Game Design Evaluation (2023)
This year's term-paper is a practical project evaluating a boardgame in order to create a digital version and/or improve its digital version. I'd really like the student projects to focus on a recent indie (independent) game, rather than a recent mainstream game.
A design evaluation of an indie boardgame released at Spiel 21, Spiel 22 or Spiel 23 e.g. see the Spiel website or scanned programme guide. SPIEL ESSEN - https://www.spiel-essen.de/en/
Spiel - Guide, Essen 2021 (link to scanned copy)
Spiel - Guide, Essen 2022 (link to scanned copy)
Some tips below:
You can think of a design evaluation as a document that describes and encapsulates the whole product. For a game you would describe, analyse, test, evaluate and relate the product's artistic, project, technical, and commercial elements. Create a story that people such as the designer, investor and publisher, would benefit from learning what you learnt about the product. It could be a useful input for a journalist to use in preparation for writing a product review. Content and structure may include any/all of the following...
Pitch warm-up
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In a sentence “It’s like…”
Single player, multiplayer, puzzle, builder, collaborative, cooperative, competitive, open-world, sandbox etc?
Family/Adult, player age, number of players, time to play. Casual vs campaigning etc.
Background research
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Inspiration?
Genre?
Related titles in this genre?
Published influences, related and similar titles (even, if you look for it, references in the game literature!!!!)
Design structural elements
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Game design elements? Gamifications?
Outcomes? Win/lose? Display/sharing?
The application of emotion principles?
The application of the uncertainty principles?
Narrative backdrop constructed by the design
Narrative potential constructed by the players
Complexity, scope? Too much, too little?
Developer perspective
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Paper prototype or mockups?
Any playtest feedback?
Comment on ease to ‘onboard’ new players? Simple version, complex version. House rules.
Identified ideal player types, market segment? Appeals to who?
Market perspective
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Potential to adapt or expand, levels, extent, add-ons, expansions? Is it a platform.
Market size of equivalent or similar titles?
Route to market? (publisher, self-publish, kickstarter, crowdfund)
Packaging/presentation? (box, components, online, platforms) look and feel.
Countries/languages? Cultural fit. Suggest markets.
Product Production: Value, costs, price, effort
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Price-point/Pricing? Cost to design/develop?
Cost to service/operate?
IP or licensing questions?
Potential to rebrand or repurpose the ‘engine’ to another genre?
