Board Game: Evaluating Work so Far:

Spider Diagram:

I started to evaluate my ideas by using a simple spider diagram. I would to further into the idea that games through out time had relied upon a few basic principles in order for them to work well and be classed as 'good' games. The main ones that i looked at were Rules, Age and interactivity. I really wanted to see how these affected the gameplay and if these were the actual reason for certain games still existing now.

Results:

From the spider diagram I was able to refine my ideas, and apply them to modern games in order to prove my point. Below is a list of, what I believe, to be the basic principles that are needed by most games in order to be successful:

• Teaching: Many of the worlds first games came around in order for children to learn and practice new skills in a way that they wouldn't get bored and that it would stick in the mind. For example chess teaches strategic thinking and competitiveness, whilst Monopoly teaches trading and bartering, all of which are useful in day to day life.
• Rules: Many of the games that have survived from the past and many of the best games from today have very simple rules which allow the game to be easily set up and played, and also allows constant flowing gameplay.
• Interactivity: Keeping a player interested and wanting to play on is a key part of every game, and to do this many games have some interactive elements, for example in chess once a piece is taken the player then removes that piece an early form of interactivity, whilst in more modern games such as monopoly you can now have credit cards which have to be balanced as well as varying types of house and hotel. All of which help to keep the player interested.
• Competition: Competition is the point of most games, to crown an eventual winner. This can be seen in any game from Chess, Scrabble, Zombies and Monopoly. This also links back to the idea of teaching as it teaches the child/player to have a good competitive appetite wether that be through strategic thinking or efficient playing.

Board Game: History of Board Games:

Source:

• http://www.blogger.com/goog_723811613
• http://www.techitoutuk.com/projects/boardgames/history.html

Secondary Research: Background research:

• Games began to develop as soon as there was a moment of leisure time not devoted to survival, and as as communications between individuals got beyond the basics of conveying elementary needs and movements into the realm of intention and ideas.
• Games have also been used through out history as a way of teaching children important ideas about life, giving them vital skills such as strategic thinking, coordination, rhythm as well as thinking ahead, all of which would have helped them survive daily life.

Secondary Research: The Royal Game of Ur:

Found in the Royal Tombs in Iraq in 1926, the game dates back to more than 2500BC. Four versions of the same board were found within the tomb, each made from slightly less expensive materials and with slightly less decoration. This shows that game spanned the a range of people, in case a range of classes, which is still a very important aspect of todays modern board games.

Results:

From looking at games from both the past and present it's interesting to see that many of the core ideas and concepts of board games still exist today. From this we can assume that these core ideas and components must be what are needed in order for a game to work well and appeal to a mass market.

Next Step: Evaluating work so far:


After looking at both games from the past and the present, I think it would be a good idea for me to look in more detail and expand upon the idea of the core concept and ideas carrying on throughout time and how they are still relevant today.

Board Game: Monopoly:

Source:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopoly
• http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeksearch.php?action=search&objecttype=boardgame&q=monopoly

Secondary Research: Research:

• Published by Parker Brothers a section of Hasbro, Monopoly was redesigned from a game called 'The Landlords Game' first published by political activist Elizabeth Magie. She designed the game to teach people how monopolies bankrupt the many and give extraordinary wealth to the few.
• Since the game was created in 1903, more than one billion people have played it.
• In 1941 the British secret service had a special version manufactured for prisioners of war in Germany, which contained maps, compasses, real money and other useful objects used to escape.

Primary Research: Playing the game:

Although monopoly has a rather long setup time, with the dealing out of money and the obvious fight for the racing car piece, it seems a lot more enjoyable than that of the setup for Scotland Yard. However, once Monopoly begins the game becomes instantly more interesting the race to earn enough money and the luck of landing on good property to buy all and to the intense thrill of the game. This is hightened further by the use of the chance and community chest cards as well as the annoying tax spaces, all this coupled with the competitive nature of the game create an enthralling experience which will encompase a range of ages. However, there is one downside to the game in that it can sometimes remove players early on in the play through just the bad luck of the player.

Results:

When designing our own board game there are many things when can take from Monopoly. I think the main thing with this game is its interactivity, the use of fake money and and the miniature houses and hotel give the game a completly different feel to many other games, and I this would be a good thing to try and include in our game. Also, I really like how many people who play Monopoly adapt the rules making the game much more personal to them in a number of different social circles. This ability to adapt really helps Monopoly be one of the most iconic board games ever and is something we should try and include in our game.

Next Step: Further Research:

After looking at two very iconic games, I want to look back at games from the past to see if many of the concepts I have spoken about so far existed then, I also want to look at games in a more cultural way to see how they have changed over the years, and how the audience has changed.

Board Game: Scotland Yard:

Primary Research: Playing the game:
After playing through Scotland Yard, its very obvious that this is a board game of two halves. The game starts with a very confusing set of rules that instantly baffles first time players and makes vetran players stumble out of the starting blocks. However, once the game is up and running and players are familiar with the simple game play, it becomes much more enjoyable and a hugely enthralling game. The team work and cunning used to win the game lends itself to a slow build up and a final hectic dash to chase down the ellusive 'Mr.X'. Another good part of the game is the two possible outcomes of the game, with either the 'hero' detectives of 'villian' Mr.X coming out on top.

Results:
When designing our own board game we need to take care not to make the same mistake of overly complicated rules, but also take on board the the idea of creating a sense of suspense through the pace of the game. I think that overall, Scotland Yard is a really good game it just has a few problems that hold it back a little.

Next Step: More Research:
Today has really moved me forward, and started the project off well. To further my research I need look more indepth at current day games and then move on to the history of games, from there I will be able to take a more difinative path.