PowerPoint Presentation

Tamara Tammy DenningTadayoshi Yoshi KohnoAdam Adam ShostackUniversity of WashingtonPractical Lessons From Creating the Control-Alt-Hack Card Game

Research Challenges for Games In Education and Research

.aka, a talk about cake. 3

You can have your cake and eat it too.

Primary design goal was for recreational, voluntary play

Evaluated (and published) on the classroom context

Diversify positive outcomes

Primary target audience was age 18-30 in CS and STEM

First interested (evangelizing?) group was security-minded

Diversify positive outcomes

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You cant have all the cakes.

PrioritizeTradeoffs between:Control over detailsCalendar timePerson-hoursCostQuality

PrioritizeTarget audience & play context influences:Graphic design & illustrationProperties of mechanicsLevel of technical detailJokes/references to includeMechanics choice

You dont have to start from scratch.

Pre-Existing MechanicsYoure probably not a master at gaming mechanics

Put your time & effort on the important parts

Use quality ingredients.

Locating ExpertiseMany people (can be) involved:

Mechanics DesignerLicense CoordinatorGraphic DesignerIllustratorManufacturerProduction ManagerTrademark LawyerDistributorRetailer

Decide how to serve your cake.

Distribution/Production DecisionsDownload and self-printPrint-on-demandDomestic (Smaller) Print RunInternational (Larger) Print Run

Distribution/Production DecisionsTradeoffs between:Cost per unitCustomizabilityQualityMinimum order size

Distribution/Production DecisionsAffects:TimelineGraphic Design/Illustration ParametersBudget

Can you have too much cake?

Games in the ClassroomRed Queen Effect

Games in the ClassroomRed Queen Effect

Excessive focus on mechanics

Games in the ClassroomRed Queen Effect

Excessive focus on mechanics

Oversaturation

What are the long-term consequences of cake?

Research and EvaluationMetrics for more nebulous goals

Research and EvaluationMetrics for more nebulous goalsIsolating conflating variables

Research and EvaluationMetrics for more nebulous goalsIsolating conflating variablesEvaluations for different stages/styles of research

Research and EvaluationMetrics for more nebulous goalsIsolating conflating variablesEvaluations for different stages/styles of researchResearch investment vs. research yield

Thanks. Questions?