assignments

1. Assignment 1 due Mon Sep 30

a. For each of Summoner Wars and Pandemic do the following initial design exercise for a new card (a role card, like scientist or medic, in Pandemic; a common or champion unit for a specific summoner in Summoner Wars):

• Create a power that you think would be an interesting addition to the mechanics of the game (i.e. how the game plays). Explain how it works in a bit more detail than the power text you have how you intend it to work and /why/ you think it would be interesting. Do not consider theme.
• Create a unit name and thematic description of it that you think would be an interesting addition to the theme of the game (i.e. how the game feels; this will be summoner-specific for Summoner Wars). Explain /why/ you think it would be interesting. Do not consider mechanics in anything but the barest outline (e.g. "can attack with a bowling ball," plus an explanation of why that would be cool, rather than "Bowler: choose a direction in straight line from this unit. All units within X spaces of this unit in that direction...").

b. Choose two puzzles from Puzzle Sheet 1 and carefully write up complete solutions to them. These should be entirely readable by, for example, someone reading your Writing Portfolio, so you should include the statement of the problem.

What I'm looking for: clearly explained solutions and that you've pushed yourself to solve the trickiest problems you can. Also good is some commentary on your process for thinking about the problem. An extreme version of this are some failed attempts and thoughtful musing on one you could not solve.

2. Assignment 2 due Mon Oct 14

• Play at least two games with one of the units designed in class. Write a playtest report on it. This should include: how the games went and your impression of unit (was it fun? did it seem balanced? was it clear what to do with it? did it fit the game mechanically and thematically,...?). Do you have any recommendations for changes based on your games? (Suggested changes should be within the spirit of what the unit design is trying to achieve.)
• Also, say how many units and which ones you played games with overall. Any other short comments about any of them?

3. Assignment 3 due Fri Oct 25

• Read (or at least browse) the notes on probability based around Pig and Heroscape. Answer a few questions.

As with Assignment 1, I'm looking for: clearly explained solutions and that you've pushed yourself to solve the trickiest problems you can. Also good is some commentary on your process for thinking about the problem. An extreme version of this are some failed attempts and thoughtful musing on one you could not solve.

For the exercises on Page 10, you can (and maybe should!) use the games developed in class on 9th October.

Also, you should feel free to vary the source material and devise, and answer, questions about probability and expected value in Summoner Wars or Pandemic.

4. Participation Check-In due Fri Oct 11

Nothing for you to do; I'm listing it as an assignment so that a page pops up for me to give you individual comments.

5. Game Studies Paper due Fri Dec 6

As discussed in class, I'm looking for about 5 pages of analytical writing on games. Good choices are to analyse one or more games using 3+ of the schemas from Rules of Play, or to use a game (or games) to explain some of the schemas. If you have an idea that doesn't fit this model, talk to me about it.

If you would like comments on a draft, get it to me before the Thanksgiving Break and I'll return it on the Monday after Thanksgiving.

6. Participation due Tue Dec 17

Again, nothing for you to do, but making it an assignment gives me a place to put a letter.

7. Final Project due Tue Dec 17

You should submit three items: the game (or whatever representation of it we've agreed), the ruleset (if appropriate), and some design notes that illustrate your process. We have, and will, talk about the details a lot more in class.

8. Final Grade due Wed Dec 18

You're finished! This is another placeholder assignment for the overall grade and commentary.