There are a number of characteristics shared by "good games."  However, before we try to make the game "good" let's just try to make it "work!"

 

Most games have:

• CONCEPT
• Monopoly-buy and sell (economics)
• Chess-outmanuever and eliminate your opponent
• Snakes and Ladders-first to get to the end
• GOAL
• How do you win?:  be the first to reach the end (Snakes and ladders), gain 10 points (Settlers of Catan), eliminate the opponent (checkers), capture the king (chess), etc. 
• TURNS
• Sequence:  There must be a way to determine the order of play
• Tasks:  Each turn must have specific things to accomplish:  select the next card (Sorry!), move a piece (chess), roll the dice and collect resources and buy and trade
• Choices:  To be interesting and challening, each turn should require the player to make some choices.
• PIECES
• Board: Your game should have a board to play on (think Monopoly or Life or Sorry or Setters of Catan).
• Pieces: to move around the board

 

Assignment:

1. Make a draft version of your board (on paper)
2. Write the rules for your game in a "How to play _____"
3. Due Tuesday, April 6 at beginning of class.