Creating my first serious game was a rewarding experience. My group developed a game called Assault on Arrillaga, which aimed to educate players about nutritional needs. The game incorporated elements of competitive, serious, and reflective play. Initially, I wasn’t sure what to expect, and I certainly didn’t anticipate how complex the process would become. It was surprising how easily game mechanics could conflict with each other or even with the overall objective. We had several strong ideas, but we had to set some aside to maintain a clear focus on the game’s purpose.
In our game, players draw cards and build meals that meet specific nutritional goals. On their turn, players can draw either a food card or an action card, and they also have the ability to interact with other players by using cards from others’ hands to improve their own. This creates an additional layer of difficulty that reflects real-world challenges, such as busy schedules, limited food access, and other obstacles to maintaining a balanced diet. Understanding what nutrients a food provides, what it lacks, and how to pair foods together for sustained energy is a valuable skill. The game teaches this by offering nutritional information on a wide variety of foods, including their calorie content, and by guiding players on how to combine foods to meet their dietary needs.
One of the most important lessons I learned is that a good idea does not always translate into successful execution. Through each iteration of the game, we gained insights into what worked and what detracted from the core objective. I also learned the value of listening to player feedback and empathizing with the audience, which is essential for keeping them engaged. Encouraging and considering different perspectives is equally important, as it fosters the development of truly innovative ideas. I believe we were able to make significant improvements in a short amount of time because we remained open-minded and thoughtful about our role as game designers.
It was incredibly fulfilling to see players enjoy the game while feeling they had learned something valuable. Throughout the development process, my primary focus was on transforming an idea into a coherent and engaging physical game. To see players not only understand the game’s intent but also enjoy playing it was an immensely rewarding experience.
