games workshop

EDIT: The lay-out of the course has changed quite a bit and is an ever evolving monster. Hence my not posting a real update

Hi Dave,

thanks for your comment. Actually I do know quite some things about the theory of game design, or should I say about lots of theories of game design. Bu that's also where one of my problems kicked in. Since I have a very limited amount of sessions(I'm about to graduate as a psychologist, hence I call everything sessions :D ), I'll have to make a selection of which theories to present. I was thinking along the lines of a division like this.

Week 1:
First a small round of why everybody joined the workshop, so I can fine-tune the following sessions.
A free-thinking exercise to warm up everybody. Basically people have to write down their thoughts and follow them as fast as possible. No censorship allowed. (E.g. I'm thinking as fast as possible and am looking at my fingers tuping weird its just like it s a balloon full of typo's i hope no one.... etc.)
This is followed by a bit of theory in how to come up with a game concept. After which everybody will start brainstorming on theirs.
Maybe there's some time left for mechanics and such, but it's not necessary.

Homework come up with a or a couple of game concepts. No censoring or limitations allowed.

Week 2:
No workshop, but the ability to try lots of games in my gaming group

Week 3:
They've got a concept, now what! Well, it's time to discuss mechanics, theme's and the like. After that some exercises in coming up with original start-mechanics and how to implement mechanics into their game concept.

Homework: try to make a very simple prototype or try to work out the way the game should work

Week 4: again no workshop, but it's playtesting time

Week 5: prototyping time! It's time to discuss what materials can be used, where to get them and how to apply them. After that, time to make a blueprint for the prototype

Homework: gather all the neccesary materials and start building

Week 6: no workshop, more playtesting

Week 7:
It's time to go over the games in detail. How to fine-tune a game.
Finish up with information on self-publishing, going to a publishing company and other ways to make sure other's get to play your games.

After that final tips on how to complete the prototype and overcome encountered problems.

Week 8:
No more workshops at all, but prototype-o-mania. It's time to play the games

Still I've got the feeling the division over the sessions not completely right and I wonder what to do with people who don't have the time or just don't do their homework. I'd hate for them to miss out on the experience of creating a game. I think it might be smart to allow and talk about modifying or creating an expansion for an existing game. The only problem is time. I don't know whether I'd make it.

In short: the main goal is to make it possible for people to create their own game; from idea to prototype. This is what I want to do, and this is my first draft towards a more complete scenario.

And I agree on the importance of creating a balance between theory and creativity. Hopefully I'll achieve it in this way.

Any feedback is very much appreciated. Thanks,

Aerjen

EDIT: The lay-out of the course has changed quite a bit and is an ever evolving monster. Hence my not posting a real update

Hi Hawk727,

thanks for your reaction. The first course in my workshop is due next January, so I would like it very much if you can give me any advice at all. The schedule has changed a bit, since the culture-centre where I'll be teaching has a bit too much planned with too little space for it. So I still give four lessons of two hours, but instead of them being bi-weekly, they're on every Monday for four consecutive weeks. This means I'll have to keep that in mind when assigning "homework". Thanks for the book-tip, I'll go and try to find it in the public library.

By the way, what's your reason for choosing this specific book, rather than any other? I'm especially wondering this, since a first glance at the book at Amazon, showed me that it's about digital gaming. And I know lot's of the underlying concept/mechanics are the same. But still it would seem like an odd choice for me when giving a workshop in boardgame design

Well, I've bought the book and am currently reading it. Now I'm already thankfull for your recommendation of it, since I think it's indeed exactly what I was looking for. When teaching, do you use the exercises from the book? If so, which ones and can you give an indication of the amount of time they cost? If not, what kind of exercises do you use?

Speaking of teaching... Do you use a powerpoint presentation or a script/scenario and would you mind sharing it with me so I can get some more ideas of how to fit things into my own workshop?

EDIT: If you want you can also PM or mail me about this. I'd very much appreciate your input