Keywords

board game, game, design, game design, research, technical writing, game development, unstable underground

Select the category the research project fits.

Innovative Technology/Entrepreneurship/Design

Is this submission part of ICaP/PW (Introductory Composition at Purdue/Professional Writing)?

Yes

Abstract

This poster depicts the process for the design, production, and marketing of an original board game. This began in our ENGL 419 class as a group of four and is currently being continued during our free time as a group of two outside of the course. To begin, we researched multiple scholarly and industry articles to gain insights into modern hobbyist board game (HBG) design practices as well as playtesting a variety of HBGs to get a grasp on various styles and mechanics. We also studied crowdfunding trends and design; this research consisted of articles on practices when crowdfunding, as well as learning from successful and unsuccessful Kickstarter projects. We began the design process by designing the core mechanics of our HBG, and then building off of those core mechanics. Once we had an initial gameplay loop designed, we began conducting playtests internally to help balance mechanics, as well as externally to receive user feedback on the current state of the game. Using this feedback, we made several new iterations of our HBG in an iterative design process. After multiple weeks, we created a full paper prototype to test our HBG. This prototype included full card art and a written rulebook for players. Upon completion of this paper prototype, we created the first draft of our Kickstarter page which included a promotional video, images, game description, cost estimates, and a final goal. We also developed a social media plan for marketing purposes. After much playtesting, we decided to take our findings and redesign the game, altering several core mechanics into a new version that we are currently working on. Once we finish the second version, we will redesign the Kickstarter page to reflect our new ideas.

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Unstable Underground

This poster depicts the process for the design, production, and marketing of an original board game. This began in our ENGL 419 class as a group of four and is currently being continued during our free time as a group of two outside of the course. To begin, we researched multiple scholarly and industry articles to gain insights into modern hobbyist board game (HBG) design practices as well as playtesting a variety of HBGs to get a grasp on various styles and mechanics. We also studied crowdfunding trends and design; this research consisted of articles on practices when crowdfunding, as well as learning from successful and unsuccessful Kickstarter projects. We began the design process by designing the core mechanics of our HBG, and then building off of those core mechanics. Once we had an initial gameplay loop designed, we began conducting playtests internally to help balance mechanics, as well as externally to receive user feedback on the current state of the game. Using this feedback, we made several new iterations of our HBG in an iterative design process. After multiple weeks, we created a full paper prototype to test our HBG. This prototype included full card art and a written rulebook for players. Upon completion of this paper prototype, we created the first draft of our Kickstarter page which included a promotional video, images, game description, cost estimates, and a final goal. We also developed a social media plan for marketing purposes. After much playtesting, we decided to take our findings and redesign the game, altering several core mechanics into a new version that we are currently working on. Once we finish the second version, we will redesign the Kickstarter page to reflect our new ideas.