Applying new ideas to an existing game

Redesigning a Classic

Roller Revolution

In Tracy Fullerton's "Game Design Workshop: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games," readers engage in exercises redesigning classic games, such as adapting Tic Tac Toe to a 4x4 grid. This specific in-class project had us reimagine "Up the River" while retaining its moving tile mechanics with no other constraints.

Up The River

"Up the River" has straightforward mechanics: players aim to navigate their ships to the harbor while avoiding falling down the perilous waterfalls. Points are awarded based on the order of arrival at the harbor, with the first ship gaining the highest point value. Subsequent ships receive lower point values as they arrive. The game concludes when all ships are either safely docked or lost. The player with the highest score emerges victorious.

Redesign Process

  • 1. Play The Original

    Before strategizing changes to "Up the River," we played the game multiple times to grasp its theme and mechanics effectively.

  • 2. Consider A New Theme

    Roller derby was casually suggested as a potential theme for the reimagined game, yielding the possibility of incorporating unique game mechanics based on some real-life derby gameplay.

  • 3. Develop Original Game Mechanics

    The team researched roller derby gameplay, elements, and skater moves. We renamed the sandbar to Time Out and added two new game mechanics: the “slingshot” and the “body check.”

  • 4. Beta Test Playability

    We revised the initial rules, scoring, and mechanics and crafted a basic wireframe for game pieces and instructions. We presented these to other groups for playtesting in class, observed their sessions, and gathered feedback from classmates and additional playtesters.

  • 5. Revise and Retest

    We adjusted some game mechanics and added new features. We transformed the game into a free-to-download beta version with plans to potentially offer it as a premium game with high-quality components such as printed tiles, 3D printed skater icons, dice, an instruction booklet, and a box.

Final Thoughts

Playtesting is integral to the User Experience Design process. Through gameplay, observation, note-taking, and feedback analysis, we identify preferred features and mechanics. Ultimately, players engage only with experiences they enjoy.

There’s UX in everything, including games.

Creating a unique idea for a theme or mechanics can be arduous, especially under a tight time constraint. You want to embrace something memorable and engaging while not dull players. IDEO’s short list of Rules for Brainstorming can help with the creative process.

Game Design isn’t easy.

Don’t get caught up on specific semantics. Try things with an open mind; if they’re not working, change the game appropriately. Don’t get discouraged if one of your own ideas doesn’t work.

Make designing fun.

We still want people to playtest our game and provide feedback actively! The Roller Revolution button will download the game for free, and the Provide Feedback button will take you to a form to let us know how we did.

Try it out!

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