Game Design for conflict resolution

1. Ideas That Matter
Shedding Light Not Heat
MadFlatter Blueprint
Design Issues 2008
Charles Sheppa
Luke Pirie
Rob Cape
1

2. Group Project, 26 September 2008
DESI321, Design Studies, University of Otago
Luke Pirie, Rob Cape and Charles Sheppa.
2

3. Contents
04 Overview
05 Formative Research
06 Precedents
08 Game Dynamics & Components
10 Personality Types & Scenarios
12 Game Interaction
16 Media
17 Strategy and Opportunity
18 References
19 Appendix
3

4. Overview
Conflict in a Shared Space Our Solution
There are universally common problems and By using education as a tool to help people
conflicts within a shared living space. Within aged 18 - 25 examine and understand
these spaces different personality types conflicts we hope to give individuals a
come into contact and occasional conflict. better chance of taking on these complex
Each of these personality types have different issues themselves. By shedding light on the
methods for dealing with these conflicts. effects of choices that individuals make to
resolve conflicts; we hope to give a greater
Often the way individuals choose to interact understanding of three things. How people
with others effects many other aspects of personally solve disputes, how this may be
the relationships in a home. If a person does interpreted by others and the importance of
not understand the effects of how they collaboration when trying to solve a conflict.
communicate, the odds that their message
will be misunderstood greatly increases. Our teaching tool, an interactive game, allows
the user to play through a conflict without any
Due to these complexities designing to real life consequences. Watching the reaction
suggest the best way to resolve these and movement of a conflict, playing on both
conflicts is a ‘wicked‘ problem. A number of sides of right and wrong. However the game
additional issues and unknowns stem from does not preach to the player, it cleverly
the original problem. The design must be hides a layer of subversive education within
developed to address the huge variety and the complex style of a fun1st person puzzle
complexity present in these interactions. solving adventure game.
4

5. Formative Research
Key Research Elements:
The most common personality types and
the method that they commonly deal with
resolving conflicts.
The value of game play in teaching and the
best ways to use games to achieve reflective
learning practices.
The existing programmes and games that aim
to inform people how to resolve universally
common conflicts.
Common conflicts within household
environments that applied to the immediate
target demographic.
The development of serial games and the
benefits of this type of release.
How to share games and develop fans on
social networking sites such as Facebook.
It is important to note that Madflatter is
design driven and research informed.
5

6. Precedents
Looking into other existing ideas that shared similarities to our key
objectives we found several related concepts.
Peace Foundation programme for Students learning through games. Virtual environment for learning.
resolving conflicts.
The Cool Schools programme teaches With the ever increasing use of gaming As Freitas and Oliver state “‘other worlds’
individuals to use conflict scenarios as an consoles, home computers and online can indeed accelerate learning, allowing the
opportunity to build positive relationships games, it is imperative that educators use learner to ... Participate within the ‘world’
with others. Non-violent, constructive, these tools to reach the targeted users. and to reflect upon their relationship when
cooperative, win/win solutions to a problem Despite the vast amount of criticism that viewed from outside of it, reinforcing learning
are negotiated. Agreements are made digital games receive, the reality is that through empathy or ‘being there’, whilst
which are mutually acceptable to all parties simulation style games are here to stay allowing sufficient space for reflection. This
”
concerned. Madflatter is more subversive in so we need to harness their potential, not ability to create a fun learning environment
its method of teaching, as it lightens the tone demonize them and disregard their potential outside of everyday life is the main advantage
through comedic game play to such an extent for teaching. “There is a class of games that games have over traditional teaching
that the morality of the message should only include an element of simulation ... that is methods. The user enjoys ‘playing’ while they
effect the user on an indirect level. This is an increasingly viewed as having educational are subconsciously learning, and later in real
informed decision that came from research potential (e.g., Mitchell & Savill-Smith, 2004: situations the user is able to reflect upon the
on the benefits of reflective learning. p. 20). choices they make in the virtual environment.
6

7. Facebook application for conflict sharing. Facebook application for your character profile. Framework for evaluating educational games.
Due to the research gathered on game the table. The concept of the site is based The Psychologist in a Box application, creates
play it was essential that existing games on actually trying to solve the problems in a user personality based on user’s answers
were analyzed to find how they might be a mock democracy, a massive undertaking. to a series of questions. The program is
improved. Real Verdict, is a web site that However the site’s low traffic and lack of designed to evaluate and display your overall
uses the Facebook interface to advertise, the serious articles suggest that people may not personality type and mirrors a significant
application itself is a web site link. On the be willing to share actual conflicts, and the portion of our elements. However the
site users with a dispute introduce conflicts anonymity of the interaction seems to create application uses a survey based system to
to a virtual legal system comprised of their a lack of serious responses in many cases. evaluate the user’s profile types and does not
peers; or in this case, the site’s other users. Essentially the concept of the site boils allow them to see how their behaviors affect
Though this to a degree allows individuals down to a medium for arguing and though it others nor does it give an idea of where its
to have mediation from a third party, the gives voices to both sides, it does not claim estimation comes from. This sort of gaming
site’s confrontational style of pitting the two to resolve the conflicts, merely produce an experience is not interactive and certainly
sides against each other, in many ways only outlet for fun. not immersing, so from the framework for
expands the scope of conflicts brought to evaluating games there is a small likelihood
that it would have educational merits.
7

8. Game Dynamics &
Components
Diagram shows an overview of how to solve the puzzle.
Game play
The game play of MadFlatter is in the environment that become modifiable after The players interaction with the environment
style of a 1st person adventure game, a completing the conversation successfully. is primarily click and click and drag allowing
genre which pits players against interactive This method keeps a conflict and character the player to explore and interact with
environments and puzzles that advance a interaction central to the game play, but does objects and make choices in an interactive
story line. This style of game does not have not make the entertainment value solely manner. This form of interaction is both highly
a scoring system, but rather rewards players dependant upon it. It also supports dialogue enjoyable and easy to learn. Allowing novice
by challenging them to unlock items in the that deals with elements in an environment gamer’s the chance to enjoy the game.
environment. MadFlatter environments that can be altered, appropriate because
consist of two puzzles which coincide but shared space conflicts are typically central Since this style of game eventually reaches
must be solved in a specific order. The to an item in that space. The first person an endpoint, the end reward of the game is
first puzzle is an interaction between the style also places the character directly into the player receiving a ‘key to their flat mates’
player and a character, central to a conflict the environment without using an avatar in heart’ indicating their completion of the
and consists almost entirely of dialogue. a hope to provide a sense of personalization puzzle. For now these keys behave as merely
The second puzzle is with objects in the and accountability to the game play. a reward item but offer future potential to
unlock additional content.
8

9. Environments Puzzles
The environments that were chosen are absurd environment and puzzle or the entire The environments also contain interactive
the shared spaces in a flat. The kitchen, flat could host a puzzle with multiple rooms. elements that form puzzles. The game
bathroom, toilet, living room, laundry and Additionally, though the environments appear uses an inventory system, which effectively
so on, are where we most logically felt the more or less realistic at first glance, they do allows players to combine objects in the
game would produce identifiable scenarios. host unrealistic items to increase their appeal. environment when moving from one
However, these environments each have For example, the kitchen has a dwarf hiding viewpoint to another. Also a series of
several different potential conflicts within in the cupboard, a possum hiding under interactive objects within the environment
them, and have further potential to change the sink and a giant fly in the fridge. These can be dragged onto each other to combine
in scale and presentation. One environment fantasy items help provide the imaginative them. These puzzles rely on changes or
could have not only different objectives and comedic elements that hopefully make items gained from the conversation elements
but also different puzzle and game play interaction with the environment more but are still interactive before resolving the
altogether. Conflicts could occur within entertaining and reward users for exploring. conflict. In our example the player must
objects in the environment or combine finish the conversation to be able to see
environments together. For example, a the opossum under the sink, then solve an
refrigerator in the kitchen could contain an environment puzzle to get rid of it.
9

10. Personality Types and Scenarios
Shambolic Shane Benighted Bob Nasty Nicole Emo Emily Lonely Larry
Non - Conscientious Lacking Openess Non - Agreeable Neurotic Highly Introverted
The Big Five
Madflatter’s characters are based on ‘The Big By exaggerating these personality types in For example, an individual lacking openness,
Five’, personality types. Psychologists use the game’s characters, the player experiences characterized by stubbornness and insisting
these five factors to describe behaviors of the way in which these personality types that they know best, in our second scenario,
individuals as it relates to their personality. may interact or react to the user’s attempts wants to keep the television remote in a
Psychological studies looking at the to solve the conflict. The exaggeration also dinosaur mouth, an exaggeration of a solution
way these five dynamics of personality: makes the characters more recognizable likely to cause conflict. The player’s puzzle
neuroticism, openness, agreeability, and hopefully more assignable to user then revolves around the user retrieving
conscientiousness and extraversion, experiences. the remote from the dinosaur. This kind of
affect the way in which people approach humorous exaggeration allows for certain
conflicts, guided our scenario and character Characteristics of the big five were also aspects of the character’s personality and
development. considered in the creation of a likely scenario. their behavior to be focal in the puzzle.
Characters will stem conflict playing off of
traits of their personality.
10

11. Solution
unproductive highly unproductive
responses responses
avoidance aggressive
The diagram above is known as the ‘Slippery Slope’ Model.
Dialogue Development
Developing the conversations between the However, the slope model only encompasses player because this personality type was
player and the character requires a balance two types of responses: aggressive and shown to be unlikely to use competing as
of teaching and game play components. The avoiding. Our second model includes four a method of conflict resolution. (Citation
concept for the conversation was drafted total methods: competitive, accommodating, needed) Lastly, the dialogue was aimed at
from a combination of two conflict models. avoiding and collaborative, selected from poking fun at commonly found, yet generally
The first, the ‘slippery slope’ conflict model, studies that linked the big five personality ineffective techniques of addressing conflicts.
allows players to observe the effects of types to these four methods of conflict Hopefully including these examples in the
highly unproductive choices by steering the resolution. Personality types that intuitively game will cause the player to reflect on their
player into them. For example if a player seem linked, or were shown to be linked, uses or responses to these techniques in
shows a small amount of aggression toward to one of these methods, will respond their own real life situations or conflicts.
the character, the next set of responses will according to that behavioral connection. For
increase in aggression, thus forcing the player example, a conscientious-lacking individual All these components together combine to
down a path away from the solution. like Shambolic Shane will not respond make an entertaining interaction that models
competitively to competitive inputs by the conflict between you and the character.
11

12. Game Interaction
This storyboard details how the player would interact with the game in order to
solve the puzzle.
Madflatter
Madflatter
PLAY Pick your conflict
OPTIONS
CONTROLS
ABOUT
Shambolic Shane Benighted Bob Nasty Nicole Emo Emily Lonely Larry
QUIT The Kitchen TV Room Dinner Table Laundry Room Toliet
The Madflatter home page where the viewer enters the game The user is then shown the available conflicts they can play. Each
and is greeted with a range of options typical of games. This page conflict has a different character with a different personality type
allows the user to change their options, controls and to read about within a different environment. The personality types and their
the objectives of the game. Alternatively the user can just jump behaviorism have been chosen from our research (refer to page 9).
straight in and play the game. The scenarios and environments are based on typical households
and the issues that the majority can relate to.
12

13. You are in the kitchen and so is Shambolic Shane
The user is then placed in the virtual environment where they The user may find out from the dwarf in the cupboard that Shane
are free to interact with Shambolic Shane or any of the clickable does not converse easily when he is hungry, or they may stumble
items in the kitchen. Shane however has a behaviorism where he upon the pie in the fridge by accident. In any case, they will then
attempts to avoid speaking to the user. So the user must explore need to click on the pie in order to add it to their inventory. Once
the environment and try to figure out how to get Shane to interact the user leaves the fridge, they are able to drag the pie onto
with them. Shane and begin to interact with him.
13

14. O. K. I’ll do the dishes if you kill the possum
I would feel a lot safer if you killed the opossum Click and drag items around to try kill the possum...
O. K., after I take care of the opossum
you clean out the sink
While conversing with Shane the player is able to choose different Once the player has unlocked the mystery puzzle piece (the
dialogue paths with different responses coming from Shane. opossum) they must interact with the items around the kitchen
Ultimately the player needs to choose to collaborate in order to in order to try and kill the possum and solve the puzzle. In this
unlock the missing puzzle piece (the opossum) and to get Shane instance the extension cord has been dragged onto the toaster
to do the dishes so that the player can get his key. as the toaster is not plugged in. Then the toaster has been pulled
down to the possum in the hope of electrocuting it.
14

15. O. K. I’ll do the dishes if you kill the possum
The user is then placed in the virtual environment where they The user may find out from the dwarf in the cupboard that Shane
are free to interact with Shambolic Shane or any of the clickable does not converse easily when he is hungry, or they may stumble
items in the kitchen. Shane however has a behaviorism where he upon the pie in the fridge by accident. In any case, they will then
attempts to avoid speaking to the user. So the user must explore need to click on the pie in order to add it to their inventory. Once
the environment and try to figure out how to get Shane to interact the user leaves the fridge, they are able to drag the pie onto
with them. Shane and begin to interact with him.
15

16. Media
Creation
The implementation of our application will involve
the animations, user interface and functionality
being made in Macromedia Flash™. Adobe
Flash, or simply Flash, refers to both the Adobe
Flash Player, and to the Adobe Flash Professional
multimedia authoring program.
Adobe Flash Professional is used to create
content for the Adobe Engagement Platform
(such as web applications, games and movies,
and content for mobile phones and other
embedded devices). Flash is commonly used to
create animation, advertisements, various web-
page components, to integrate video into web
pages, and more recently, to develop rich Internet
applications.
Distribution
The flash files are embedded into Java script,
allowing us to host our application on social
networking sites such as Facebook, Bebo and
Myspace, as well as a stand alone game.
The game would be released in stages as a
serial on these social networking sites, but
the full version (including bonus stages and
characters) would also be available for purchase
for educational institutions and consumers alike. Diagram gives an overview of our production and distribution.
16

17. Strategy and Opportunity
Serial Releases
By releasing Madflatter as a serial game we Based on the three weeks taken for three people
are giving the users the opportunity to provide to develop one episode, the game would be
feedback that can help to develop better scenarios released on a monthly basis.
as well as giving them an opportunity to let the
developers know what they like about the game. Potential for Adoption
This is also highly beneficial for keeping up to date
with technology improvements. The subversive style of reflective learning this
game provides is one that could be adopted
Serial releases also maintain a high level of by designers for a wide array of different social
interest because of their fresh subject matter, conflicts. We wish to continue to develop this
whether it be political or social. Because this game from a prototype into a full serial if we gain
game has such potential for universal appeal, it is the appropriate demand and backing. However it
important that there is room for the game to grow is likely that this form of game will continue to be
to the point that it can become an iconic learning made for teaching purposes and we hope that our
tool world-wide. A comparison to the television game may be called upon as a valuable example
show The Simpsons would be an apt parallel to of subversive learning.
the way this may occur. The subversive morality
of their messages is disguised by humour that Educational Institutes
is common the world over, making it a piece of
popular culture that has come to be studied for Madflatter would also be a highly valuable learning
what lessons it teaches us. tool for people from 14 to 17 years of age. This is
due to the fact that these people are only a few
years away from coming into some social conflicts
with their peers. They are probably already having
inter-personal conflicts at home with their family’s
as well, giving them an immediate resonance with
the game. The games wit and absurdity should
also appeal to this demographic.
The Simpsons televised comedy serial .
17

18. References
Travers, Chris. “about us. realverdict.com. 19 Aug 2008. Radeon LLC. 19 Aug 2008
”
“Give Yourself Goosebumps. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 14 Aug 2008, 06:19 UTC. 19 Aug 2008
”
<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Give_Yourself_Goosebumps&oldid=231851907>.
“Facebook. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 17 Aug 2008, 11:23 UTC. 19 Aug 2008
”
<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Facebook&oldid=232475355>.
“Zork. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 8 Aug 2008, 22:29 UTC. 19 Aug 2008
”
<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Zork&oldid=230703744>
Roomster, “About Roomster. Roomster.com. 18 Aug 2008. Roomster Incorporated . 19 Aug 2008
”
<www.roomster.net>
Squared, J “Facebook sticky notes application. Jsquared world. 4 July 2007 J Squared Media. 19 Aug 2008
” .
<http://jsquared.wordpress.com/2007/07/04/facebook-sticky-notes-app-passes-100000-users/>.
Facebook, “How to build an app. Facebook.com. 18 Aug 2008. Facebook. 19 Aug 2008
”
<http://www.facebook.com>
Sande, Ken. Peacemakeer. 3rd. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2004.
18

19. Appendix
Agreeable Personality Type Puzzle
Living Room Environment objects:
White Board Dinosaur Remote Couch Television Prune Rug
Tina Character
I’m not getting It appears to be
near that It needs a remote a rug made of
What are you doing? Why is there a Nice dinosaur
dinosaur here? prunes
I’d like to change
Watching Thanks he’s a people the channel but I’d
We needed somewhere
exoflex900 eater also like to live
to keep the TV remote I don’t want to use
commericials
my burritos on that
What can you That seems like a Isn’t that dangerous Prune wrapped
tell me about the horrible solution burritos
exoflex900? Where can you get a Other Objects
Interesting, well can dinosaur these days? Old burrito kit
Why are you you get him to Under Couch (with meat)
Lava Lamp
watching that? change the channel?
How did you train Main Couch
What is that smell? him to do that? Not as long as he Turns on/off
isn’t upset
They aren’t ready to
I don’t want to watch cook yet Lava Lamp on
Explains its TradeMe
Well I don’t trust anyone this dumb show
awesome
with the remote Lava Lamp off
I don’t think he’ll eat
Because its on Nope but you’re welcome that yet
and I can’t change I wouldn’t do touch that I don’t think they’re already
to try
the channel if I were you markers make that would cooked
him upset (dino growls) do anything
I bought him trained
Oh you mean the
Prune Rug? That’s Dinosaur’s Bowl
the smell of healthy
digestion. That seems dangerous
Threaten to rub her down in seasoning
which she claims won’t work becuase the dinosaur looks like
won’t attack her dino’s food
Why not? bowl
So why don’t you Threaten to write angry note. Which she
claims would be bad because markers and notes Unguarded Cooked prune
do something Dinosaur Bowl wrapped burritos
else? make the dinosaur hungry, (dino growls)
Explains dinsaur has
been eating things Yeah well maybe we’ll deal with this later
and is now holding (Dinosaur eats you and she makes him spit you
Why do we have the remote back out) Environment objects
a prune rug?
You’re totally so so 1st person responses
Do you eat the (Earning the trust of Unagreeable
prunes? right, how blinded I’ve personality type) You reveal embarrsing secrets She orders Tina responses
been by television..ect such as bedwetting until she feels she can trust dinosaur to
sarcastic Animated Action
you with the remote give up remote
Inventory Item
Dinosaur accidentally swallows remote Puzzle Solved Remote and
It’s art deco during this animation dinosaur moves Heavy weight lines
Key are found in droppings indicate solution paths
away from his bowl leaving it unguarded
You could, but I’ve
been walking on them...
19

20. Environment Object non -conscientious Personality
He’s just grumpy
Dragable Object Environment Puzzle:
I live here because he hasn’t
Animated Action eaten in a while
1st Person Response
What are you What is wrong
Character Response doing in here? with Shane??
Name’s Limley
I’m not touching It’s an extension
those they look cord, dunno why Dings Hisses Who are you?
No Response dangerous its on the floor
Shane Character Refridgerator Dishes Extension Cord Toaster Kettle Dwarf Closet
Inside Fridge
No reason to do
that
Pie
Actions available before
conversation complete
Complete Conversation
(see map page 15)
Additional actions only
after conversation
Possum Closet Opens Possum Sink Bolt
Plugged in toaster
Water spils out
Electrocuted Wet Possum Puzzle Complete
Wet Possum
20

21. 1st person responses non -conscientious Personality Yeah okay I’ll eat that, I would’ve
Conversation Elements: Handed a pie cooked for myself you know,
Shane responses
but the dishes are dirty
Animated Action
I’m looking for a key have What is that noise
Did you just eat that entire pie?
you seen one around?
A key? Yep dropped that
No you devoured it in the sink by accident
like sea monster Angry who? That my friend is the sound
Well I mean I got it out... under those dishes there
of a pissed off marsupial
ate some... but then I put it
back You accidentally dropped a Totally bro
Oh yeah oops
Whose dishes are they? Why are they bubbling?
key in the sink?
Did you know that
Yep or actually I might have Where is it coming
Mine, they’re mine there’s Freaking who knows whats in marsupial is latin for
I don’t think that’s Maybe that is what put it there, seemed like a from exactly?
Oh, I see some forks and plates in that freakin hell hole bro big ol’ pouch
quite exactly right happened good idea at the time.
there and I would sooo totally
do them if there wasn’t a Little critter is being ....Yeah I knew that
Oh yeah you’re right Yea bro you must
Yeah so can I get rightous little opossum held away from my
sorry I will so make have blacked out
another one? bogarting the soap under food under the sink
you another or something
the sink ya know?
Yeah I’m sure Wow! That’s crazy! Hmm, I see... Quite the problem hm..
Swear it to you bro That’s what I’m saying Totally Yeah no kidding
Whoa, Whoa settle down How about I write
with the anger bro I would you a note to remind Yes that is What if we created a win-win
so do them but I am not you to do them on a DEFINITELY environment of pro-active
You never do the I SO hear you
Yeah doing stuff authoritative looking the solution emotionally safe emotions??
dishes just man up getting near a opossum
is for sqizzares on that one piece of yellow sticky (sarcastic)
paper
Ha, you know the shane- I would feel totally safe with
miester has friends at all Yeah how could you Okay well attention! you if the opossum was gone
I bet you’d have more Exactly bro Okay well attention!
ends. Maybe you’d have do dishes when there is Newer rule! okay so!
friends if you did them can’t and won’t New rule! You must
more if you weren’t nag a opossum?? that rule, and its
central wash your dishes Okay, after I take care of the
immediately after creator must do my
opossum you clean out
using them to cook dishes on every
Why are you afraid Awesome bro the sink
Yo bro don’t judge I just Okay, fine, I’ll do em day ending in day
of opossums you wuss yeah totally
don’t really get down
with little critters Err well this just Hah that’s a deal.
haha uhh let’s talk Shane passes
Screen: Radioactive Good luck
about something else gas
dishwater has melted
the skin on your hands opossum cabinet opens
conversation element done
21