For my 3D Interaction class, I went out and investigated the world of game design. From interviews with indoor and outdoor game experts and developers, I harnessed a clear understanding of what design principles and design requirements are meaningful in the creation of an indie folk game.

1. pedestrian play
an investigation
of public games
for adults
ALLISON LEACH 3D IX CLASS CALIFORNIA COLLEGE OF THE ARTS FALL 2012

2. Background

3. THE PROBLEM
Forgotten Play
Adults have forgotten how to play. Yes,
we schedule the occasional "game night"
or sports match on weekends - but that
spontaneous play from childhood no longer
has a place in our lives.
By surprising city pedestrians with an
inviting installation game in open public
spaces, I hope to reintroduce that experience
of joyful, child-like play into adult lives.
Further, I believe that the silly, permeable
nature of pedestrian games offers an
unparalleled opportunity to instantly bond
new people.

4. PEDESTRIANS
Potential Players
some statistics:
107.4 million Americans use walking as a regular mode of travel
(51% of the population).
People between the ages of 5 and 40 make up 33.7% of people walking.
People walk more for social and recreation trip purposes than for work
purposes. Exercise and health, errands, recreation make up some of the top
reasons for walking.
*Source: http://www.walkinginfo.org

5. PED GAME DESIGN PRINCIPLES
1 Portable and simple to set up
2 Compelling from a distance
3 Fun and easy to learn
4 Focus is on players and social interactions
5 Flexible game structure

6. Research

7. INTERVIEWS
5-min Intercepts Indoor Game Players (2)
Outdoor Gamer Players (2)
In-depth Expert Game Player (1)
Game Developers (3)
Urban Architects (2)

8. INTERVIEWS
Game Player Volleyball Player
Noah Mark
Facebook Game Developer CTO of a Start Up
"Games can function "Neither points nor Discovered his team "I enjoys the game to
as a bonding story are necessary for by walking over and get out of the house,
experience for friends a fun game" asking to play sweat a little, enjoy
and also as a forum for fresh air and get some
new social interactions Ideal pedestrian game: Obstacles in the way sun."
as an icebreaker" going on a quest with of playing: lack of time,
clues in Dolores Park busy weekdays, family
commitments

9. INTERVIEWS
Interviews
Joust Gamer Joust Designer
Volleyball Groups, Golden Gate Park
Dannel Douglas Wilson
Expert Gamer • Software Developer at Etsy Game Designer at Die Gute Frabrik
Prefers time as the Favorite game is Joust "Most digital games involve For physical games, body
competitive determinant because it "magically staring at a screen, but with motion has to be fun first.
rather than points combines people looking Joust players look at one
silly and hours of fun" another, creating a sort of A game's "Cultural Alibi"
"Games that don't entirely cognitive dissonance" lets players act the fool,
rely on skill are interesting No longer agile enough push each other and
because of the uncertain to play childhood street With few rules, players can make movements that are
outcome." games. cheat in creative ways. unacceptable in another
context

10. INSIGHTS
alluring
Meaningful impact
High social cost of on non-players
embarrassment
Simple & fun core
Fun but no room Audibly and visually
for hacking compelling from
a distance
obstacle-ridden permeable
Difficult set-up Complex rules
Crowded location Too lengthy
Busy day Not enough structure
off-putting

11. PERSONAS
Social Explorer Safe Spectator Fresh-air Athlete Tech Gamer
Is pulled outside on a Curiosity-driven to Seeks physical activity Always on top of the
sunny, free weekend watch people playing and fresh air latest and greatest in
in a public space gaming technology
Finds novel experiences Schedules a specific
and new people Prefers to keep some time on the weekend Enjoys playing both
rejuvenating distance from the for team sports virtually and in-person
game
Needs downtime from Desires a good sweat Prefers games with a
screen technology Enjoys the spectacle and an activity digital component
after a long work of watching players with strategy and
week and anticipating each socializing
one’s next move

12. SETTING
Time and Place
A sunny weekend
when where
A sunny weekend afternoon Open urban spaces − from parks to
when people have free time courtyards − which can quickly be
and are in a relaxed state. transformed into adult playgrounds.

13. Tech and Trends

14. TRENDS
Google, Samsung, PlayStation
in-person playing
With the Nexus Q, each player taps the top of
the orb with her Android phone or tablet, and an
NFC chip signals the device to open Google Play.
portable projector
Samsung's Galaxy Beam phone features a
built-in nHD projector which can instantly create
a 50-inch wide screen.
bright, smart & wireless
PlayStation Move controllers incorporate
Bluetooth technology, an accelerometer, and
alluring LED lights.

15. TRENDS
Die Gute Frabrik, GAFFTA
digital playgrounds
Johann Sebastian Joust is a no-graphics,
digitally-enabled playground game designed
for motion controllers such as the PlayStation
Move. As an installation game, it creates an
instant street performance.
Grey Area Foundation for the Arts is
currently hosting an Urban Prototyping
Festival in San Francisco.
UP challenges creative thinkers to reinvent
public spaces by designing engaging physical
and digital interventions - such as an urban
version of chutes and ladders.

16. MATERIALS
Plastic and Wood
bioplastics
bio-derived phbv, polyethylene
Sourced from starches, cellulose, or biopolymers.
Used for floor mats, packaging, grocery bags, toys,
bottles, home goods and flatware.
Environmentally friendly, durable, flexible, moldable
reclaimed wood
Sourced from timbers and decking rescued from
old barns, factories and warehouses.
Used for decoration, home building, architectural
details, cabinetry, furniture and flooring.
Green, high quality, strong, stable

17. Brand

18. Indie Game Company
Die Gute Frabrik
"We take classic play forms from
the past - be they physical folk
games from the playground
or adventure games from old
consoles - and breathe new life
into them with 21st century
technology and our own sense
of style and storytelling. "
Die Gute Fabrik ("good fabric") is a small games
studio based in Copenhagen, Denmark.
http://persuasivegames.com/

19. some statistics: brand attributes
Hand-crafted
Synaesthetic
Offbeat
Poetic
Personal

20. Product Journey
1 2 3 4
prototyping production promotion distribution
Participate in a Publish game with Establish online Distribute game
public, collaborative an organization such presence for selling to journalists,
game creation event. as the Copenhagen and community indie friends, and
Game Collective. building. . at public events
ex: for publicity and
Nordic Game Jam, Release game on Create awareness to create word-of-
Copenhagen chosen platform by hosting mouth buzz
(iPhone, PlayStation) spontaneous city
street games and ex:
Establish the playing at various GameZone,
manufacturing indie game festivals. Edge, On the
and distribution of Verge, Metacritic,
physical components ex: Eurogamer
IndieCade, LA

21. DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS
1 Mobile and sharable simple and low-cost
2 Game's structure requires silly behavior
3 Modeled after traditional folk games
4 Online platform for post-game community
5 Players' performance fascinates more than digital
experience underwhelming tech

22. thank you