Activity 3.

12
Player Interactions
Introduction: When you design a game, there is an interaction between a player, the game system and other players. These are called player interaction patterns. Lets explore the seven main interaction patterns. Materials: Internet, playing cards (one for each pair of students) , lesson handout or computer file. Lesson: 1. Using the curriculum, and the handout, define the different player patterns. List 3 games examples for each player pattern. Player Patterns Single player Vs game Multiple individual players Vs game Player Vs player Definition When an individual competes against an actual physical being Examples 1.solitaire 2.Jinga 3.Forty Thieves 1.Chess 2.Tabula 3.Halo

When more than one player is against a single

One individual going against another

1.Chess 2.Tabula 3.Checkers 1.dodgeball 2.tag 3.hide and seek 1.monopoly 2.life 3.sorry 1.minecraft 2.trine 2 3.SimCity 1.football 2. Volleyball

Unilateral competition Multilateral competition

Two or more player against one player 3 or more players all competing against each other

Cooperative Multiple people are working play together to complete something Team competition Teams against each other

3.basketball

2. Divide into groups of two with your teachers help. Your group will be assigned a player pattern from your teacher. 3. Using a deck of playing cards create a simple game that uses the player pattern you were assigned. Play-test your game with your partner. Write down the rules. a. ( for example for cooperative play, 2 or more players combine they hand of 2 cards against the dealer to see who can have the highest score using two cards. Face cards are worth 10, aces 15, and all other cards face value. First one to win 3 hands wins the game.) 4. Combine together with another group and play each others games. 5. Move to another group and repeat. (Continually revise your game as you play it each time with another group.) 6. Continue until all groups have visited each other. Questions: 1. 2. 3. What game did you enjoy playing the best and why? What game did you enjoy playing the least and why? What player interaction seems to be the hardest to design a game for and why? Multiple individual vs. game because it was hard to come up with a game that fit the criteria 4. Brainstorm a game idea that uses a combination of player patterns. Write out how this might work. Maybe have multiple groups come up with a plan to win but in the end the main everyones ideas help work together to win Extension: 1. Design your game using other game assets besides cards. 2. Take an existing board game and redesign the rules to fit another player pattern.