CreatingaGameWorldofYourOwn

Now that we have discussed games as worlds of their own and how those game worlds work using Bogosts theory, it is time to put our knowledge ofgamesand gametheoryintopracticebydesigninga games! Yes, Project 3 requires you to design a game. Youll also be in charge of designing at least 1 promotional material foryourgame,possiblyagamebox,poster,orvideotrailer.Notonlyisthismeant to be something you can have fun with, but its also a project which will ask you to consider your audience carefully and gain experience withnewkindsofproductionsoftware,andhowtheelementsof a game work together to reach a specific audience, just like successful writingdoes.Inthisunitwewill exploreJesseSchellsElementalTetradasameansofdesigning/discussingthegameyouvecreated.

Whatarewedoing?
For this project, you will need to create a functioning game (using tools of your choice), a visual advertisement for your game, and a 1,000+ word reflectiononthisprocessbuildingonSchell.Youwill be discussing why you chosethegameengineyoudid,whatwentintocreatingthegameyoumade, and any additional documentation for it. I will not be restricting what approach to game design you take, however. That is up to you.Irecommendusingatextbasedgameandtoolsforcreatingone,however, those lookingforachallengeorinterestedinknowingmorearewelcometotoywithUnityorBlenderto createtheirgames.(Warning:itisfarmorework).

Howarewedoingit?
In short, youll 1.)comeupwithagameidea,2.)defineandelaborateonSchellsTetradasitrelates to your game, including a Theme, Story, Technology, Mechanics, and Aesthetics, 3.) choose game creation software that you are comfortable with and works with your game idea 4.) create your game using available tools 5.) create an advertisement for it (a trailer, game box, or poster), 6.) write a reflection of 1,000+ words which makes all of the above choices clear and focuses on defining the Elements in Schells Tetrad in your game, the process of making your advertising materials, and who yourgamesaudience.

WhatIsExpected?
Myexpectationfromthisprojectisforyoutodothefollowingthingssuccessfully.Doingexceptionally wellatthesethingswillmostlikelyleadtoanstronggradeonthisproject:
1. Selectingandtargetingaspecificaudiencecarefullyandusingvisualelements(color,tone, images,wordchoice,etc.)tocatertothataudience 2. Thoroughengagementwith(andexplanationof)howSchellsTetradinformsyourgame 3. Thoroughreflectiononwhattoolsyouusedtodesignyourgame/adandwhyyouchose them/howtheyenabled/limitedyou. 4. Informeduseofimagesinthegameitselftocomplementthewrittentext.

NOTE:AnyconcernsIhaveaboutyourprojectwillbeaddressedbothduringourconferences andwhenyoureceiveyourprojectback.NothingguaranteesanAonmypapers,butanything thatkeepsyoufromanAIwilltomakeclearuponreturningpapers.Feelfreetoaskifyoustill havequestions.

WhyAreWeDoingThisProject?
Learning about theory and videogames is fun (well, maybe not for you, but I certainly do think so!). Theory, however, can only help so much to understand how these processes work.IanBogostmakes clear in The Rhetoric of Videogames that games work using specific processes. Its much easier to see these processes in isolation and from a distance as a consumer of games than it is to understand them as a creator. In this case, you will be designing a game to better understandhowgamesoperate, not only as processes, but the processes which go into making them. ForBogost,ProceduralRhetoric and Procedural Literacy go handinhand, and in this case, were going to be further working to develop your procedural literacy, not only through the games weve played in class, but by designing one of your very own. Furthermore, this assignment and unit is designed to focus ontheimportanceof an audience and audience awareness. Every game needs aplayer,andeverypieceofwritinghas anaudience.Finally,thisprojectismeanttobefun.So,havefunwithit!

Logistics
Youwillberequiredtoprovideevidenceofatleast1previousdraftofallofyourmaterials,followedby afinaldraft.Thismeansatotalof6items(2draftsofyourgame,2draftsofyourvisual component,and2draftsofyourwrittencomponent)minimum.Additionaldraftswillnotbe required,butarestronglyadvised. Requirements: 1,000wordminimumforthewrittencomponent. Thisisahardlineminimum.Notmeetingtherequired1,000words(whichdoes notincludeheadersormarginalia)willresultinsteepgradepenalties. NOTE:Successfulwrittencomponentswillbecloserto46pagesinlength AFunctioninggame AVisualAdvertisementforyourgame(aposter,gamebox,magazinead, trailer,oranotherideayoucomeupwithand/orrunbyme) Formatting(VERYIMPORTANT): TimesNewRomanfont,12pointsize,MLAheader,andDoublespaced

GradeBreakdown
This project provides some unique challenges to our usual approach, as it is in many ways based on what is seen in final products than in drafts. Forthisreason,Isuggestdocumentingasmuchashumanly possibleintheprocess.YourProcessMemowillbeaccountedforinyourReflection,whichistheplace to account for the work youve done as well. So, make sure youre doing that and you include any strugglesyouencounteredasyoutriedtocreateyourgameintheprocess. FinalText:75%(150pts.) 45Points:AppealingtoYourAudiencewithYourAdvertisement 35Points:Discussion/ExplanationofHowYouUsedtheElementalTetradinYour Reflection 30Points:Discussion/ExplanationofYourComposingProcess(forBothYourGame andYourAdvertisement)inYourReflection 20Points:EffectiveuseofVisualsinYourGame(EspeciallyforyourAudience) 20Points:WritingMechanics/OverallPolish/FunctioningGame Process:25%(50pts.) 12Points:Workshops&Participation 8Points:Completefinalpaperportfoliowithalldrafts&processmemo 30Points:Therelativequalityoftheimprovementsyoumadethroughthedrafts.

DraftsandDueDates

FirstDraftofallItemsWorkshop:Thursday,November14th SecondDraftofallItemsWorkshop:Thursday,November21st FINALDRAFTANDALLPREVIOUSDRAFTSDUE:Tuesday,November26th