We made a game. It is complete. My kids have played it constant for a week. This is a simple game which is only made on a couple pieces of notebook paper for a gameboard and hand drawn. The cards are crumpled papers with writing and thrown into a bowl for random play. This is only a game for little kids my daughte made it and she is 9. She and my youngest (7) love it and I played and think it is good game with a twist of funny facts and educational as she did some of it from computer researching and adding these to the game for humor but didnt realize it was educational for kids as well which keeps interest levels. I am wondering how much playtesting s enough to say it is ok and fun??? Is there such a thing as a game which is too simple indesign???
How much is enough????
I am going to have to get a copy of snakes and ladders and a copy of the rules for it. This is such a simple game I dont know how big the rules would be but cant be all that difficult
I will then have to get it more in shape for an actual prototype to send out to the publishers (after I find who to submit to).
Thanks for your reply so fast.
Hi leadingedge!
Just take you time with your rules! I just wan't to let you know that even though the game might be very smiple to write a good rulebook may be an art in itself!
With the game I am writing right now, and hope to puplish somewhen in the future I had written down the rules: (2 pages (A4/Letter-Format))
Still when I gave the rules to a friend of mine and said "Try this game" I realized how much I still had to change and optimize to get it better!
Proofread the rules!!!!
One trick that worked very good is having read out loud the rules by someone else. I think when hearing the rules sometimes there can be found some issues that a designer may have forgotten the first time round.
I will then have to get it more in shape for an actual prototype to send out to the publishers...
Wonderful! I have a new baby that will need some new and exciting games to play when he gets old enough, hopefully yours will be one of them!
There are plenty of posts here to help you get your prototype ready (everything from design to assembly). Also, check the protoparts section for some great tools to help you out!
Something else to consider, sign up for a slot in the Game Design Workshop. You will need to read over other games and give feedback, and then when your slot comes up, submit your rules for review. I have submitted 2 games and gotten back valuable feedback for both. It's not a substitute for playtesting or blind playtesting, but it is a valuable way to have your game assessed and critiqued by your peers in the game design world.
Interesting situation! I would say that a game doesn't need to be complex so long as it is fun and engaging. There are many games out there that are very simple yet engaging and fun.
The question isn't "is this game too simple?" but rather what do you want to do with this game? Are you looking to publish it yourself? To submit it to a game publisher? If your sole aim is to enjoy it yourself with your family, then your game doesn't need to be any more complex or "done" that your family wants it to be.
If you're looking to market the game (either yourself or through a publisher), then a few more steps are necessary. First of all, write down the rules. Any publisher willing to look at your game will want to read the rules first, so have them ready to go.
Next, playtest it more with others if you can. There's no such thing as too much playtesting. This is where you will see areas of the game that may or may not be too simple.
If you can, have a group of strangers sit down with the rules and play the game with no interaction from you (blind playtesting). Many times, a game designer will teach a group of playtesters not only the game, but the optimal way to play the game (even though this is often done subconsciously). Letting a group of strangers figure out the game will show you areas of gameplay that may need to be better explained.
Again, all of this is only necessary if you want to market your game outside of family and friends. If that prospect doesn't interest you, then congratulations to you and your daughter on the creation of a game that you enjoy!