How does the group dynamic shift as the gameplay progresses?
This question is important because we want to make sure that the game plays out in alignment with our intentions and design. A simple role prototype can help us see how players interact over time. It’s likely we’ll encounter unexpected outcomes or dynamics that we hadn’t considered which will be crucial to refining the game’s structure and pacing.
Which aspects of the game benefit from tokens/cards to reduce cognitive overload?
This is important to consider because if the game becomes too mentally taxing, it could sour the player experience. A look and feel prototype can help us experiment with how information is offloaded into physical components. Cards, tokens, and other tangible elements can make complex mechanics more intuitive and manageable during gameplay.
Are the prototype mechanics complex enough to keep players engaged?
Similarly, this question is important to answer because if the game is too simple, we risk having a boring game. By developing a look and feel prototype and testing it, we can get a sense of how the game challenges players.
How can we leverage the unique affordances of the game’s format or medium to improve the design?
Every game medium offers an experience and feel that can’t be replicated by the other. It’s important to ask how we can design with those strengths instead of working against them. Through a look and feel prototype, we can explore how the game’s concept can be complemented by the unique affordances of its medium.
