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Project Topic 2: Game Description

 Describe:
1. Think of a game, any game. Now write down a description of the
game. Be detailed. Describe it as if you are describing to someone
who has never played a game like it before.
One game is "Settlers of Catan," a popular board game that involves strategy,
resource management, and negotiation. In Settlers of Catan, players take on the
roles of settlers on a new island, and their goal is to build and expand their
settlements while collecting resources to trade and develop their economy.
At the beginning of the game, each player starts with two settlements and two
roads on the board, which is made up of hexagonal tiles that represent different
types of resources such as wood, brick, sheep, wheat, and ore. These resources
are used to build new settlements, roads, and cities, which in turn generate more
resources.
Players take turns rolling dice to determine which hexagonal tiles produce
resources. If a player's settlement is adjacent to one of the tiles that produce
resources, they receive that resource. Players can also trade resources with each
other to gain an advantage.
The game includes elements of strategy and negotiation, as players must decide
when to build, trade, or hold onto resources. They must also be mindful of their
opponents' moves and work to block their opponents from gaining an
advantage.
The first player to reach ten victory points (which are earned by building
settlements, cities, and other structures) wins the game. Settlers of Catan is a
game that requires careful planning, resource management, and negotiation,
making it a fun and engaging experience for players of all skill levels.

2. Now think of another game—a completely different type of game.

The more different this game is from the first one, the better.
Describe it.

Another game that is quite different from Settlers of Catan is "Overwatch," a

popular team-based first-person shooter game that combines elements of
strategy and teamwork with fast-paced action and intense battles.

In Overwatch, players take on the roles of heroes, each with their own unique
abilities and playstyles. The game features a variety of game modes, including
objective-based missions where players must capture or defend objectives, and

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team deathmatch modes where players must work together to eliminate the
opposing team.

Players choose their heroes before each match and work together with their
team to achieve the objective or defeat the enemy team. The game emphasizes
teamwork and strategy, with players using their heroes' abilities in combination
with their teammates' to gain an advantage.

The game also includes elements of customization, with players able to

customize their heroes' appearances, weapons, and abilities as they progress
through the game. Players earn rewards for their achievements, such as new
skins and loot boxes that contain cosmetic items.
Overwatch is a fast-paced and thrilling game that combines strategy, teamwork,
and intense action. The unique heroes and their abilities make the game both
engaging and challenging, requiring players to adapt their strategies and work
together to achieve victory.

 Compare:
1. Compare your descriptions. 

The two games I described, Settlers of Catan and Overwatch, are quite different
from each other in terms of gameplay and genre.

Settlers of Catan is a board game that emphasizes strategy, resource

management, and negotiation. It is a game that can be played by people of all
ages, and it rewards careful planning and decision-making. The game involves
building and expanding settlements while collecting resources, and players must
be mindful of their opponents' moves in order to block them and gain an
advantage. Settlers of Catan is a game that encourages players to think ahead
and to work collaboratively with others.

In contrast, Overwatch is a first-person shooter game that emphasizes fast-paced

action, teamwork, and skill-based gameplay. It is a game that is typically played
by more experienced gamers, and it requires a high degree of hand-eye
coordination and reflexes. The game involves working together with a team to
achieve objectives or eliminate the enemy team, and players must use their
heroes' unique abilities in combination with their teammates' to gain an
advantage. Overwatch is a game that rewards skill and practice, and it
encourages players to work together and communicate effectively.

Overall, while both Settlers of Catan and Overwatch are games that require
strategy and decision-making, they are quite different from each other in terms
of gameplay and target audience. Settlers of Catan is a game that can be enjoyed

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by people of all ages, while Overwatch is typically played by more experienced

gamers.

2. Which elements were different and which were similar? 

The elements that were different between Settlers of Catan and Overwatch were
the genre, platform, target audience, and gameplay mechanics. Settlers of Catan
is a board game that can be played by people of all ages, while Overwatch is a
first-person shooter game that is typically played by more experienced gamers.
Settlers of Catan is played on a board with physical game pieces, while
Overwatch is played on a computer or gaming console.

The gameplay mechanics of Settlers of Catan involve resource management,

negotiation, and careful planning, while Overwatch involves fast-paced action,
teamwork, and skill-based gameplay. Settlers of Catan is a turn-based game that
allows players to take their time and think ahead, while Overwatch is a real-time
game that requires quick reflexes and split-second decision-making.
The elements that were similar between Settlers of Catan and Overwatch were
the emphasis on strategy and decision-making. Both games require players to
make decisions that affect the outcome of the game, and both games reward
players who are able to think ahead and plan strategically. Additionally, both
games involve working with others to achieve objectives, whether it's building
settlements and negotiating with other players in Settlers of Catan, or working
together with a team to capture objectives in Overwatch.

3. Dig deep and really think about the underlying mechanics of each
game. 

Settlers of Catan:

Settlers of Catan is a turn-based strategy game that involves resource

management, negotiation, and careful planning. Players collect resources by
placing their settlements and cities on resource tiles, which can be traded in for
different goods that can be used to build more settlements and cities or purchase
development cards. Players must also be mindful of the robber, a game piece
that can be used to block the production of resources on a particular tile. The
game also involves negotiation between players, as trading resources can help
players gain an advantage over their opponents.

The game mechanics of Settlers of Catan are designed to encourage players to

think ahead and strategize for the long term. Players must manage their
resources carefully to ensure that they can continue to expand and develop their

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settlements and cities, while also being mindful of their opponents' moves and
trying to block their progress.

Overwatch:

Overwatch is a team-based first-person shooter game that requires fast reflexes,

coordination, and skill. Players take on the roles of heroes, each with their own
unique abilities and playstyles, and work together with their team to achieve
objectives or eliminate the enemy team. The game mechanics of Overwatch are
designed to emphasize teamwork and communication, as players must
coordinate their hero abilities and work together to achieve their goals.

The game also rewards skill and practice, as players who are able to master their
hero's abilities and use them effectively can gain a significant advantage over
their opponents. The game's various modes, maps, and heroes provide a high
degree of replayability, as players can experiment with different playstyles and
strategies to find what works best for them and their team.

Overall, the underlying mechanics of Settlers of Catan and Overwatch are quite
different, reflecting the differences in genre and target audience. Settlers of
Catan emphasizes careful resource management and negotiation, while
Overwatch emphasizes fast-paced action, coordination, and skill. Both games,
however, require strategic thinking and decision-making, as players must be
able to adapt to changing circumstances and work with others to achieve their
goals.

 Activity: How to modify Snakes and Ladders for More Strategic

Play
As designers you want the game to feel more strategic and
intentional, it is possible to modify the rules (an element of the
mechanics) without changing the board to achieve this aesthetic
change.
One way to modify the rules of Snakes and Ladders to make the game feel more
strategic and intentional is to introduce a resource management element to the
game. Here's one possible modification:

1. Resource Tokens:

Players start the game with a set number of resource tokens (for example, five).
These tokens can be used to reroll a die, move additional spaces, or avoid

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sliding down a snake. At the beginning of each turn, the player must decide
whether to use a resource token or save it for later in the game.

2. Strategic Decisions:

To make the game more strategic, players must make strategic decisions about
when to use their resource tokens. For example, they may choose to save their
tokens for a later turn when they are closer to winning, or they may choose to
use them early in the game to gain an advantage. Players must also be strategic
about which ladders and snakes to take, as some may require more resources to
navigate than others.

3. Increased Challenge:

With this modification, the game becomes more challenging and requires more
careful planning and decision-making. Players must manage their resources
carefully to ensure that they have enough to make it to the end of the game, and
they must be mindful of their opponents' moves to gain an advantage.
By introducing a resource management element to the game, Snakes and
Ladders becomes more strategic and intentional, and players have more control
over their fate. This modification can make the game more engaging and
enjoyable for players who are looking for a deeper gaming experience.

1. How designers can modify mechanics to change dynamic play and

achieve aesthetic goals? Jot down your ideas and Discuss.

Designers can modify mechanics in various ways to change the dynamic play
and achieve aesthetic goals. Here are a few ideas:
1. Introduce new game elements:
Designers can add new game elements to change the way players interact with
the game mechanics. For example, they might introduce power-ups or obstacles
that change the way players move or interact with the game world. This can
create a new dynamic and add depth to the gameplay experience.
2. Change the rules:
Designers can modify the rules of a game to create a new dynamic and achieve
aesthetic goals. For example, they might add or remove a game element, change
the way players score points, or change the way players interact with each other.
This can create a new challenge and encourage players to think differently about
the game.

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3. Adjust game balance:

Designers can modify the game balance to achieve aesthetic goals. For example,
they might increase or decrease the difficulty of the game to create a different
type of challenge for players. This can change the way players approach the
game and create a different gameplay experience.
4. Implement customization options:
Designers can add customization options to allow players to modify the game to
suit their preferences. This might include the ability to change the difficulty
level, adjust game settings, or choose different characters or game modes. This
can create a more personalized gameplay experience for players.
Overall, modifying game mechanics can be a powerful tool for achieving
aesthetic goals and creating a unique gameplay experience. By introducing new
game elements, changing the rules, adjusting game balance, and implementing
customization options, designers can create games that are more engaging,
challenging, and fun to play.

Refer: Lecture2_Structure of Games for Example of Description

and Comparison
Refer: Lecture6_Game Analysis Frameworks for Activity

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