Stone Librande

Lead Designer, Riot Games

Paper Simulations�of�Digital Games

Take a digital game…

…remove the controller…

…remove the controller…

…the sound and music…

…the sound and music…

…and the graphics

…and the graphics

What’s left?

Paper Simulations of Digital Games

• Simulate a video game using only pencils, index cards, markers and dice.
• Use it as a tool to help understand the game’s fundamental design principles.
• Try to capture the emotional experience.
• Don’t focus on the tiny details.

Example Game

• Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater

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Example Game

• Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater

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Asteroids

Asteroids

The Board Game

Warcraft III

The Card Game

Warcraft III

The Card Game

Civilization

Exercise

• Select a digital game- Write it on the post-it note!
• Make a paper simulation
• What aesthetics survive the change in medium?

• Leave your belongings at your assigned seat and stand.
• Name a video game that you have played deeply.
• Find 3-5 like-minded gamers and sit down at a table.
• Share your experiences of the game with your teammates.

Divide into Groups

• Discuss the emotions you feel when playing the game.
• Pick one that you would like to try to capture.
• Write down your choice and put it in the middle of your table.
• Refer to it throughout the exercise.

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Capture Emotions

“When I play this game I feel…”

• Discuss verbs that describe actions the player can take.
• Pick a set that will be a good match for your emotion.
• Write these down and put them near your emotion.

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Capture Actions

“Bounce” “Sell” “Reload” “Hide” “Swap” “Cook” “Capture”

Quick Start:

• Make cards with the actions written on them.
• Discuss how to draw and play those cards in a way that makes the players feel your chosen emotion.
• Is there randomness?
• What choices do I have?
• Are there any restrictions?
• What state changes occur as the game progresses?

Build a Paper Version

Build a Paper Version

Scope:

• Single Idea
• Session
• Full Game
• Metagame

Build a Paper Version

Time Scale:

• Slow
• Real-time
• Fast

What not to do:

• Don’t sweat the details (micro)
• Don’t try to duplicate the whole game (macro)
• Don’t focus on simulating computer functions
• Don’t make a board!

Build a Paper Version

• Cards
• Dice
• Rules

How do we get from…

• Cards
• Dice
• Rules

to emotions?

• Fear
• Camaraderie
• Surprise

How do we get from…

What’s missing?

“Rules”

“Fun”

The causal link…

“Rules”

“Fun”

“Activity”

This is what sets games apart from other forms of entertainment

The MDA Framework

Mechanics

Dynamics

Aesthetics

Mechanics

The concepts and materials that create systems

• Everything you need to play
• Rules describing objects and interactions
• Assembled into higher level systems

Dynamics

The run-time behavior of the game-as-system

• Gameplay
• The system in motion
• Events that occur while playing

Aesthetics

The emotional player experience of the game

• How players feel while playing
• Not only visual or sensory qualities
• Cognitive rather than Behavioral

The Designer/Player relationship

Designer

Player

Mechanics

Aesthetics

Dynamics

Mechanics

Aesthetics

Dynamics

Player

The Player’s perspective

Designer

Mechanics

Aesthetics

Dynamics

The Designer’s perspective

A “taxonomy” of Design Knowledge

• Mechanics
• Dynamics
• Aesthetics

…and the interactions between them.

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MDA Framework

Beta Test Tuesday

Except GD2

In Assigned seat

Today we are doing a Beta Test

• Test your game with other teams
• Select two testers in your group
• Send one to the table to the left…and one to the right
• Teammates that stay will teach the game to others

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Beta Test Tuesday

Discussion

• Did your paper game create the desired feelings?
• What mechanics did you use to create those feelings?
• Did you learn something new about the original game?
• What would you add or change if you had more time?

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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.

Using Paper Prototypes

• Can’t replace actual gameplay testing.
• Can give you a head start and keep you focused.
• Creates a vocabulary to use when discussing your game.
• Can be used as a tool to educate other team members. Have them play, too!