Memegame

GAME DESIGN DOCUMENT

Memegame

Game Name:

Memegame

Authors:

Joshua Fraser

Brendon Resheske

Rimaskeb Cobson-Cobbold

Game Concept

Memegame is a multiplayer game that aims to make a movement on a map which can be designed by the players choice. Up to four players can play against each other on the map containing many platforms and obstacles that players may use. There are a variety of weapons that players can use to dispatch their opponent as well as positive and negative power ups which may be utilized to gain an advantage.

Genre

Memegame is a small race to the finish board game.

Design Goals

For our board game the two main design goals

1.    Game board that tells an actual story progression the gives the players several path choices depending on the game layout from the players

2.    Relatively simple to understand and easy to start game play.  We intended for the audience to easily relate to the ideas and concepts; meme content is relevant to modern culture.

3.    Memes are a large part of modern pop culture, but are quickly changing.  The game was designed to be adaptable to future variations of memes.  This design could also be implemented into a digital game where the users have the ability to customize the game to the memes they desire.

4.    The game design does not include a game board.  The first version of the game included a monopoly-like board which limited the players to only once specific board.  We changed this to include game cards instead of a board.  Now, the board is made up of many game cards placed side by side.

5.    A lot of modern board games are designed where people take turns executing actions, then they wait for their again.  We addressed the problem by allowing each player to actively participate in each turn.  

With these in mind we hope to achieve a game that brings players fun, immersion, competitive and power.

Target Audience

Our game is target towards social gamers who enjoy playing competitive games amongst friends. It is appeal to the market of gamers who currently play games such as board games. The game will be suitable for the large portion of people who are interested in purchasing board games. 

Additionally, this game targets players who prefer smaller games which are easier to set up, and easier to break down.  This game could be played multiple times over the course of an evening.  The simplicity of the core mechanics will make the game more appealing to our target audience.

Flow Chart

Game flow summary

1.    Players first design the layout of the game board.

2.    Player select the character to use during game play

3.    Player will roll a dice to begin

4.    There are some obstacles during game and various operation to be perform during game play

5.    The first player to make it to the exit wins the game

·      Picture of the game board.

Narrative

Memegame recognises no particular narrative.  Memegame is targeted to players who prefer shorter game time and easy game breakdown. 

World and Settings

The game world consists of game cards.  Each world may be sorted and arranged as the players see fit.  The game cards represent the only places a player can be at one time; players cannot leave the game world.  Cards may consist of a meme which instructs players on actions which must be immediately taken.  Game cards may also be blank, ending the player's turn. 

World Objects     

The world consists of meme cards only.  The only thing players hold is the distance from the finish, relative to their opponents.  Some meme cards allow players to make a choice between knocking back an opponent, or boosting themselves forward.  The player may choose to use this item as they see fit.

Objective

The objective of this game is to reach the finish before any of your opponents do.   The first one to the finish wins. 

Core Mechanic

Originally, the core mechanic was developed unintentionally.  The later revisions of the game focused on it.  As shown above in the flow chart, the core mechanic revolves around players allowed to interact during every single turn.  If it is your turn, you are guaranteed to interact with the game world.  If it is not your turn, you are likely to interact with the game world.

This is an example of one game turn:

·      Player one starts the game, rolls the die and moves their character. They land on a green meme which gives them an extra turn.

·      Player one rolls again, moves again, and lands on a blank space.

·      Player two rolls the die and lands on a meme which allows him to send player back by the number on a die roll.

·      Player one now needs to roll a die to fall back a number of spaces, and take the action presented on the card they landed on.

This will continue until the turn is over.  The core mechanic of the above example is that player one was granted a turn when player two forced player one backwards.  These actions are to be repeated until everyone has completed their turn.  Additionally, players may grant other players turns via meme cards, so this process may take significant time to finish, allowing all players to participate.

Game Rule Book

Memegame

1. Introduction

•       Memegame is a multiplayer game that aims to make a movement on a map which can be designed by the players choice. Up to four players can play against each other on the map containing many platforms and obstacles that players may use. There are a variety of weapons that players can use to dispatch their opponent as well as positive and negative power ups which may be utilized to gain an advantage.

•       Memegame is designed for two or more players.

•       The average duration of one game is five to ten minutes.

2. Game Contents

•       Meme cards

•       Start and finish cards

•       Two dice

•       Player pieces

•       Rulebook

3. Game Setup

•       Players need to set up the board first. The board is arranged by shuffling the meme cards and placing them on a flat surface connecting them sequentially.  There should be a road from the start card to the finish card.

•       Players all start by placing their game pieces on the start card.

4. Starting a game

•       Players roll a die to determine who takes a turn first, then the next player is chosen by a clock-wise location.

5. Gameplay and Turn Sequence:

•       The sequence of actions is shown below.

 Move

Resolve Combat

•       Players roll a die when it's their turn.

•       Turns may be created due to other player's actions, all turns must be executed immediately until no more turns and actions remain. 

•       When the turn ends, the next player (clockwise) will begin their turn.

6. Special Conditions

•       When a player lands on a blank game card, their turn ends.

•       When a player lands on a meme card, the action must be executed immediately.

•       Actions may result in other actions, continue until none remain.

7. Winning/Scoring

•       The winner is determined by the first player to reach the finish.  Games will always result in a clear winner.

8. Gameplay Variations

•       The game board may be edited as the players see fit.  Bridges may be put between game cards to allow players to take shortcuts.  More or less meme cards may be placed depending on the players needs.

9. Examples of Gameplay

Three players get together and shuffle the cards.  They put down blank cards and meme cards semi-randomly. The player then take turns rolling a die to see who goes first, since highest wins and player one rolled a six, he goes first.  Player one rolls a three and moves ahead three spaces.  He lands on a red card which gives another player an immediate turn.  Player three is delighted to hear he is chosen to take an immediate turn.  Player three rolls a four, lands on a blank space, and ends his turn.  Since only a single turn was executed, it is now player two's turn, because he is in the next clock-wise position to player one.  Player two rolls a six and lands on a green card which immediately gives him another turn.  He rolls a three, moves, and lands on a meme card which forces him to roll to go back a number of spaces.  He rolls a three again, and move back to his card that gave him another turn.  He takes this turn again and rolls a six.  He lands on an empty space ending his turn.  Player three now gets his turn, he rolls a six and lands on an extra turn, rolls again and find that he landed on the finish! Player three wins the game.

10. Credits

Memes created with memedad.com and imgur.com.