location that the adventure will take place in)

Quest details (as detailed on quest board):

Requester:  King Harris of Elnea

Description: Slay the dragon residing in a hidden cave in Mount Thohan

Reward: 

All salvageable remains of the beast.

All loot hoarded by the beast.

10,000 gold per player

Elnea’s Honor*

*Prestige title. Earning this title will give you unhindered access to the kingdom, as well as the unquestioning protection of the kingdom in times of need.

Locations:

Elnea: A peaceful kingdom, shadowed by the towering peaks of Mount Thohan and its passes in the distance.

Crown city of Elnea: A bustling city where players are allowed to purchase supplies when available.

Mount Thohan: A perilous mountain range, made even more dangerous by the presence of a dragon. It lies just beyond the outskirts of the Gleaming Forest, to the south of the kingdom. (Takes 4-5 days of travel)

Thohan Village: A small village at the foot of the mountain. Life is harsh and unforgiving, as land is scarce and resources are spread thin amongst the villagers. The architecture in the village seems to be teeming with dragon motifs, as in the dragon was held in high regard. 

Gleaming Forest: A forest notorious for its Robin Hood-esque bandits, as well as its confusing terrain which leaves even seasoned travellers walking in circles. 

Elves Stronghold: The former rulers of the Gleaming Forest, the Elves were forced to retreat to this small, secluded area to escape the wrath of Elnea. 

Room One:

Arrival in Elnea.

Townsfolk are friendly and helpful when players ask for directions. Players will make a friend, Kaleem.

Kaleem: A young, aspiring tanner producing high-quality leather hides for the royal guards.

Players will follow Kaleem into the crown city if they help him with his deliveries to the barracks in the main castle. (Takes 2-3 days of travel)

People residing in the city are friendly as well, if not a bit snobbish. The kingdom does not feel like a kingdom under the oppression of a malevolent dragon.

When questioned about the dragon, Kaleem confirms that there is a dragon living in Mount Thohan, as its roars can be heard every fortnight.

Cue dragon roar in the far distance, sounding similarly to a thunderclap. 

Kaleem does not remember any dragon attacks on the kingdom for as long as he has lived.

Arrives in court to meet the King.

King Harris: A middle-aged benevolent ruler managing the lands of Elnea, and of his physique as well. It was rare to see a ruler who was not portly.

Informs King Harris about the decision to undertake the quest. The King is strangely ecstatic and enthusiastic at the news, and urges the players to stay at the castle to prepare for their journey to Mount Thohan. 

The players are allowed to roam the castle and interview the staff or ministers, or head into the city.

Staff and ministers are snobbish and difficult to approach for information.

When heading into the city, news have broke out that the players are the team who has undertaken the quest. City folk would be uncooperative after hearing the news, and some would try to dissuade the players from the quest, but refusing to tell them of the reason why.

Players are unable to gather any supplies.

Return to the castle.

King Harris, when questioned, would explain about the quest.

Dragon has been in the mountains for centuries, and was rampant in its pillaging. 

Elnea has been at constant war with the dragon, until when the King’s son, Prince Cass, a learned mage, went to battle and sacrificed himself to seal the dragon in the mountains.

The seal is ending soon, and the King wishes to destroy the dragon before the kingdom is placed into peril again.

The King seems to be unaware of his people’s disagreement with his plan.

King Harris will then supply the players the supplies they have requested, and send them on their way into the Gleaming Forest.

Room Two:

Monster Encounter

Bandits 

3 Rouges + 1 Mage + 1 Cleric

All of them carry some form of dragon insignia.

Players will assume their intention is to steal equipment and money.

In the case that they are successfully defeated, they will flee the area. 

Their hideout can be tracked and looted. Upon looting, in additional to gold and equipment, disjointed pieces of information can be found regarding a “mission”.

Guardian Encounter

Cat

In the case of the players being unable to defeat the bandits, the Cat will appear, seemingly from thin air, and intervene the battle by performing a spell from a magic crystal hanging from its neck. 

In the case of the bandits being defeated, it will appear in the hideout.

It suggests that the players seek rest and shelter with its friends by heading towards the west. 

If players decide not to follow, the DM decides if they continue on to Room Three or arrive at the next area in any case.

Hostile Encounter

Upon entering Elves Stronghold, the players were stopped by hostile elves who were threatening to shoot them where they stand.

Elves

Players will perform a Charisma check.

If successful, they will be able to negotiate with the Elves for safe passage and shelter, by mentioning their allegiance with the Cat.

If the check fails, the players will engage in combat with the Elves. The Cat will intervene as before with the Bandits.

The Cat  will appear once more, convincing the Elves that the players are friendly and not natives from Elnea. 

The players are allowed to replenish their supplies and converse with the Elves.

If asked about their history and animosity with Elnea, the Elves will reveal that they were forced to retreat to this small section of the Forest after some very aggressive expansion campaigns by the King, when they were originally in control of the entire Forest.

If the players restock on weapons, they will meet and befriend the young apprentice Vamir. 

Vamir is a Ranger and is interested in joining the party to join the adventure. 

Players will be able to convince him to join their party.

The Elves then lead them out of the Forest, towards Mount Thohan.

Room Three:

At the foot of Mount Thohan, players will arrive at Thohan Village, located at the foot of the mountain.

Locals are hostile and unfriendly, and soon capture the players. Players will perform a Charisma check.

If successful, the players will be able to negotiate for their safety, and the Cat will intervene (again), transforming into Prince Cass.  BEGIN TRUTH BRANCH.

If failed or choosing battle, the players will flee the village (no matter if the villagers were defeated or not) and head straight for the next room. BEGIN LIES BRANCH.

[TRUTH BRANCH] The Prince then explains to the players about the truth behind the quest.

The Elves and the dragon was originally living in peace with Elnea. 

The Elves were trading and business partners with the citizens of Elnea.

The dragon created mining tunnels in the mountain, enabling Elnea to grow in strength and wealth.

However, King Harris  became greedy for dominion over the two parties. He expanded into the Gleaming Forest, and was intent on destroying the Elves if not for the intervention by the skilled warriors from Thohan Village. 

The Prince was sent on the quest to kill the dragon, but he discovered the King’s true intentions along the way. He decided to remain in the Village to muster strength and overthrow the King.

Room Four:

[LIES BRANCH]

The players begin their ardous journey up Mount Thohan and into the cave.

The players then engage in battle with the dragon, who was oddly sentient. 

Upon defeating the dragon, the players are allowed to loot the dragon’s cave. 

It was rather barren, barring the equipment, weapons and gold left behind by previous adventurers.

Further exploration of the mountain reveals several disused mining tunnels, with diamonds and jewels that can be mined.

After making their way down the mountain, the players will need to perform a Stealth Check.

If the check was successful, the players are able to sneak undetected past the village and escape back to Elnea.

If the check failed, the players will engage in battle with the Bandits from the second room, only now they declare themselves as the Warriors of Thohan, seeking revenge for the dragon. The enemies must be defeated before the players are allowed to return to Elnea.

[TRUTH BRANCH]

The Prince leads the players up Mount Thohan via a safe route.

The dragon is friendly, and offers the equipment and gold of the previously fallen adventurers. 

If requested, the dragon is also able to lead the players to the mining tunnels to obtain diamonds and jewels.

The players and the Prince will try to convince the dragon to join them in their cause, but the dragon refuses to cause harm to the innocents.

The Prince the joins the player’s party, and returns to Elnea.

Room Five:

[LIES BRANCH]

The King heartily welcomes the players back into Elnea and gives the players their rewards as previously agreed.

The next day, a compulsory conscription of all young, healthy males is ruled (including Kaleem) as the King prepares for war with the Elves and Thohan Village, to expand Elnea.

[TRUTH BRANCH]

The party reunites with Kaleem, whom they will convince to aid their cause.

The party must now sneak past the barracks and the guards in order to assassinate the King. Perform a Stealth check.

If successful, they manage to sneak past the bulk of the guards with Kaleem’s help, silence the guards posted at the King’s chambers and confront the King.

If the check failed, Kaleem dies, and the Prince will be forced to reveal his identity to the royal guards in the barracks. The group will then have to battle the Captain of the Royal Guards in order to progress to the King’s chambers.

The party then battles the King as the boss battle.

After the King has been successfully overthrown, the players gain the rewards as previously agreed with the King, as well as added Charisma, Intelligence and Wisdom.

[gamedesign-elainelow]

Game Analysis #4: Microlite20 Purest Essence

Microlite20 (M20) Purest Essence is a trimmed-down, subminiature version of the Primary Fantasy SRD rules. It is a simpler game than the original, but contains all the resources of Primary Fantasy SRD (monsters, spells, adventures and equipment) that can be used without conversion.

Action:

The player is able to create their character, from name to appearance to character statistics based on their race and job class, in a character sheet. In the game, the player would be able to buy equipment, weapons and armour for the character, battle enemies and solve puzzles as the game moderator, the Dungeon Master, narrates the story.

Gameplay:

The game can be played with only one player or more, with a game moderator to control player progression and narrate the adventure. In M20, each player will create their own character by utilising a character sheet, filling in details about the character’s appearance, race, job class and accompanying statistics and skills. Throughout the adventure, the character can earn experience points (and level up) via various actions, obtain or buy items and weapons, earn gold, as well as combat enemies. Certain actions will require skill checks (by rolling the appointed dice), and combat outcomes depends on the character’s statistics, weapon used, success and damage checks by rolling the appointed dice. Through various challenges in the adventure, the game encourages role-playing, story-telling (for the game moderator) and survival, which leads to gaining a sense of achievement and induces blissful productivity, as well as epic meaning. Moreover, when the players are engaged in the adventure, the players experience the joy of a communal discovery as they explore the lands and solve puzzles and challenges together. 

Experience:

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Workshop Activity: Improved Battle for Moscow

Improved Battle for Moscow here.

Features:

A self-designed map.

New elements are added to the terrain.

New + Improved mechanics regarding player actions and troop movement.

Increased number of turns and added more special conditions

Introduced the resources concept and peasant/troop concept. 

Added symbols:

Heart (♡):  The heartland of the terrain. If the heart is conquered, the player who owns the heart originally will lose the game immediately.

Cross (✕): Free terrain that can be conquered. 

Flag (⚐): The “heart” of the free terrain that must be conquered before the land can be used to hold peasants/troops. In order to maintain control, the flag must be continuously occupied by a troop token. Only then can peasant tokens be able to be moved into the terrain.  

Waves (≈): The sea. Troops cannot traverse across unless they begin the journey across the sea from a port. Peasants cannot travel the seas.

Boat ( ⛵ ): Port. Used by troops to traverse the sea. A maximum of 2 troops can leave a port to go onto the sea. Can be built with 20 resources.

Spikes (/\⁄\): Mountain. Impenetrable and non-traversal. 1 hex of mountain can be removed with 50 resources.

New rules:

Each player will first choose a terrain to begin in. There are four terrains of various land sizes. 

Each player begins with 5 peasant tokens. Each peasant/troop token occupies 1 hex, while the player’s token will occupy the heart of the terrain.

There are 12 turns, but there will be no limit to the number of turns that the players can play.

The final winner to be able to conquer the most land wins.

Gameplay sequence:

Earn resources (as per number of peasants owned)

Move player token as per rolled 1D6.

Actions (Build a Port/Destroy a Mountain/Turn 1 peasant into troop at 1 resource per peasant).

Move troops as per 1D8. 

Combat phase.

Earn 1 peasant.

Troop movement:

First movement of troops must be led by the player token.

Subsequently, troops can be moved without the player token, but it has to go through a Messenger check: roll a 1D6, all odd numbers are considered failures while even numbers are a success. The troops can only be moved if it is a success. 

However, if troops were continuously led by the player token, there will be no need for a success check.

Combat rules:

Follows the combat rules as stated in Battle for Moscow, against the same structured chart of results.

The player token counts as 3 troop strength, while each troop token count as 1 strength. 

Special effects on turns:

Turn 5: Drowning (D) This is similar to Mud conditions in Battle for Moscow. All troop movements are reduced to 1 hex. Lasts 1 turn.

Turn 7: Autumn (A) The player earns double the number of resources. Lasts 1 turn.

Turn 10: Winter (W) All troop and player token movements are reduced to 1 hex, and combat strength (based on troop strength) is halved when attacking. The attacker's losses in an exchange are based on actual strength, not halved strength. 

Discussion:

Only the minimum of rules from Battle for Moscow is retained, to simplify the game and made it easier to pick up.

By adding the Messenger check, we added another layer of realism to the game and limits the freedom the player has when moving troops, posing a challenge to the player. 

In addition to managing troops, resources were added to the game to allow more freedom for the player’s actions (choosing to destroy a mountain or to build a port).

More special effects were added to the turns, in order to make the game less repetitive, since the game’s playtime is lengthened by not limiting the number of turns to a set number. 

[gamedesign-elainelow]

Game Analysis #3: Battle for Moscow

Battle for Moscow (BoM) is a territorial acquisition game that referenced Operation Typhoon conducted by Germany during September 1941 to conquer Moscow and destroy the Red Army. 

Action:

The player is able to move troops, according to the movement allowance of the troops, at certain phases of the turn. The player is also able to attack adjacent enemy troops during the combat phase of the turn. The ratio of the troop strength against the targeted troops, as well as a 1D6, is used to determine the success of the combat (against a structured chart of combat results).

Gameplay:

The game is played by two players, each controlling either German corps or the Russian army. The final player to occupy Moscow would be the winner (Territorial Acquisition). Each turn is divided into two parts, the first would be the German corps’ and the second would be the Russian army’s. Each part is further divided into 4 phases, of which the German’s would be as follows: Replacement, Panzer Movement, Combat, Movement; and the Russian’s would be as follows: Replacement, Rail Movement, Combat, Movement. There is a total of 7 turns, of which the 3rd and 4th turn would have special effects affecting the gameplay (Mud conditions lasting these two turns, and introduction of 1st Shock troops in the Russian army). In addition, terrain effects (trenches, forests, rivers) will affect movement and combat outcomes, which encourages avoidance, prediction and possibly sabotage. 

Experience:

Discussion:

After two rounds of playtesting, we have realised that the game is quite unbalanced. German corps are able to corner the Russian army in Moscow too quickly, and the Russian army is usually forced to defend instead of actively attack to drive the German corps. 

To improve, we have the following suggestions:

Allow German corps to be able to utilise the railway system to travel to cities that have been occupied.

Insert snow conditions on certain turns that will handicap German corps more than the Russian army.

Increase the number of 1st Shock Army troops in the Russian Army. 

Add another winning condition: in addition to occupying Moscow, the opponent army must also be completely eliminated.

Remove the fixed number of turns.

Provide certain cities with benefits that can be applied to the occupying force, eg. a city may supply additional troops to the occupying force.  

[gamedesign-elainelow]

Workshop Activity: Improved Senet

Improved Senet here.

Features:

New mechanics and special squares are added to the original board game.

All 30 squares are utilised. Pawns start at Square 1 initially.

Each player will only control 1 pawn...

...hence allowing more than 2 players to be able to join the game (recommended number: 2-4)

Each player will first choose which colour they belong to: black or white. The game begins with the 6-sided dice. The player who rolls the largest number on the dice will start, following by the other numbers in succession.

For every square of their colour that the player steps in, they will be able to earn 1 buck. Bucks are used to pay the cost at certain special squares in order to proceed without having to fulfil the conditions. Squares which may be paid to pass will have an additional number (the cost) in a circle.

When a pawn has reached a square already occupied by another pawn, the two pawns will have to exchange positions. The latter pawn will have to pay the former pawn 1 buck in compensation. 

Added symbols:

** BIRB will refer to the same symbol as in Square 26, the House of Happiness. All pawns will finish their moves on this square, even if they have rolled to move past it, unless the cost (4 bucks) is paid. ** WATUR will refer to the same symbol as in Square 27, the House of Water. Any pawn finishing a move on this square will be moved automatically to Square 15, the House of Rebirth, unless the cost (6 bucks) is paid. ** EYE will refer to the same symbol as in Square 29, the House of Re-Atoum. A pawn landing here may only proceed forward if a two is thrown.

BACK  Once a pawn has landed here, all players will have to move backwards on their next turn, unless the cost (4 bucks) is paid.

Triangle symbol Once a pawn has landed here, the 4-sided dice will be used for the rest of the turns until there is another dice change.

Square symbol Once a pawn has landed here, the 6-sided dice will be used for the rest of the turns until there is another dice change.

Pentagon symbol (Description on paper unfinished) Once a pawn has landed here, the 8-sided dice will be used for the rest of the turns until there is another dice change.

Interlocking squares symbol Once a pawn has landed here, the pawn may not proceed until the same number is rolled twice, or the cost (5 bucks) is paid.

The first player to move past Square 30 will be the winner.

The game is estimated to last around 20-40 mins with 4 players. 

Discussion:

Most of the original rules of the board game were retained, as we felt that we were able to work with the existing mechanics and add upon them in order to create a more intriguing experience, with less repetition.

By applying a monetary system to the chequerboard squares, we gave meaning to the different colours of the squares.

The additional special squares were placed strategically to hinder players, such as Square 8 and Square 12: players landing on Square 8 will have to roll a three (House of the Three Truths) in order to progress, which will force them to land on Square 12, reverting the dice back to the 6-sided dice. Several rounds of playtesting have been conducted to conclude that these strategic placements will cause annoyance and frustration in players, but players would be more driven to progress the board and succeed after watching the other players progress.  

[gamedesign-elainelow]

Game Analysis #2: Senet

Senet (or Senat) is a board game from ancient Egypt, and can be dated back to around 3100 BC. The full name of the game was thought to be “the game of passing”, and was one of the oldest known board games. 

Action:

The board was made of 30 squares, lined in three rows of 10. Following the rules as proposed by historian Timothy Kendall, each player will have a set of 7 pawns, placed on alternate squares along the first 14 squares. The starting square, the House of Rebirth, is counted as the 15th, with the ankh marking the square. The pawns move in one direction along the squares, according to the throw of four sticks: 1 move for each unpainted/unmarked side, and 5 moves if all four painted/marked sides were present. When a pawn reaches a square already occupied by another pawn, the two pawn must exchange their positions. There are 4 special squares in addition to the starting square:

Square 26 (right below the ankh): House of Happiness All pawns must end their moves here, even if they have rolled enough to pass it.

Square 27: House of Water Any pawn ending a move on this square will have to return to the starting square.

Square 28: House of the Three Truths Any pawn ending a move on this square may only leave when 3 moves are thrown. 

Square 29: House of the Re-Atoum Any pawn ending a move on this square may only leave when 2 moves are thrown.

The winner will be the player who moves all of their pawns off the board, past square 30. 

Gameplay:

The main aim of the game would be to race-to-the-end, by clearing all the pawns off the board before the opponent does. The pawn-switching mechanic, as well as the 4 special squares also encourage some level of prediction from the players, to better manage their pawns (some form of resource management) and make the best moves to advance, yet hinder the opponent at the same time (sabotage).

Experience:

[gamedesign-elainelow]

Game Analysis #1: Paperboy

Paperboy by Atari Games (1984)

Paperboy is an arcade game that revolves around a paperboy who delivers newspapers along a street. The game was noted for its unusual theme, extending to the bike handlebars on the machine as controllers. 

Action:

The player is allowed to move left and right, as well as accelerate and brake. There is also a control to “shoot” newspapers at the houses and certain NPCs along the street.

Gameplay:

The main aim of the game is to deliver newspapers to the doorsteps or mailboxes of subscribed houses as fast as possible (race-to-the-end), which will be brightly coloured along the street for easy identification, while avoiding obstacles. The secondary aim of the game is to earn extra points by vandalising non-subscribed houses.    

The movement controls are mainly used to avoid obstacles (Avoidance) along the street, such as object hindrances (fire hydrants, lamp posts, mini-tornadoes), crossing road intersections while avoiding cars, or breakdancing or fighting NPCs. Running into obstacles will cause paperboy to lose a life. However, some obstacles, namely the dancing or brawling NPCs, can be hit with a newspaper to earn extra points. Similarly, non-subscribed houses can be vandalised with newspapers aimed at their windows or trashcans. However, the player will be penalised if the paper was delivered to the non-subscribed houses or subscribed houses were vandalised.

Experience: