As a designer and educator, I believe my role is to craft an environment where things can happen: one in which participants can develop an idea, a dynamic, an experience, or challenge preconceptions. Designing a board game, in that sense, is nothing more than placing people in roles within a narrative but in contact with values from their daily lives. And, above all, leaving no one indifferent.
Narrative and Dynamics: The Right Combo
It all began with the desire to have people play the role of a politician within an invented state, something we are mostly disconnected from and only consume through the media. I wanted to place us on a different side of the spectrum from what we think, perceive about others and make it into action.
To achieve this, I started constructing a narrative to give those roles context, history, motivations, and reasons to act within the game\’s rules.
Paper and Feedback: The Prototype in Action
With the narrative and the initial version of the dynamics, I built the first prototype of the game. I crafted the pieces out of paper, called some friends, and had them play.
They played, I watched, took notes, and listened to their opinions. It was incredible to see how what I had envisioned went out the window, and something new emerged.
Feedback Highlights:
- The story provided everyone with context.
- Some rules were unclear.
- Laughter signaled that something was working.
- Unexpected dynamics surfaced during the gameplay!
With that feedback, I made changes to both the narrative and the dynamics, adding complexity in some aspects and simplifying in others. The versions that followed that first one incorporated the results of different test rounds.
An interesting aspect was finding the balance between modifying the game according to the comments and suggestions of the players and maintaining my intentions as the storyteller/designer. How to combine them to align with what players wanted from the game and my intentions to set a certain mood for those playing the game.
Next Move: What’s Coming Up
This game is still in development. Each time it’s played, new things arise, the narrative thickens, dynamics present new opportunities, and unexpected details appear. It’s not just about creating a game; it’s about making something that entertains and engages people but can also convey some ideas. In the next move, it’s my turn to blend that narrative with visuals, give it a visual identity, and connect these universes.
