Exploring the visible and hidden influences of technology on tabletop games. This presentation is the concise and annotated version of the lecture I gave in Google's Campus TLV, August 23, 2017

1. Connecting the Box
On Tabletop Games and Technology
Samuel Miller (@samtelegram)
Campus TLV, August 23, 2017

2. Physical to digital adaptation should not be straight forward

3. ADHD Card Game: Maria Vakolenko - Competitive Gameplay

4. A War for Peace Boardgame: Eliran Malka- Cooperative Gameplay

5. 1
2
3
Prologue

6. TableTop?

7. Boxed, bagged, in print or download, on table top or not…

8. 1
2
3
On the Surface:
3 Visible Influences

9. Full Gameplay
3 Visible Influences

10. Rules automation, remote or bot players

11. Full Gameplay
3 Visible Influences
Core App

12. Quick setup for complex games, timed challenges, Automated GM
3 Secrets

13. Full Gameplay
3 Visible Influences
Core App
Companion App

14. References, score sheets, odds calculators, sound sets for RPGs

15. 1
2
3
On the Surface:
3 Visible Influences
Meaningful Influence
On Product

16. Technology: engineering application of scientific principles

17. Mercury 360 Roulette by Cammegh: European roulette with digital output

18. Guess Who? by Theora Design

19. Production
Distribution
Consumption

20. Production
Research
Planning
Development
Testing
Pricing
Manufacturing

21. Manufacture resources are now more accessible than ever before

22. Game projects can be oversized, bespoke, printed on demand

23. Production
Distribution
Consumption

24. Marketing
Distribution
Sales
Logistics
Accounting
Shipping

25. Secret Hitler: US distribution only, with free DL2Print version

26. Open Source table top games with GNU, CC and OGL licenses

27. Open Source game design is paving the way in 3D printing

28. Production
Distribution
Consumption

29. Buying
Experiencing
Consumption
Sharing

30. Remote play platforms, reviews, YT shows, marketplaces

31. Production
Distribution
Consumption

32. 1
2
3
On the Surface:
3 Influences
Meaningful Influence
On Product
Meaningful Influence
On Game

33. D AM
Model of a Game

34. D AMechanics
Model of a Game
Mechanics are the core elements of design:
Cards, dice, capture, elimination, collection, and
hundreds more

35. Dynamics AMechanics
Dynamics are the behaviours derived from the
way Mechanics are structured together:
Competition, cooperation, combat, chase, 4X,
D20 and countless other gameplay constructs
Model of a Game

36. Dynamics AestheticsMechanics
Model of a Game
Aesthetics are the experiences that the player is
intended to undergo during the game: Sensation,
Fantasy, Narrative, Challenge, Fellowship,
Competition, Discovery, Expression, Submission

37. Dynamics AestheticsMechanics
Game designers work with their toolbox. It starts
with creating systems comprising game
mechanics, structured into dynamics in the goal
of achieving a desired set of aesthetics
Model of a Game

38. Dynamics AestheticsMechanics
The player is first experiencing the game, from
the perceived aesthetics, learning the dynamics
gradually and deciphering the mechanics
Model of a Game

39. Dynamics AestheticsMechanics
The player’s experience is the key to a successful
game
Model of a Game

40. Dynamics AestheticsMechanics
But designers cannot control the way these
experiences go
Model of a Game

41. Dynamics AestheticsMechanics
The way for a designer to achieve a desirable set
of aesthetics, is to constantly iterate, through
play testing
Model of a Game

42. Yut, Korea. Traditional games were organically shaped over centuries

43. LCD game board for D&D, designed by a player for personal use

44. ePawn (France) - Virtual game boards with NFC enabled miniatures

45. GSC (Berlin) - physical objects invoke sounds and virtual controls

46. Thank You!
Samuel Miller (@samtelegram)
Campus TLV, August 23, 2017