Game Design and Tuning
Workshop
Party Game Elective
Marc “MAHK” LeBlanc
GDC 2004
Game Tuning Workshop
What You’ll be Doing
• Design
 Consider constraints
 Declare aesthetic goals
 Design a game (in groups)
• Test
 Play your game
 Analyze your game
• Tune
 Revise your game
Game Tuning Workshop
The MDA Framework
Mechanics
Dynamics
Game Tuning Workshop
Aesthetics
MDA Terms
• Mechanics: The rules and concepts that
formally specify the game-as-system.
• Dynamics: The run-time behavior of the
game-as-system.
• Aesthetics: The desirable emotional
responses evoked by the game dynamics.
Game Tuning Workshop
Eight Kinds of "Fun"
1. Sensation
5. Fellowship
Game as sensepleasure
Game as social
framework
2. Fantasy
6. Discovery
Game as make-believe
3. Narrative
Game as uncharted
territory
7. Expression
Game as drama
Game as self-discovery
4. Challenge
Game as obstacle
course
8. Submission
Game as pastime
Game Tuning Workshop
Party Constraints
• What constraints are you operating
under?
Game Tuning Workshop
Some Constraints
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Lots of party goers
Standing room only
Limited attention span
Food in hand
People arriving late
Alcohol
Limited resources
 Cocktail napkins, ballpoint pens
Game Tuning Workshop
Considerations
• Should the game involve everyone at the party or
only those people interested in playing?
• What is the ideal complexity level for a party
game?
• Structure: When are rules explained? How long do
people play? Can people play intermittently? When
does the game end?
• Interface: Materials? Access to rules? Scoring?
Game Tuning Workshop
Aesthetic Goals
1. Sensation
5. Fellowship
Game as sensepleasure
Game as social
framework
2. Fantasy
6. Discovery
Game as make-believe
3. Narrative
Game as uncharted
territory
7. Expression
Game as drama
Game as self-discovery
4. Challenge
Game as obstacle
course
8. Submission
Game as pastime
Game Tuning Workshop