Strategy game explained

1. +
Welcome to
Strategy Games!
Kathleen Mercury

2. +
Some call them eurogames,
some say designer games,
but we’re going to just call
them strategy games.

3. +
Games are Fun!
 Games have provided humans the opportunity to engage in
mental challenges, social interaction, recreation, and
competition for thousands of years.
 Many new games are introduced each year, but few are
successful enough to merit production in subsequent years.
 You, however, will create a classic bound to be played for all
eternity.

4. +
Luck vs. Strategy
 Linear Path to victory
 Few decisions
 Few pros vs. cons
 Unequal knowledge
 No reason to plan strategy
 Similar experience
 Multiple paths to victory
 Many decisions
 Many pros vs. cons
 Equal knowledge
 Can play strategy that takes
many turns
 Different experience every
game
Luck Strategy

5. +
Candyland
http://www.lscheff
er.com/CandyLan
d.htm

6. +
Gamers Are Funny
www.boardgamegeek.com

7. Ideal Characteristics of
a Strategy Game
FUN
Interactive
Competitive
Cool Idea
Product matches
expectations
Creative
Frustrating
Purpose
Anything Else?

8. +
Strategy Games
www.boardgamegeek.com

9. +
Characteristics of Strategy Games
 Emphasis is on player decision-making, not luck
 Inventive mechanics (what players do)
 Allow for multiple strategies to win
 Board and bits use symbols, not words, to create language
independence
 A “clock”: A specific time-keeping device designed to keep the
game length consistent between plays
 Examples include a set number of rounds, cards, when a particular
resource runs out, or some other configuration
 No more endless games!

10. +
Components of a Strategy Game
 Ideas
 Theme
 Objectives
 Mechanics
 End Game &
Victory
Conditions
 Tangibles
 Rules
 Board
 Bits

11. A specific subject or scenario world is created in which to immerse
players.
All elements of the game should reflect the theme.
Theme

12. +
Objectives
Stated goals players must achieve by the end of the game to win.
More complex games give players many different ways to achieve their
objectives, but they are harder to create.

13. The specific physical actions players must undertake to win.
In the case of Ticket to Ride, the mechanics are Card Drafting, Hand
Management, Route/Network Building, and Set Collection.
Mechanics

14. +
Rules
Successful rules clearly and concisely communicate to players what they need to know and what they
need to do in order for them to play the game as you intend for it be played.
In other words, you want to create an experience for players; the rules are the only way for players to
achieve that experience.

15. +
End Game & Victory Conditions
 The event that triggers the end
of the game.
 The method of determining the
game winner.
End Game Conditions Victory Conditions

16. +
Game Designer Roles
 Game Player
 Motivator
 Graphic Designer
 Writer
 Engineer
 Salesman
 Public Relations
 *Negotiator

17. +
Game Designer Skills
 Communication
 Written, verbal, visual, aural, persuasive
 Observation and listening
 Playtesting
 Creative Thinking
 Resourcefulness
 Innovation
 Analytical Thinking
 Attention to detail
 Troubleshooting
 Teamwork & Independence

19. +
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO
• Roll and Move
• (or similar luck-
based movement)
• Killing or non-school
appropriate weapons
• War themes
• Sports themes
• Player elimination

20. +
The End Result
You will have created a complete physical prototype that is a testament to
your ideas and execution. It is a real product that others will be really
interested in.
http://boardgamegeek.com/article/5977099