Session Information
| Title | Creating Effective Rules (part 1) |
| Presenter(s) | Wendi Kavanaugh |
| Time | Saturday, October 18, 10:15a-11:15a |
| Location | Lake Huron |
| Format | Workshop |
| Description | Rules are simply the mechanic that makes a game function as a game, without rules there is not game. Writing rules is not simple. A game with too many rules can result in the player skimming and ignoring key steps. Too few rules can cause player to become frustrated and unable to finish the game or house rules are invented to allow players to finish. The key to writing rules is understand the mechanics of rules and how they relate to other game mechanics. This workshop is intended for game designers and researcher who wish to take a deep look into rules and rule writing through discussion and game play. Attendees will learn how to best structure their game rules. The workshop will begin with a discussion of rules, followed by an in-depth look at rules for both board and video games. Attendees will then break into small groups to play a game before coming back at the end to discuss the rules of the games they played in groups. Am annotated bibliography will be provided to all attendees. Note: Game designers can submit games for play. The game must be playable in 30 minutes or less. Designers can observe their games being played, but are asked not to stop the normal flow of game play to add missing information or rules. The number of games selected to play is based on workshop attendance. |