Paper Prototype
also known as: Non-Digital Prototype
Classification
- #method #medium #process #roles #used-by #tools …
Intent
- Speed up the prototyping process, enhancing productivity.
- Identify and address issues at an earlier production stage.
- Save time in digital prototyping iterations.
Problem
- Prototyping is a crucial process for testing designs and ideas, but it can be slow.
- Efficiently progressing through the development cycle can be challenging, particularly when digital prototyping consumes a big amount of important resources like time.
Solution Approach
- Begin your game design as a non-digital board game to test the gameplay before you invest time and money in digital prototyping.
Application
Input
- Game ideas and designs that can be tested and documented on paper.
- A scoring system that can be adapted to a board game format.
Application
- Transform your game into a board game.
- Create player tokens and other assets essential to the game.
- Determine how to translate game mechanics into board game rules.
- Convert digital turn-based combat into non-digital turn-based combat involving players or the game itself.
- For randomization, place objects/numbers in a bag for players to draw, or use dice.
- Sketch your game map on paper and allow player tokens to move across it.
- Use a clock for time measurement and counters for tracking in time-based levels.
- Test the board game prototype with various players, focusing on identifying flaws in the rule set and mechanics.
- Evaluate the balance of game mechanics.
- Assess the enjoyment factor.
- Analyze the map’s size and level of engagement.
- Apply the lessons learned from the paper prototype to the digital development of your game.
Output
- Analysis of the paper Prototype (a board game) that can be incorporated into the digital prototype. Should be documented in a Document.
- May include Drawings and Sketches.
When to Use It
- When time savings are a priority.
- When involving multiple players early in development without establishing technical multiplayer functionality.
- As part of the Gamespace Prototyping process.
Relevant Roles Using This Model
Relevancy in the Following Processes
- Gamespace Prototyping
- Game Development in the production phase.
Applicability
- Suitable when an existing ruleset and a clear game vision are already in place.
- Most effective in the early stages of production and prototyping.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Early identification of problems.
- Efficient problem-solving in design.
- Time-saving benefits.
Cons:
- Limited impact on technical and artistic development.
- Requires resources and player involvement to test the prototype accordingly.
- Translating digital rules to paper can be challenging, and score tracking may pose difficulties.
Relation with Other Methods
- Drawing a Map because a map of your level may be required.
- Lenses: Part of #16 The Lens of Risk Mitigation.
- Game Design Document to document the results and findings of your prototype.
Examples
-
Tetris as a Paper Prototype
- Create geometric pieces resembling Tetris shapes and place them in a bag.
- Draw the game board on paper.
- Have someone draw shapes and slide them down the board.
- Apply the rotation and shifting rules while sliding the shapes.
- To clear lines, either mentally visualize or pause the game to remove pieces.
- Track scores by recording them.
-
Halo as a Paper Prototype
- Create game characters and assign one player to control them.
- Designate another player as the enemy.
- Draw a map and position the characters on it.
- Establish turn-based rules for movement and combat.
- Simulate shots using a metronome, allowing one shot per metronome tick when an enemy is in sight.
- This system introduces a slow-motion effect, enabling analysis of gameplay elements.
Relevant Tools
- Non-digital Design Tools like Pen and Paper and Crafting Tools
- Digital Collection Tools to store pictures of your non-digital prototype.
Relevant Literature
Schell 2014 - A Book of Lenses
...