Paper SimulationsPaper Simulationsofof

Digital GamesDigital Games

Stone LibrandeStone LibrandeLead Designer, Lead Designer, Spore Galactic AdventuresSpore Galactic Adventures

EA/MaxisEA/Maxis

(Please open in PowerPoint and refer to the note field for information about each slide.)

Take a digital game…Take a digital game…

……remove the remove the controller…controller…

……remove the remove the controller…controller…

……the sound and music…the sound and music…

……the sound and music…the sound and music…

……and the graphicsand the graphics

……and the graphicsand the graphics

What’s left?What’s left?

Exercise #2Exercise #2

• Simulate a video game using Simulate a video game using only pencils, index cards and only pencils, index cards and dice.dice.

Exercise #2Exercise #2

• Simulate a video game using Simulate a video game using only pencils, index cards and only pencils, index cards and dice.dice.

• Use it as a tool to help Use it as a tool to help understand the game’s understand the game’s fundamental design principles.fundamental design principles.

Exercise #2Exercise #2

• Simulate a video game using Simulate a video game using only pencils, index cards and only pencils, index cards and dice.dice.

• Use it as a tool to help Use it as a tool to help understand the game’s understand the game’s fundamental design principles.fundamental design principles.

• Don’t sweat the details.Don’t sweat the details.

• Tony Hawk’s Pro SkaterTony Hawk’s Pro Skater

Example GameExample Game

• Tony Hawk’s Pro SkaterTony Hawk’s Pro Skater

Example GameExample Game

• AsteroidsAsteroids

• AsteroidsAsteroids

Warcraft: The Board GameWarcraft: The Board Game

ExerciseExercise

• Select a digital gameSelect a digital game• Make a paper prototypeMake a paper prototype• What aesthetics survive the What aesthetics survive the

change in medium?change in medium?

Break Into GroupsBreak Into Groups

• Select a digital gameSelect a digital game Write 3 ideas down on paperWrite 3 ideas down on paper Mix your group’s ideas togetherMix your group’s ideas together Lay them out, discussLay them out, discuss

Break Into GroupsBreak Into Groups

• Select a digital gameSelect a digital game Write 3 ideas down on paperWrite 3 ideas down on paper Mix your group’s ideas togetherMix your group’s ideas together Lay them out, discussLay them out, discuss

• Some Example Games:Some Example Games: Grand Theft AutoGrand Theft Auto The SimsThe Sims Command and ConquerCommand and Conquer Street FighterStreet Fighter

CentipedeCentipede Mario BrothersMario Brothers Prince of PersiaPrince of Persia HaloHalo

Break Into GroupsBreak Into Groups

• Select a digital gameSelect a digital game Write 3 ideas down on paperWrite 3 ideas down on paper Mix your group’s ideas togetherMix your group’s ideas together Lay them out, discussLay them out, discuss

• Break down its aestheticsBreak down its aestheticsMake sure you have something by Make sure you have something by

2:302:30

Build a Paper VersionBuild a Paper Version

Build a Paper VersionBuild a Paper Version

• What To DoWhat To Do Communicate the core designCommunicate the core design

Build a Paper VersionBuild a Paper Version

• What To DoWhat To Do Communicate the core designCommunicate the core design

• What Not to DoWhat Not to Do Don’t sweat the detailsDon’t sweat the details

Build a Paper VersionBuild a Paper Version

• What To DoWhat To Do Communicate the core designCommunicate the core design

• What Not to DoWhat Not to Do Don’t sweat the detailsDon’t sweat the details

Don’t try to duplicate the entire Don’t try to duplicate the entire gamegame

Build a Paper VersionBuild a Paper Version

• What To DoWhat To Do Communicate the core designCommunicate the core design

• What Not to DoWhat Not to Do Don’t sweat the detailsDon’t sweat the details

Don’t try to duplicate the entire gameDon’t try to duplicate the entire game

Don’t focus on simulating computer Don’t focus on simulating computer functions (math, AI, etc.)functions (math, AI, etc.)

Build a Paper VersionBuild a Paper Version

Try to have something playable Try to have something playable quickly!quickly!

Iterate!Iterate!

DiscussionDiscussion

Let’s share results.Let’s share results.• What aesthetics survived the What aesthetics survived the

translation?translation?

• What didn’t?What didn’t?

Using Paper PrototypesUsing Paper Prototypes

Using Paper PrototypesUsing Paper Prototypes

• Good for understanding existing Good for understanding existing gamesgames

Using Paper PrototypesUsing Paper Prototypes

• Good for understanding existing Good for understanding existing gamesgames

• Use these techniques for games in Use these techniques for games in progressprogress

Using Paper PrototypesUsing Paper Prototypes

• Good for understanding existing Good for understanding existing gamesgames

• Use these techniques for games in Use these techniques for games in progressprogress

• Process is quick and cheapProcess is quick and cheap

Using Paper PrototypesUsing Paper Prototypes

• Good for understanding existing Good for understanding existing gamesgames

• Use these techniques for games in Use these techniques for games in progressprogress

• Process is quick and cheapProcess is quick and cheap

• You don’t need programmers or You don’t need programmers or artistsartists

Using Paper PrototypesUsing Paper Prototypes

• Can’t replace Can’t replace actual gameplayactual gameplay testingtesting

Using Paper PrototypesUsing Paper Prototypes

• Can’t replace Can’t replace actual gameplayactual gameplay testingtesting

• Can give you a head start and keep Can give you a head start and keep you focusedyou focused

Using Paper PrototypesUsing Paper Prototypes

• Can’t replace Can’t replace actual gameplayactual gameplay testingtesting

• Can give you a head start and keep Can give you a head start and keep you focusedyou focused

• Can give you a vocabulary to use Can give you a vocabulary to use when discussing your gamewhen discussing your game

Using Paper PrototypesUsing Paper Prototypes

• Can’t replace Can’t replace actual gameplayactual gameplay testingtesting

• Can give you a head start and keep Can give you a head start and keep you focusedyou focused

• Can give you a vocabulary to use Can give you a vocabulary to use when discussing your gamewhen discussing your game

• Can be used as a tool to educate Can be used as a tool to educate programmers. Have them play, too!programmers. Have them play, too!