Board Game

Gameplay Mechanics

Game mechanics in their simplest form are a set of rules and constraints that are put in place when producing a game or gameplay. All game mechanics use different techniques to keep players engaged into whatever game world they are playing in. Game mechanics are not all supposed to be fun. Most are put in place not to be fun. The process of games design is to ensure that a set of mechanics keep the game running and also to keep the player engaged.

An example of a game mechanic would be the cover system in most 3rd person perspective games. Games such as gears of war and GTA V, have implemented this mechanic as a main part of the game play experience. These games are both AAA titles that use a linear level design, combined with a cover system that allows players to patiently create an effective combat tactics, throughout the level.


This Is The Only Level

This is the only level is a flash game on Armourgames.com
































Mechanics Ideas Generation


We were given two cards with random words written on them. We then had to come up with a tagline, game mechanics and a short overview of what the game would be about, depending on what words we had been given.

Bio mechanic Cheese - The Cheddornator
Tag Line: It aint easy being cheesy

Mechanics: (none needed for this idea)

Overview: A battle veteran cheese has been sent back through time to destroy the worlds dairy supply. After being sent back "Arnold Bachenstiener" (The Cheddernator) looses his memory and starts up a cheese rebellion to defend all the cheese around the world.


Bubble Socks - Bubbles Vs Socks
Tag Line: Purge the unclean, one soap sud at a time.

Mechanics:
-2D side scroller
-Territorial Acquisition
-flag capture
-Player chooses units to send out who will then automatically attack the enemy (swordsman, archers)
-Bubbles special abilities: float, split (make more units from one), weak armour, fast moving
-Socks specials: more health, slow moving, call in air support
-You win if you destroy the enemy base and lose if yours is destroyed

Overview
Socks are dirty and need cleaning. You and your forces must capture all the flags and destroy the enemy base. Work your way through levels and bosses to complete the game.









References:
http://armorgames.com/play/4309/this-is-the-only-level
http://gamestudies.org/0802/articles/sicart

Squares

We were tasked with re-creating the rules for a game called squares. First we had a group discussion about how important the rules are in games. For example, making sure the players are equipped before they play, we were deliberately being super critical. Then we changed some of the group rules with some of our own.


Games - (All important)

1. Goals
2. Voluntary Participation
3. Feedback System
4.Rules!

Squares Rules - Territorial acquisition
1. Min 2 players Max 4
2. You will need, a piece of paper, 1 pen
3. Draw a dotted symmetrical grid
4. Rock paper scissors to decide who goes first
5. Draw 1 line vertically or horizontally to adjacent dot.
6. Player 2 will follow rule 5 placing line anywhere on board.
7. If player completes a 1x1 square, repeat rule 5 and recieve a point
8. 1x1 winner signs box
9. Combine turn based action until board is full
10. Winner is determined by the highest total points

Replace rules

Replace rule 4 - Take in turns according to your names alphabetically.
Replace rule 3 - Draw a 10x10 dotted grid
Replace rule 6 - Continue the game by letting the next player place a line anywhere on the grid.

Contextual Practice

We watched a video documentary called Indie Gamer Movie. It follows the lives of various game developers lives, while they are making games which they intend to sell of either the Xbox live market place, Steam (for pc) or the PlayStation store. The documentary focuses on three games. Fez (Phil Fish) Super Meat Boy (Edmund McMillen, Tommy Refenes) and Braid created by Ryan C. Gordan.

I made some notes about what impression these people gave me after watching them being interviewed about their careers.

Rules for making Indie Games:

-never sleep
-work hard
-make your games personal and meaningful
-earn it

Rules for making AAA games:
-move to America
-do as you are told