Classes

Enrichment- Game-opoly!



We've all had the experience of playing a game that brought us hours of enjoyment. These days, board games seem to have taken a back seat to video games and the internet. I'm not saying that video games are a bad thing. I certainly play my fair share. I'm suggesting that we take a closer look at board games. This project is the perfect way to do that.

Learning Outcomes:
  1. By researching and preparing a presentation about board games, students will develop and improve 21st century presentation skills.
  2. By executing design concepts on the computer, students will develop and explore graphic design techniques using Adobe PS and Illustrator.

Games don't need to be overtly academic to be educational, however. Just by virtue of playing them, board games can teach important social skills, such as communicating verbally, sharing, waiting, taking turns, and enjoying interaction with others. Board games can foster the ability to focus, and lengthen your attention span by encouraging the completion of an exciting, enjoyable game. Even simple board games like Chutes and Ladders offer meta-messages and life skills: Your luck can change in an instant — for the better or for the worse. The message inherent in board games is: Never give up. Just when you feel despondent, you might hit the jackpot and ascend up high, if you stay in the game for just a few more moves. 

Here are a few links to websites with board game examples, old and new.....








PREGAME- SET UP GOOGLE DRIVE FOLDER

One person in the group needs to set up a google drive folder and share it with the group and me. My email address is on the board in class.  After setting up the folder create a google doc inside the folder titled Daily Log. You will use this as a daily journal to log what you do every day.

The folder needs to be titled Group #-BoardGame Project
(I will give you your group number)


STEP 1- Week 1- RESEARCH and PITCH PRESENTATION

The first step of the project is designed for you to take a closer look at the history of board games and some of the concepts and content that board games span. 

The picture below gives directions and some questions for you to answer on your way to the class presentation.

Here are a few more links for you to look at that discuss board game design.





REMINDER: Make sure a group member posts something onto your daily log everyday describing your progress in class.

Step 2- Week 2/3/4- Board Game Design

During this week, you will begin to design the visual aspects of your board game. Take a look at the image below to check out some guiding design questions. As you work through your design make sure to discuss these questions and others with your group.



  • How many players will there be?
  • How long should the game be?
  • What choices will the player make, and when will they make them?
  • How will the player make these choices?
  • How will one player's choice impact the other players?
  • How will the players interact with each other?
  • Are there any choices that can be made by one player, but not by the others?
  • How does the game progress? Is it strictly turn-based, or is it in rounds with phases?
  • What actions will the player be able to take?
  • How will the outcome of an action be determined?
  • What is the player's goal?
  • How can the player win?
Even if you don't know all the answers yet, you may find that keeping the questions in mind while working will lead you to the answers.
IMPORTANT: FOCUS ON YOUR GAME MECHANICS FIRST BEFORE THE VISUAL DESIGN. IF YOUR GAME IS NOT FUN IT DOESN'T MATTER IF ITS COOL LOOKING!

The How to Learn Board Game Design and Development article is an extremely helpful tool to show you the steps to take as you work on designing your game. The board, the box cover, logo, and all game pieces and tokens will be made during this step. 

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