Game Analysis and Design
Calendar
This is a tentative schedule that may be changed based on the needs of the students, the needs of the instructor, or any unforeseen events that may occur during the semester.
Week 1: Labor Day (no class)
Notice there are tasks to complete for next week!
Week 2: Mechanisms
Due today
#. Watch
Extra Credits: A case for boardgames
#. Complete the
Gamer survey
Readings (choose three)
- *Art of Game Design*, Ch 1 - In the beginning, there is the designer
- *Art of Game Design*, Ch 3 - The experience rises out of a game
- *A Theory of Fun*, Ch 3 - What games are
- [Wierd Giraffe Games: Starting points](https://www.weirdgiraffegames.com/carla/wordpress/2022/07/28/guest-post-starting-points/)
- [Magic the Gathering: Ten things every game needs](https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/making-magic/ten-things-every-game-needs-part-1-part-2-2011-12-19)
- [Kobold Book of Game Design Project: Design intuitively](https://wikis.nyu.edu/download/attachments/100633782/Kobold_Book_Design_Intuitively.pdf?version=1&modificationDate=1568386779358&api=v2)
- [Shut Up & Sit Down: A feast of friends! (video)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ixxm1KXXH8)
- [Vsauce: Why do we play games? (video)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5jDspIC4hY)
- [Weird Giraffe Games: Things you wished you knew when you started designing](https://www.weirdgiraffegames.com/carla/wordpress/2021/03/29/guest-post-things-you-wished-you-knew-when-you-started-designing/)
- [The Games Journal: What is a game?](https://web.archive.org/web/20220727155051/http://www.thegamesjournal.com/articles/WhatIsaGame.shtml)
#.
Writing assignment
#. (optional) Try
Game definitions, hit refresh a few times
Class overview [📋](https://www.icloud.com/keynote/0ZZlitC-GB7OynbsI8ISLYrMA#1._Introductions)
#.
syllabus scavenger hunt
#. what is a game?
#. The goal of a game is to win, but it is the goal that is important, not the winning." –Knizia
#. win gracefully, lose gracefully, take notes
#. aesthetics/theme vs. mechanics
-
Loco!
-
Diamant
-
Botswana
-
Incan Gold
-
Thor
#. discussion question (readings)
Week 3: Psychology of games (fun survey)
Due today
#.
Readings (required)
- [MDA: A formal approach to game design and game research (Hunicke et al.)](https://users.cs.northwestern.edu/~hunicke/MDA.pdf)
Readings (choose two)
- [Ludology: Thinking beyond mechanisms, ep 6 (audio)](https://ludology.libsyn.com/thinking-beyond-mechanisms-ep-6)
- [@BreakMyGameG: Favorite playtesting questions](https://twitter.com/BreakMyGameG/status/1567541343714512897)
- [WIRED by Design: A game designer explains the counterintuitive secret to fun (video)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78rPt0RsosQ)
- [Magic the Gathering: Twenty years, twenty lessons learned](https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/making-magic/twenty-years-twenty-lessons-part-1-2016-05-30)
- [Game Developer: Gamification - Framing the question](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/gamification-framing-the-discussion)
- Game Developer: Cognitive Flow - The psychology of great game design
- [Games Precipice: What motivates us to play games?](https://www.gamesprecipice.com/what-motivates-us/)
- [Pulsipher Game Design Project: Why we play games](https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/1749/why-we-play-games)
- [League of Gamemakers: The right type of fun for your game](https://www.leagueofgamemakers.com/the-right-type-of-fun-for-your-game/)
- [3DTotal Games: Motivations for gaming](https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/59191/motivations-gaming)
- [Creaking Shelves: Can games be bad?](https://www.creakingshelves.com/can-games-be-bad/)
- [Quantric Foundry: The primary motivations of board gamers, 7 takeaways ](https://quanticfoundry.com/2017/04/27/board-gaming-motivations/)
- [Sid Meier's psychology of Game Design Project: Everything you know is wrong (video)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY7aRJE-oOY)
- [Gaming with Edo: Game mechanics or rules that ruin board game! (video)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qvG2bJ-BwA)
- [Gaming Indoors: How to capture the game mechanics of any game! (video)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz0v3A-M2mA)
- [GameTek: Colonoscopies and board games, the peak-end rule](https://gametek.substack.com/p/colonoscopies-and-board-games?publication_id=1271680&isFreemail=true)
- [The Games Journal: What makes a game good?](https://web.archive.org/web/20161106104402/http://www.thegamesjournal.com/articles/WhatMakesaGame.shtml)
#.
Writing assignment
#. Plan 1-2 questions to analyze "Fun" in board games, the word "fun" is not allowed
Class overview [📋](https://www.icloud.com/keynote/0Fa0FEbfVQeatIpN_UP1OrgFw#2._Fun_survey)
#. discussion question (readings)
#. develop Fun Survey to analyze games
- cannot use "fun"
- identify "good" questions
- use previous survey to add/subtract questions
- compare questions and consolidate
#. how to teach
Carcassonne (online:
BGA-premium)
#. modify Fun Survey?
#. minimum viable product?
Week ???: Print and play (PNP) prototyping
Due today
#.
Readings (choose three)
- *Art of Game Design*, Eight tips for productive prototyping (p. 86-90)
- [Stop reading this and design your own game (Herkewitz)](http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/toys/stop-reading-this-and-go-build-your-own-board-game-17314604)
- [Prototype priorities (Major)](http://www.leagueofgamemakers.com/graphic-design-prototyping-priorities)
- [Jamaica: a pirate-themed tactical race game with player interaction and side goals (Pauchon)](http://www.analoggames.com/story/jamaica-a-pirate-themed-tactical-race-game-with-player-interaction-and-side-goals-sebastien-pauchon-gameworks-tabletop)
- [Step 1: Create a prototype quickly (Slack)](https://boardgamedesigncourse.com/step-1-create-a-prototype-quickly/)
- [Wingspan - board game breakdown (Elizabeth Hargrave & Candice Harris)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3a_8JL1pkA&feature=youtu.be)
- [The "make it" design method (Hitt, 2020)](https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2708708/make-it-design-method)
- The Leap From Imaginative to Creative. Making a Prototype (Loot Bag Games)
#.
Writing assignment
#. Prepare a "print and play game" (make components, learn game, practice playing). Game must be different from other group members and ~30 minutes long. Be prepared to teach fellow students. Possible sources:
-
PNPArcade's Prototype Zone
-
PNPArcades' free games
-
Jellybean print-and-play
-
JackD free games
-
Asmodee Print & Play (requires free account)
#. (Optional) Bring craft supplies like paper, scissors, markers, crayons, etc. just in case they are needed
Class overview [📋]()
#. test PNP games
#. test Fun survey
#. modifications to Fun Survey?
#. (if time) modifications to PNP?
#. fail faster (with Hans Kishel?)
#. discussion question (how to build PNP easier/faster?)
Week 4: Prepare to playtest roll-and-writes
Due today
#.
Readings (choose three)
- *Art of Game Design*, Ch 25 - Playtesting (Schell)
- [Valve's "Secret Weapon"](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9Yomqk0C6kE)
- Weird Giraffe Games: Playtesting Goals
- Extra Credits: Fail faster (video)
- [Raph Koster: On getting criticism](https://www.raphkoster.com/2013/10/14/on-getting-criticism/)
- [One Thousand XP: First playtests (video)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO1Cxy0nlCc)
- Brandon the Game Dev: 7 subtle player behaviors you should notice when play-testing
- Gnome Stew: How to get the most out of playtesting
- Weird Giraffe Games: Breaking your game
- How to lead a playtest w/ Emma Larkins (video)
- Playtesting: How to find people and what to do once you have them (video)
- Board Game Design Course: Getting good feedback (and what to do with it)
- Board Game Design Course: Playtesting questions to ask
- Shell Games: Definitive guide to playtest questions
#.
Writing assignment
#. (optional) Read rules for games listed below
New groups (please wait to sign-in)
Class overview [📋](https://www.icloud.com/keynote/0W8dKPQKr_-DsCKpsZ-Nx2dQg#4._Roll_%26_writes)
#. roll-and-writes
-
Railroad Ink (
online)
- demo:
Qwixx
- demo:
Voyages
#. flip-and-fills
-
Welcome To …
#. what are
polyominos?
-
Cartographers
- demo: Second Chance
- demo: Patchwork Doodle
#. revisions to
Fun survey?
#. discussion questions
Week 5: Playtesting practice
Due today
#. Read [BGG: Advice on how to be a good playtester](https://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/938100/10-playtest-principles-advice-on-how-to-be-a-goo)
#. NO writing assignment
#. Prepare
Roll-and-write prototypes for group members
Class overview [📋](https://www.icloud.com/keynote/0VejKKgt63mgLpnRd1M-Sc3uQ#5._Playtest_R%26W)
#. teach, playtest, Fun Surveys (30 minutes each)
#. assign
Roll-and-write playtest journal
#.
Fun survey
Week ???: Puzzles and games
Due today
#.
Readings (choose three)
- *Art of Game Design*, Ch. 12 - Game mechanics support puzzles
- Game design chat: Puzzle games with Rita Orlov (Kopp, video)
- Peeking behind the locked door: A survey of escape room facilities (Nicholson, 2015)
- Creating engaging escape rooms for the classroom (Nicholson, 2018)
- Ask why: Creating a better player experience through environmental storytelling and consistency in escape room design (Nicholson, 2016)
- Escape room puzzle design workshop | Renegade Con 2020 (Wild Optimists)
- Thematic solitaires for the spare time challenged: The automa approach (Pedersen, choose one of multiple blog entries)
- Escape the (remote) classroom: An online escape room for remote learning (Vergne, Smith, & Bowen, 2020)
- Designing puzzles and escaping the room (Comic-Con Museum, video)
- [Mechanics roundup: Roll & write](https://shippboardgames.blogspot.com/2022/04/mechanics-roundup-roll-write.html) (ShippBoard Games)
#.
Writing assignment
#. Play Unlock! Demo "Tutorial" (via
Space Cowboys or
Asmodee). Note: color is often important. Complete
Fun survey.
#. Prepare (print, cut, color)
Sprawlopolis pnp to play in class. Note: game cards are intended to be double-sided, but can still be played if single-sided.
#. (optional)
Hogwarts Digital Escape Room
Class overview [📋](https://www.icloud.com/keynote/0NCgEiKkP8mYpTpWEyui7JmWQ#3._Puzzles_and_games)
#. game analysis
-
Unlock demos (
Elite cards)
-
Sprawlopolis
- recap: Carcasonne
- demo:
Silver & Gold
- Grand Austria roll and write?
#. discussion questions
#.
Fun survey
Week 6: Themes
Due today
#.
Roll-and-write playtest journal
Readings (choose two)
- *Art of Game Design*, Ch 5 - The elements support a theme (Schell)
- *A Theory of Fun*, Ch 4 - What games teach us (Koster)
- [Shipp Board Games: So you need a theme](https://shippboardgames.blogspot.com/2021/04/so-you-need-theme.html)
- Extra Credits: Mechanics as metaphor, part 1 (video)
- Extra Credits: Snakes and Ladders: How meaning of a game changes over time (video)
- [League of Gamemakers: The themes, they are a' changing](https://www.leagueofgamemakers.com/the-themes-they-are-a-changing/)
#.
Writing assignment
#.
Rules explainers with assignments given below
(note: rules explaining has a high priority, let the instructor know if you need an extension on other assignments)
#.
Class overview [📋](https://www.icloud.com/keynote/0GR3OPfUaVNxA4phybwotbz0Q#6._Themes)
#. game analysis
-
Century: Golem edition with Ray N
-
Jamaica with Jagar S
-
Mysterium with Blake W
-
Quacks of Quedlinburg with Alyssa Y
-
Zooloretto with Steven D
-!
Fresco
#. discussion questions
#. how much does theme impact the game? how difficult would it be to retheme the game?
#. goal: mechanics and theme should support each other
#.
Fun survey
Week 7: Cooperation
Due today
#.
Readings (choose three)
- *Art of Game Design*, Ch 21 - Some games are played with other players (Schell)
- 5 problems with co-op game design (and possible solutions) (Kumar)
- [Reiner's approach to game design (video)](https://boardgamegeek.com/video/61941/reiner-knizia/reiners-approach-game-design)
- North Star Game Studio: How to fix the biggest problem in cooperative games
- Leacock: Cooperation and engagement (video)
- Board Game Design Lab: The two types of cooperative games with Peter Hayward
- Kim: Opening keynote presentation - The player's journey (video)
- [Boardgame Design Course: How to create an amazing co-op game](https://boardgamedesigncourse.com/how-to-create-an-amazing-co-op-game/)
- [ShippBoard Games: Defining conflict](https://shippboardgames.blogspot.com/2022/04/defining-conflict.html)
#.
Writing assignment
#.
rules explainers, see assignments below
#.
New groups (please wait to sign in)
Class overview [📋](https://www.icloud.com/keynote/0kevFvyg8-gGT2E8wt_fdie2g#7._Cooperation)
#. game analysis
-
Castle Panic with Thomas D
-
Flash Point: Fire Rescue with Nguyen N
-
Forbidden Island with Ben D
-
Hanabi with Kyden T
-
Pandemic Hot Zone: North America with Jinxxy J
-!
Horrified
#. Just One (
player boards)
#. discussion question
#. co-op issues
#.
Fun survey
Week ???: Probability, randomness and other math
Due today
#.
Readings (choose three)
- *Art of Game Design*, Ch 10.6 - Chance
- [League of Gamemakers: Game Elements: Uncertainty](https://leagueofgamemakers.com/game-elements-uncertainty/)
- [League of Gamemakers: Probability for game designers](https://leagueofgamemakers.com/probability-for-game-designers/)
- [League of Gamemakers: Game Elements - Scoring](https://leagueofgamemakers.com/game-elements-scoring/)
- [League of Gamemakers: Stealthy math](https://leagueofgamemakers.com/stealthy-math/)
- [@KelvinWilson42: "let's talk about using math in game design"](https://mobile.twitter.com/KevinWilson42/status/1026729342238420992)
- [GameTek 183: Input Output Randomness](https://ludology.libsyn.com/webpage/gametek-classic-183-input-output-randomness)
- [@ammourazz: Swinginess vs randomness](https://mobile.twitter.com/ammourazz/status/1290773146187046912)
- [@KevinWilson42: Underlying math for a game](https://mobile.twitter.com/kevinwilson42/status/1323469064828846083)
- [Board Game Design Lab: Removing math from games with Dan Peterson (audio)](https://boardgamedesignlab.com/removing-math-from-games-with-dan-peterson/)
- [Board Game Design Lab: Using math to design better games with Emerson Matsuuchi (audio)](https://boardgamedesignlab.com/using-math-to-design-better-games-with-emerson-matsuuchi/)
- [GameTek: Your friend the hypergeometric distribution](https://gametek.substack.com/p/your-friend-the-hypergeometric-distribution)
- Randomness, and “Random Value Absorption Thresholds” (Burgun)
#.
Writing assignment
Class overview [📋]()
#. today's slides
#.
expected value, probability, counting, using spreadsheets, game theory? use familiar games!
#. randomness in games
- Can't Stop
- Catan
- Space Base
#.
Week 8: Player psychology and strategies
Due today
#.
Readings (choose three)
- Tom Lehmann on opportunity cost (video)
- BoardGame Country: Board game strategies - A comprehensive guid to winning more games
- Gamer's Guides: Strategy vs tactics board games
- [Bartle: Hearts, Clubs, Diamonds, Spades: Players who suit MUDs](https://mud.co.uk/richard/hcds.htm)
- University XP: What are tactics?
- University XP: What is strategy in gameplay?
- [GameTek: Staggered goal engagement theory](https://gametek.substack.com/p/staggered-goal-engagement-theory)
- [ShippBoard Games: Theming player strategies](https://shippboardgames.blogspot.com/2022/03/theming-player-strategies.html)
- [Ludology GameTek Classic 61: Choices [audio]](https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-61-choices)
- Gilbert: Why we make bad decisions (video)
- Sagan: A new way to think about rules to live by
- Shut Up & Sit Down: How to win games and manipulate people
- Reddit/r/boardgames: Is there a single strategy in any one game that you know about that, if others realized it, they would probably like the game better?
- Reddit/r/boardgames: Improving strategic thinking
- Applecline: A theory of game - Psychology & the Prisoner's Dilemma
#.
Writing assignment
#.
rules explainers, see assignments below
Class overview [📋](https://www.icloud.com/keynote/0uDQEhibqKOoNH4gWQBDUOvFA#9._Choice_and_strategy)
#. game analysis
-
Bohnanza with Ellah O
-
Downfall of Pompeii with Eljah W
-
Stone Age with Valarie S [note: remove 3 huts per stack]
-
Ticket to Ride with Maddie M
-
Tikal with Carl L [note: remove F & G tiles]
-!
Dominion with ???
#. strategies?
#. discussion questions
#.
Fun survey
Assign
Design Documents (due two weeks)
Week 9: Game balancing
Due today
#.
Readings (choose three)
- Art of Game Design, Ch 11. Game mechanics must be in balance (Schell)
- [Ludology: Thinking beyond Mechanisms (audio)](https://ludology.libsyn.com/thinking-beyond-mechanisms-ep-4-0)
- [GameTek: Telling Fibs](https://gametek.substack.com/p/telling-fibs)
- [GameTek: Balancing act (Englestein)](https://gametek.substack.com/p/balancing-act)
- [GameTek: Balance part 2](https://gametek.substack.com/p/balance-part-2)
- Level drain and loss aversion in D&D (Madigan)
- [Pulsipher Game Design: How to improve replayability?](https://pulsiphergamedesign.blogspot.com/2007/11/how-to-improve-replayability-in-game.html)
- [Designing fun (Ernest, video)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCfoRFFW6DA&t=155)
- [How to make game easier (@emmlarkins)](https://mobile.twitter.com/emmalarkins/status/1109300914119032832?s=11)
- [BoardGameGeek's Table talk: That's overpowered! (video)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGnJA8h3I5E0)
- The psychology of scoring in solo cartographers (Cardboard Mountain)
- [Jeff's World of Game Design: Winning at game design by designing at winning](https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/96968/winning-game-design-designing-winning)
- [BoardGameGeek: First player advantage and game balance](https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/120183/first-player-advantage-and-game-balance)
- Czech Games Edition: Playtesting Lost Ruins of Arnak - Expedition Leaders, part 2
- [BoardGameGeek: Types of 'Market' mechanisms. Any favourites?](https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2813462/types-market-mechanisms-any-favourites)
- [How to prevent runaway leaders in board game design (Porter)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7_s7KdrtpA)
- [Turn order advantage](https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/133906/turn-order-advantage)
- What is a bidding game? (Dix)
#.
Writing assignment
#.
rules explainers, see assignments below
#.
New groups (please wait to sign in)
Class overview [📋](https://www.icloud.com/keynote/0bUWcW_KaqAy9asrU83gJPsWQ#9._Balancing)
#. balancing: turn order advantage, double or halve, down time, auctions, feedback, numbers
#. game analysis
-
For Sale with Aubrie V
-
No Thanks with Piper E
-
Point Salad with Kyle H
-
Shifting Stones with Caleb S
-
Wits and Wagers with Clara B
-! https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/192658/award-winning-filler-games
#. (if time) Rhino Hero, the irony of game balancing
#. discussion questions
#.
Fun survey
Reminder
Design Documents (due next week)
Week 10: Evergreen games
Due today
#. Game Design Project:
Design documents
Readings (choose two)
- [Stonemaier Games: Evergreen Games - What Do They Have in Common?](https://stonemaiergames.com/evergreen-games-what-do-they-have-in-common/)
- [Game Trade Magazine: The history of Ticket to Ride](https://www.gametrademagazine.com/Home/1/1/58/581?articleID=146013)
- [Stonemaier Games: Designer Diary - Wingspan](https://stonemaiergames.com/games/wingspan/design-diary-wingspan/)
- [The Genesis of 7 Wonders](https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/546414/article/43118607#43118607)
-! [JonGetsGames: Rondels & what they do!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOV-3-6MYSU)
- [Cardboard Mountain: How Lords of Waterdeep was balanced](https://cardboardmountain.com/game-design-by-example-how-lords-of-waterdeep-was-balanced/)
- [Dominion Strategy: The secret history of the Dominion](https://dominionstrategy.com/2013/06/24/the-secret-history-of-dominion/)
#.
Writing assignment
#.
rules explainers, see assignments below
Class overview [📋](https://www.icloud.com/keynote/09UR4wg4ltqjBj7199et9vElA#9._Prototyping)
#. game analysis
-
7 Wonders with Jack R
-
Azul with Evan R
-
Lords of Waterdeep with Lindsay B
-
Wingspan with Sam W
-
Horrified with Prof. Hlas
#. discussion questions
#. prototyping tips:
- Hans examples
-
board for Flash Point: Fire Rescue
- 100 cards vs. 10×10 (see
Engelstein's never the same deck twice)
#.
Fun survey
Week 11: Education, equity, ethics
Due today
#.
Readings about education (choose one):
- Jesse Schell: Gamifying work (video)
- Jesse Schell: Design outside the box (video)
- Dan Meyer: Video games & making math more like things students like
- Medium: 12 big ideas from game design you should know
- Amy Jo Kim: 7 Gamification myths, debunked
- Mindset board game (Leow)
- Thoughts and conversations: I made a game about anxiety
- Thoughts and conversations: I made a game about depression that isn't depressing
- [Luminescence design diary #1 (Lorenc)](https://www.unstuckintimegaming.com/s/stories/luminescence-design-diary-1)
- Using board games to teach and communicate science: Covalence (Critchley)
Readings about equity (choose one):
- [Space-Biff!: Our house is a very very very Molly House](https://spacebiff.com/2023/10/17/molly-house/)
- Reconnecting the dots: A response to the King of Average about Frosthaven (Shelf Stories)
- [The Dice Tower: Lack of diversity and representation in the hobby (featuring Rodney Smith, video)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytUUQhKdzL0&t=4375)
- An analysis of gender-inclusive language and imagery in top-ranked board game rulebooks (Jones)
- How games approach sensitive & controversial themes (Stegmaier, video)
- Assessing gender and racial representation in the board game industry (Pobuda)
- Supporting blind gamers (Reed)
Readings about ethics (choose one):
- Jesse Schell: Visions of the Gampeocalypse (video)
- Brenda Romero: Gaming for understanding (video)
- [The prototype that was banned from Halfbrick (explicit)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9WMNuyjm4w)
- Extra Credits: Humane design - Games must be good to their players (video)
- [Cogito Design: Morality and mechanics, part 1 (video)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW6mXFrwfuI)
- Mrwhosetheboss: How mobile games are designed to SCAM you
- No Pun Included: Colonialism - The board game struggle (video)
- Gabe Barrett: Can board games end homelessness? (video)
#.
Writing assignment
#. NO rules explainers!
#. (optional) Read BoardGameGeek descriptions for Carcassonne expansions listed below
#. (optional)
Trolley problem or
Universal paperclips or
Parable of Polygons
Class overview [📋](https://www.icloud.com/keynote/0KAdJy4jJ5g-5iAWpou1XKh6Q#11._Ethics)
#. education: learning, chunking, groking, gamification
#. game analysis
-
Carcassonne: Inns and Cathedrals
-
Carcassonne: Traders and Builders
-
Carcassonne: Princess and Dragon
-
Carcassonne: Star Wars
-
Carcassonne: Tower
#. equity/0diversity: discuss characters in
Roll Player,
One Deck Dungeon,
Pandemic Hot Zone
#. discussion questions
#. time to meet with group
#.
Fun survey
Week 12: First playtest
Due today
#. Prototype 1
(optional) playtesting tips:
- Board Game Design Course: Top 5 components you need for making prototypes
#. NO writing assignment
New groups (assigned for playtesting)
Class overview [📋](https://www.icloud.com/keynote/0wNtLwt-VNBwljFuWE6p4meXQ#12._Playtest_1)
#. designer leads first playtest
#. reminders
#. playtests
#. discuss
Designer's Diary
#.
Fun survey
Week 13: Second playtest (A/B)
Due today
#. Prototype 1
(optional) playtesting tips:
- Playtester Feedback: a Carcassonne parable for game designers (Adam in Wales)
- How to tell when play-testing feedback is useful or not (Rollins)
- [What is your biggest game design/playtesting secret?](https://twitter.com/BreakMyGameG/status/1572066930667950080) (@BreakMyGameG)
- [Write down results](http://cardboardedison.com/blog/2017/3/7/883nbt1sdeh7pn9rr4pt5rv84jdwn9) (Rollins)
- 7 subtle player behaviors you should notice when play-testing (Rollins)
#. NO writing assignment
Class overview [📋](https://www.icloud.com/keynote/04eHHvJbDPhZhSvFILOOu-6TA#13._Playtest_2)
#. developer (or game designer) leads A/B testing
#.
Fun survey
Week 14: Third playtest (blind)
Week 15: Final playtest (Faculty night!)
Due today
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(optional) read
#. Bring internet connected device for professor evaluations
#. Project reminders
- Game Design Project: "Final" prototype (due)
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Game design diary (due final exam time)
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Class overview [📋]()
#. design team chooses explainer, explainer has option to also play
- Session 1: 4:10-5:10
- Session 2: 5:15-6:15
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Fun survey optional
#. Wrap-up, evals, discuss final class + exit ticket
Final class