Game Design
Resources
- Game Design Class Preparation Page
- Game Design Workbook
- Scoutmaster Bucky Game Design Notebook
- Scoutmaster Bucky's Merit Badge Advancement Quick Reference
- Scoutmaster Bucky's Acknowledgement Form
Related
Game Design Requirements Current Scouts BSA requirements
as of March 8, 2025
as of March 8, 2025
1.
Do the following:
a.
Analyze four games you have played, each from a different medium.
Identify the medium, player format, objectives, rules, resources, and
theme (if relevant). Discuss with your counselor the play experience,
what you enjoy in each game, and what you dislike. Make a chart to
compare and contrast the games.
b.
Describe four types of play value and provide an example of a game
built around each concept. Discuss with your counselor other reasons
people play games.
2.
Discuss with your counselor FIVE of the following 17 game design terms. For
each term that you pick, describe how it relates to a specific game: story,
setting, characters, play sequence, level design, interface design,
difficulty, balance, depth, pace, replay value, age appropriateness,
single-player vs. multiplayer, cooperative vs. competitive, turn-based vs.
real-time, strategy vs. reflex vs. chance, abstract vs. thematic.
3.
Define the term intellectual property. Describe the types of intellectual
property associated with the game design industry. Describe how
intellectual property is protected and why protection is necessary. Define
and give an example of a licensed property.
4.
Do the following:
a.
Pick a game where the players can change the rules or objectives
(examples: basketball, hearts, chess, kickball). Briefly summarize the
standard rules and objectives and play through the game normally.
b.
Propose changes to several rules or objectives. Predict how each change
will affect gameplay.
c.
Play the game with one rule or objective change, observing how the
players' actions and emotional experiences are affected by the rule
change. Repeat this process with two other changes.
d.
Explain to your counselor how the changes affected the actions and
experience of the players. Discuss the accuracy of your predictions.
5.
Design a new game. Any game medium or combination of mediums is acceptable.
Record your work in a game design notebook.
a.
Write a vision statement for your game. Identify the medium, player
format, objectives, and theme of the game. If suitable, describe the
setting, story, and characters.
b.
Describe the reason that someone would want to play your game.
c.
Make a preliminary list of the rules of the game. Define the resources.
d.
Draw the game elements.
You must have your counselor's approval of your concept before you
begin creating the prototype.
6.
Do the following:
a.
Prototype your game from requirement 5. If applicable, demonstrate to
your counselor that you have addressed player safety through the rules
and equipment. Record your work in your game design notebook.
b.
Test your prototype with as many other people as you need to meet the
player format. Compare the play experience to your descriptions from
requirement 5b. Correct unclear rules, holes in the rules, dead ends,
and obvious rule exploits. Change at least one rule, mechanic, or
objective from your first version of the game, and describe why you are
making the change. Play the game again. Record in your game design
notebook whether or not your change had the expected effect.
c.
Repeat 6b at least two more times and record the results in your game
design notebook.
7.
Blind test your game. Do the following:
a.
Write an instruction sheet that includes all of the information needed
to play the game. Clearly describe how to set up the game, play the
game, and end the game. List the game objectives.
b.
Share your prototype from requirement 6a with a group of players that
has not played it or witnessed a previous playtest. Provide them with
your instruction sheet(s) and any physical components. Watch them play
the game, but do not provide them with instruction. Record their
feedback in your game design notebook.
c.
Share your game design notebook with your counselor. Discuss the player
reactions to your project and what you learned about the game design
process. Based on your testing, determine what you like most about your
game and suggest one or more changes.
8.
Do ONE of the following:
a.
With your parent or guardian's permission and your counselor's
approval, visit with a professional in the game development industry
and ask them about their job and how it fits into the overall
development process.
b.
Alternatively, meet with a professional in game development education
and discuss the skills they emphasize in the classroom.
