1. Us vs. It

2. Tanks vs. Robot ● Cooperative “Boss Fight” ● Tank players must destroy the Robot before it reaches the city limits. ● Robot is controlled by “AI” rules.

3. The Robot Has 10 Hit Points Actions: – Compute: Place target disc on board – Move: 1 space towards target – Laser Eye: Shoots straight forward – Crush: Attack 5 adjacent spaces Self Destruct: Inflicts blast damage when destroyed.

4. The Tanks ● Have 4 hit points ● Each Turn: ● Shoot, Move, Move, Shoot ● Move: 1 space (not diagonal) ● Shoot: Horizontally or vertically for 1 damage.

5. Demo Game

6. Battle! ● Set up the game board. ● Tanks go first: ● When tank finishes, robot moves: ● Execute steps in order ● Robot stops after step 10 ● Alternate Robot and Tanks until one side wins.

7. Tank Rules Reminder ● Each Turn: ● Shoot, Move, Move, Shoot ● Move: 1 space (not diagonal) ● Can pass through other tanks, but not stop there. ● Shoot: Horizontally or vertically for 1 damage. ● Can shoot over other tanks. Play until 3:10

8. Comments?

9. Your Mission: ● Program the robot to maximize drama. ● What does that mean?

10. Your Mission: ● Program the robot to maximize drama. ● What does that mean? ● Inevitability ● Uncertainty ● Dramatic Arc

11. Programming the Robot You can specify: Laser Damage Fist Damage Target priorities Sequence of Actions Move Push/Block/Push Damage

12. Iterate Towards Drama Fail faster! Try to get in many iterations Play complete games Archive your iterations Work until 4:00

13. 5 Minute Break ● Stretch your legs ● Back here at 4:05

14. Add a new feature ● Attack ● Weapon ● Rule ● Don’t ruin the drama. ● Don’t change the tanks! ● Fail Fast! Have an alpha version by 4:30

15. Beta Test at 4:55 ● Write your beta version down on the submission sheet. ● Make sure your robot has a name!

16. Drama in Us vs. It ● Uncertainty  Behavioral Complexity ● Inevitability: ● March towards Goal ● Decreasing Hitpoints

17. Discussion What other mechanics can create uncertainty?

18. Discussion What other mechanics can create uncertainty? ● Randomness ● Hidden Information ● Skill challenges ● Negative Feedback ● Escalation ● Etc…

19. Discussion What other mechanics can create inevitability?

20. Discussion What other mechanics can create inevitability? ● Time Limit ● Pace monster ● Non-renewable resource ● Non-reversible process

21. Discussion When does the climax occur?

22. Discussion What is the role of the Self Destruct mechanic?

23. The Message ● “Dramatic” does not mean “Scripted” ● Drama emerges from game dynamics ● Inevitability ● Uncertainty ● Building to a climax ● Embedded vs. Emergent Narrative

24. Robot battle! ● Let’s watch some robots fight each other!