Dice Math and Games

or How I learned that Math can be used for fun stuff.

Who am I?
Dr. Adam Doc Brackin (adambrackin.com) Research Assistant Professor at UT:Dallas Author of various things Editor for I-D.net Transmedia Author (ARGs, Timewasters, Games, RPGs)

What is a GAME?

Some Vocabulary

What is a GAME?

DEFINED RULES
DEFINED SPACE GIVEN SET OF COMPONENTS SET OF VICTORY CONDITIONS

What is a VIDEO Game?

A (computer) video game is an electronic game that involves interaction with a user interface to generate visual feedback on a video device.

(Source: Wikipedia)

What is Gameplay?

the component of (computer) games that is found in no other art form: interactivity! ___________

Rouse p.xx

What is Game Design?

form of the gameplay! what determines the _______ (or) Coming up with an idea for a game and fleshing it out on paper or some other similar method usually referred to as the game design document.

Rouse p.xxi

What is Game Design?

(or the one I like)

The act of deciding what a game should be.

Schell p.xxiv

Game Development:
The process of making a game (often from a game design document) so that it is in a playable format.

Games can be used to

Simulate Things (Whole worlds!) Tell Stories Teach Complicated Things Encourage Creativity Foster Cooperation Have Fun! (Duh!) (and a bunch of other stuff!)

Math is extremely important!

What would games be without dice? Why do we use them?

Source: Gary Gygax AD&D 1979

Understanding probability is the key to balancing a game well.

There is a BIG difference between linear probability and a bell curve!

So lets play a story game using math and probability.

Doc BRACKINS SIMPLE RPG SYSTEM -- DEMO

(The product of literally MINUTES of design and testing.)

YOU HAVE 10 CHARACTER POINTS MUST HAVE AT LEAST 1 PT IN EACH SPEND THEM IN MIND/BODY/SPIRIT ADD UP EACH COMBINATION AND PUT THEM IN THE MIDDLE SLOTS (Psyche/Willpower/Stamina) WAIT FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS (I WILL TELL YOU YOUR CLASS)

You are at work in a secret government building known as Area 43

Spend one BONUS point into the highest middle slot tied? Choose! CLASS is determined by the highest stat:

Mind/Body = WILLPOWER You are a Scientist (with a portable Mind Computer) Body/Spirit = STAMINA You are a Soldier (with a Body Gun) Spirit/Mind = PSYCHE You are an Alien (prisoner with Spirit mental powers)

THE GAMEPLAY RULE written three ways: Every (CLASS) with at least a (ROLL) in (TRAIT) succeeds in (ACTION) If C = True, and R > T, then A = Success! If your class agrees to do something, roll under the related trait to succeed.

**What dice combination should we use?**