Initial Game Design Research

We have a title, we have 2 board designs (that we will probably merge together), We have a solid set of rules and a method of game-play, we have settled on the theme, we have researched and can you believe it play-tested one of the boards on our focus group! Nigel was glad that we had progressed well this last week and could see where the game was headed now which was a great relief. Half of me was expecting him to say "Why are you still going on with the cowboys and indians idea!?".
Our team has been very fortunate in that although some members have been absent from over half the group meetings, we all seem very involved and committed as we have been in university at 11am every day last week and probably every day this week too, to give each other updates and feedback on how we are progressing with the project. Jess has proven herself to be a natural leader and general go-to-gal for sorting out all of our queries!

Over the weekend I looked further into the theory of play and fun, I am reading a book by Jane McGonigal (http://www.amazon.com/Reality-Broken-Games-Better-Change/dp/1594202850) which looks into the 4 key areas to fun. A topic which is also keenly researched by Nicole Lazzaro, which led me to this interesting article by her which shows in a clear diagram the 4 areas concerned.
(http://xeodesign.com/whyweplaygames.html)

As I was reading this 'poster' a checklist formed in my head. Board games can provide all four areas of fun as I shall now explain;

SERIOUS FUN: "Purposeful Play" - The purpose of the game is to out-smart the other players. Your damsel is in danger and you must use a combination of sabotage and strategy to rebuild your tower/totem and defeat the enemy!

PEOPLE FUN: "Provides the excuse to hand out with friends" - In McGonigal's book she refers to the teasing and banter between players of a game to help create new friendships, and strengthen exsisting ones. Our game is competitive, and the two opposing factions are well known to children. This familiarity I feel will be key to our sucess - we dont have to bore the children with a lengthy back story - they already understand that the cowboys are against the indians! From our initial testing of the game, the children wanted to play the game again - another excuse to play with friends!

HARD FUN: "Provides the excuse for challenge, mastery and feelings of accomplishment" - Our game encourages the player to build a tower. This visual representation of the position within the game is far more powerful and satisfying than a mere numerical score. In Sophie's play-test with her cousins, the building aspect stood out as one of their favourite parts of the game.

EASY FUN: "Inspires exploration and role-play" - Our theme of cowboys and indians alone inspires role play amongst children, add to that our "Howler" and "Yee-Ha!" squares and the hilarity of the game increases. Children can laugh at each other and their parents making the 'silly noises' the game demands and inspires. Combine this easy silly fun with the challenge of the strategy of the game and hopefully we will find success!

Totem Pole Research

Here are some images I have looked at for inspiration for Totem Pole designs, along with the meanings of the animals displayed.

http://www.gullitotempoles.com/TotemPoleSymbols.html

• Raven - The mercurial trickster of Northwest Coast Native lore. Curious and mischievious, often misbehaving but never boring.
• Sea Turtle - This totem is representative of Mother Earth.
• Thunderbird - A mythological bird known to manifest the rolling of thunder while beating its wings and creating lightening when blinking it's eyes. Known to kill whales.
• Eagle - Intelligent and resourceful. He rules the sky and is able to transform himself into a human.
• Wolf - Very powerful totem who can help people that are sick or in need.
• Bear - A teacher symbol as it is believed that Bear taught the People to catch salmon and pick berries.
• Frog - Known for bringing wealth and is associated with Copper Woman. In another myth, frog was held down in fire, when it burst lava flowed and engulfed an entire village.
• Otter - The otter is a mischievous creature that is also a symbol of laughter, curiosity, grace, and empathy.
• Salmon - The salmon symbolizes instinct, persistence, and determination.
• Owl - The owl is a very respected animal and is thought to symbolize the souls of the departed.
• Killer Whale - Whales are honored as strong and brave fish. The mythology of the killer whale is that is will bring food and assistance to a chief or other important person lying helpless and/or wounded.

http://laniermybook.wikispaces.com/file/view/totem.jpg/116446275/totem.jpg
http://islandnet.com/~hjrice/Orillia.jpg