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THE GAME-DESIGN FRIENDLY CLASSROOM

By Kathleen Mercury

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GAMING ETIQUETTE

  • In all games, there are proper ways to behave and to show sportsmanship.
  • Behavioral expectations are different at home and at school.
  • Playing board games as part of this class is different than at home; you are to be evaluating the game from a game designer’s perspective as you play.
  • Therefore, there are some expectations I have for you in this class.
  • Hooray.

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BEFORE YOU PLAY

  • Stay quiet when someone else is teaching you how to play the game.
  • Pay attention. Don’t expect to have them reteach you later.
  • Explain the “big picture” first, then fill in the details.
  • Save questions until the teacher asks if players have questions.
  • Likewise, when teaching a game, stop periodically to see if people have questions.

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AS YOU PLAY

  • When it is your turn, play swiftly but take time to think if you need it.
  • When it is not your turn, do not engage in idle chatter.
    • Think about your next turn and what you plan to do.
    • Don’t talk to the player whose turn it is. They get to make whatever decisions they want to make, even if you don’t like their choices.
    • It’s okay to stop a player from making a big mistake that will mean they will lose the game.
    • Keep all noise to a library-like environment. Low talking at most.
    • If you forget something, normally you don’t redo a turn. Remember it for next time.
    • Sometimes giving players one “mulligan” (one redo) is done.

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AS YOU PLAY

  • Be gentle with the game, board, and pieces. These suckers are expensive.
  • Do not gang up a player, individually pick on one player, or engage in “kingmaking” by unfairly helping one player win.
  • When you are done with your turn, say “Done.” Sometimes players don’t always know when you’re done if a turn is complicated.
  • Settle disagreements with a vote or ask me.
  • Remember, always play nice, win nice, and lose nice. You can be happy or upset about an outcome, but don’t be a jerk either way.

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AFTER YOU PLAY

  • Congratulate all other players. You can’t win them all. I know you want to.
  • Help clean up, and make sure that all pieces are put away as they were when you started.
  • Fill out your game evaluations thoughtfully (if required).

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