Game Design BYU Merit Badge PowWow Official Merit Badge Worksheet Scout s Name: Instructor s Name: Scout s Address: City: State: Zip: Instructions 1) The Scout is to review the merit badge book before the first week of PowWow. 2) Bring this work sheet, paper, and pencil or pen each week. 3) Bring a Merit Badge blue card with you on the second week. Requirement Instructions* 1) Requirements 2 and 3 will be passed off the first week of PowWow. 2) Requirements 1 and 6a should be completed as homework in between the two sessions of PowWow. 3) Requirements 4, 5, 6b, 7, and 8 will be completed and passed off the second week of PowWow. *Due to possible time constraints at the PowWow, certain requirements that were originally planned to be completed in class may need to be completed as homework. Please LISTEN to ALL INSTRUCTIONS in class to be aware of any changes. Requirement 1: a. Analyze four games that you have played, each from a different medium. Game 1: Medium-
What do you dislike about it? Game 2: Medium- What do you dislike about it? Game 3: Medium-
What do you dislike about it? Game 4: Medium- What do you dislike about it? Using the information you wrote above, create a chart to compare and contrast the games. Attach your chart to the back of this worksheet. b. What are four types of play value? Give an example of a game built around each concept. 1. 2. 3. 4. Requirement 2: Define 5 of the following 17 game design terms. For each term that you pick, describe how it relates to a specific game. Thematic game elements: story, setting, characters Gameplay elements: play sequence, level design, interface design Game analysis: difficulty, balance, depth, pace, replay value, age appropriateness Related terms: single-player vs. multiplayer, cooperative vs. competitive, turn-based vs. real-time, strategy vs. reflex vs. chance, abstract vs. thematic
Term 1: Term 2: Term 3: Term 4: Term 5: Requirement 3: Define intellectual property. What are the types of intellectual property associated with the game design industry. How is intellectual property protected? Why is this protection necessary? Define licensed property and give an example. Requirement 4: a. Pick a game where the players can change the rules or objectives (examples: basketball, hearts, chess, kickball). Which game did you choose? What are the standard rules, objectives, and play of the game?
b. Propose changes to several rules or objectives. What changes did you make? How do you think these changes will affect gameplay? c. Play the game with one rule or objective change, observing how the players actions and emotional experiences are affected by the rule change. What differences did you notice? Repeat this process with two other changes. d. How did the changes affect the actions and experience of the players? Where your predictions correct? Requirement 5: Design a new game. Any game medium or combination of mediums is acceptable. Record your work in a game design notebook. a. Write a vision statement for your game. What are: the medium, the player format, the objectives, and the theme of the game? b. Describe the play value. c. Make a preliminary list of the rules of the game below.
d. Draw the game elements. Requirement 6: a. Prototype your game from requirement 5. If applicable, demonstrate to your counselor that you have addressed player safety through the rules and equipment. b. Test your prototype with as many other people as you need to meet the player format. Compare the play experience to your descriptions from requirement 5b. Correct unclear rules, holes in the rules, dead ends, and obvious rule exploits. Change at least one rule, mechanic, or objective from your first version of the game. What change did you make? Why did you make this change? Play the game again. Record whether or not your change had the expected effect. Requirement 7: Blind test your game by doing the following: a. Write an instruction sheet that includes all of the information needed to play the game. Clearly describe how to set up the game, play the game, and end the game. List the game objectives. Attach this sheet to your packet. b. Share your prototype from requirement 6 with a group of players that has not played it or witnessed a previous playtest. Provide them with your instruction sheet(s) and any physical components. Watch them play the game, but do not provide them with instruction. What did they think of your game? Did they like it? Was it easy to play? c. Share your game design notebook with your counselor. Discuss the player reactions to your project and what you learned about eh game design process.
Based on your testing, what did you like most about your game? If you were to make more changes, what would they be? Requirement 8: Do the following. a. List three career opportunities in game development. 1. 2. 3. Pick one and find out about the education, training, and experience required for the profession. Record your findings below.