Paper Simulations of Digital 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.)

Take a digital game…

…remove the controller…

…the sound and music…

…and the graphics

What’s left?

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

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

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

Tony Hawk’s Pro SkaterTony Hawk’s Pro Skater Example Game

Tony Hawk’s Pro SkaterTony Hawk’s Pro Skater Example Game

AsteroidsAsteroids

Warcraft: The Board Game

Exercise Select a digital gameSelect a digital game Make a paper prototypeMake a paper prototype What aesthetics survive the change in medium?What aesthetics survive the change in medium?

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

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

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

Build a Paper Version

What To DoWhat To Do  Communicate the core design

Build a Paper Version What To DoWhat To Do  Communicate the core design What Not to DoWhat Not to Do  Don’t sweat the details

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

Build a Paper Version What To DoWhat To Do  Communicate the core design What Not to DoWhat 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.)

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

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

Using Paper Prototypes

Good for understanding existing gamesGood for understanding existing games

Using Paper Prototypes Good for understanding existing gamesGood for understanding existing games Use these techniques for games in progressUse these techniques for games in progress

Using Paper Prototypes Good for understanding existing gamesGood for understanding existing games Use these techniques for games in progressUse these techniques for games in progress Process is quick and cheapProcess is quick and cheap

Using Paper Prototypes Good for understanding existing gamesGood for understanding existing games Use these techniques for games in progressUse these techniques for games in progress Process is quick and cheapProcess is quick and cheap You don’t need programmers or artistsYou don’t need programmers or artists

Using Paper Prototypes Can’t replace actual gameplay testingCan’t replace actual gameplay testing

Using Paper Prototypes Can’t replace actual gameplay testingCan’t replace actual gameplay testing Can give you a head start and keep you focusedCan give you a head start and keep you focused

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

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