WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.040 align:middle line:90% 00:00:00.040 --> 00:00:02.470 align:middle line:84% The following content is provided under a Creative 00:00:02.470 --> 00:00:03.880 align:middle line:90% Commons license. 00:00:03.880 --> 00:00:06.920 align:middle line:84% Your support will help MIT OpenCourseWare continue to 00:00:06.920 --> 00:00:10.570 align:middle line:84% offer high quality educational resources for free. 00:00:10.570 --> 00:00:13.470 align:middle line:84% To make a donation, or view additional materials from 00:00:13.470 --> 00:00:17.400 align:middle line:84% hundreds of MIT courses, visit MIT OpenCourseWare at 00:00:17.400 --> 00:00:18.650 align:middle line:90% ocw.mit.edu. 00:00:18.650 --> 00:00:20.994 align:middle line:90% 00:00:20.994 --> 00:00:22.425 align:middle line:90% PROFESSOR: Welcome back. 00:00:22.425 --> 00:00:25.287 align:middle line:84% Thanks for not dropping the class yet. 00:00:25.287 --> 00:00:27.672 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: I'm going to do that right now. 00:00:27.672 --> 00:00:30.060 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: Funny you mention that. 00:00:30.060 --> 00:00:32.900 align:middle line:90% Let's see, just a reminder. 00:00:32.900 --> 00:00:34.940 align:middle line:84% Actually one big reminder for folks who weren't here on 00:00:34.940 --> 00:00:38.850 align:middle line:84% Friday is that we swapped around Friday and Monday's-- 00:00:38.850 --> 00:00:39.340 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: Yeah, I think 17th and the 00:00:39.340 --> 00:00:41.160 align:middle line:90% 20th have been swapped. 00:00:41.160 --> 00:00:41.690 align:middle line:90% PROFESSOR: Yeah. 00:00:41.690 --> 00:00:43.158 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: In terms of reading that we're going 00:00:43.158 --> 00:00:44.730 align:middle line:90% to do in the class. 00:00:44.730 --> 00:00:46.136 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: So, we're still going to be playing 00:00:46.136 --> 00:00:49.140 align:middle line:90% the games on Friday. 00:00:49.140 --> 00:00:52.249 align:middle line:84% But the brainstorming activity that we had scheduled for 00:00:52.249 --> 00:00:55.225 align:middle line:84% Monday is going to be on this Friday instead. 00:00:55.225 --> 00:00:56.620 align:middle line:84% And then later on in the course. 00:00:56.620 --> 00:00:59.310 align:middle line:90% 00:00:59.310 --> 00:01:00.560 align:middle line:84% Anyone manage to get through the reading? 00:01:00.560 --> 00:01:04.034 align:middle line:90% 00:01:04.034 --> 00:01:07.520 align:middle line:84% Let's see, where should we start. 00:01:07.520 --> 00:01:11.440 align:middle line:84% So there was a Doug Church article that was on Gamasutra. 00:01:11.440 --> 00:01:14.312 align:middle line:84% And if you're familiar with Gamasutra, or if you're not 00:01:14.312 --> 00:01:21.150 align:middle line:84% actually, it's a fairly well-read news and industry 00:01:21.150 --> 00:01:26.790 align:middle line:84% news blog for the video game industry. 00:01:26.790 --> 00:01:30.890 align:middle line:84% That particular article, I think, was originally written 00:01:30.890 --> 00:01:34.850 align:middle line:84% not for the website but for the magazine that the 00:01:34.850 --> 00:01:37.990 align:middle line:84% associated company publishes, the Game Developer magazine. 00:01:37.990 --> 00:01:39.940 align:middle line:84% And Doug Church is actually an MIT alum. 00:01:39.940 --> 00:01:43.764 align:middle line:90% 00:01:43.764 --> 00:01:46.154 align:middle line:84% The other article that was read, Mark [INAUDIBLE], 00:01:46.154 --> 00:01:47.588 align:middle line:90% they're both MIT alums. 00:01:47.588 --> 00:01:48.838 align:middle line:90% So that's one thing. 00:01:48.838 --> 00:01:50.580 align:middle line:90% 00:01:50.580 --> 00:01:54.670 align:middle line:84% So Doug Church proposes a set of tools. 00:01:54.670 --> 00:01:56.870 align:middle line:84% And remember what they're called? 00:01:56.870 --> 00:01:58.120 align:middle line:90% [INTERPOSING VOICES] 00:01:58.120 --> 00:02:02.800 align:middle line:90% 00:02:02.800 --> 00:02:08.590 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: So, and Mark's framework which is-- 00:02:08.590 --> 00:02:09.840 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: M-A-D? 00:02:09.840 --> 00:02:14.570 align:middle line:90% 00:02:14.570 --> 00:02:15.750 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: And we covered mechanics 00:02:15.750 --> 00:02:18.740 align:middle line:90% and dynamics on Friday. 00:02:18.740 --> 00:02:21.260 align:middle line:84% And today we have a little bit of time to talk about 00:02:21.260 --> 00:02:21.440 align:middle line:90% aesthetics. 00:02:21.440 --> 00:02:24.900 align:middle line:84% But the reason why these two essays were put right next to 00:02:24.900 --> 00:02:30.443 align:middle line:84% each other was MDA is an example of what Doug Church 00:02:30.443 --> 00:02:33.470 align:middle line:90% was describing as [INAUDIBLE]. 00:02:33.470 --> 00:02:37.990 align:middle line:84% In fact, at the time when MDA came out it was pretty much 00:02:37.990 --> 00:02:42.400 align:middle line:90% the only one that caught on. 00:02:42.400 --> 00:02:44.840 align:middle line:84% Everybody, all of the problems that Doug Church lays out in 00:02:44.840 --> 00:02:47.678 align:middle line:84% his article about the problems that we don't have a 00:02:47.678 --> 00:02:50.018 align:middle line:84% vocabulary, a consistent vocabulary, to talk about our 00:02:50.018 --> 00:02:53.210 align:middle line:84% craft and thus we can't actually deal with it. 00:02:53.210 --> 00:02:58.680 align:middle line:84% And thus we need some formal tools that everyone uses. 00:02:58.680 --> 00:03:01.770 align:middle line:84% Unfortunately not much has caught on. 00:03:01.770 --> 00:03:06.950 align:middle line:84% MDA being one of the few that has. 00:03:06.950 --> 00:03:08.320 align:middle line:84% For a number of different reasons. 00:03:08.320 --> 00:03:12.580 align:middle line:84% First of all, it actually is a useful framework. 00:03:12.580 --> 00:03:15.960 align:middle line:84% You can think of many, many, ways to properly look at games 00:03:15.960 --> 00:03:18.716 align:middle line:84% but for a designer you need to think of something where you 00:03:18.716 --> 00:03:21.050 align:middle line:84% can actually apply it to help improve your games. 00:03:21.050 --> 00:03:27.560 align:middle line:84% And MDA actually gives you a reason why design is hard. 00:03:27.560 --> 00:03:30.450 align:middle line:84% So if nothing else, designers like it a lot because it says 00:03:30.450 --> 00:03:31.800 align:middle line:90% this is why their job is hard. 00:03:31.800 --> 00:03:34.730 align:middle line:90% 00:03:34.730 --> 00:03:37.920 align:middle line:84% The reason being, you get to control the mechanics. 00:03:37.920 --> 00:03:39.340 align:middle line:84% But that's not what you're going for. 00:03:39.340 --> 00:03:41.970 align:middle line:84% You're not going for really interesting mechanics. 00:03:41.970 --> 00:03:43.870 align:middle line:84% They're going for really interesting aesthetics. 00:03:43.870 --> 00:03:47.590 align:middle line:84% They're going for a fun, engaging, play experience. 00:03:47.590 --> 00:03:49.514 align:middle line:90% There are mock-- 00:03:49.514 --> 00:03:53.330 align:middle line:84% in the MDA paper, this lists eight kinds of fun. 00:03:53.330 --> 00:03:55.810 align:middle line:84% And I've asked him about this when we give this presentation 00:03:55.810 --> 00:03:58.920 align:middle line:90% here in MIT. 00:03:58.920 --> 00:04:00.210 align:middle line:84% Those eight were not meant to be comprehensive. 00:04:00.210 --> 00:04:02.130 align:middle line:84% They were meant to be, these are the eight that I could 00:04:02.130 --> 00:04:03.380 align:middle line:90% think of at the time. 00:04:03.380 --> 00:04:05.215 align:middle line:90% 00:04:05.215 --> 00:04:07.130 align:middle line:84% After this I'm going for [INAUDIBLE] 00:04:07.130 --> 00:04:10.155 align:middle line:84% that's a bouquet of different kinds of fun. 00:04:10.155 --> 00:04:12.660 align:middle line:84% Different kinds of experiences that people are trying to get 00:04:12.660 --> 00:04:13.810 align:middle line:90% out of playing games. 00:04:13.810 --> 00:04:15.960 align:middle line:84% That's what a game designer is trying to get. 00:04:15.960 --> 00:04:18.060 align:middle line:84% The only problem is that a game designer doesn't actually 00:04:18.060 --> 00:04:19.565 align:middle line:90% control that experience. 00:04:19.565 --> 00:04:22.600 align:middle line:84% The game designer only gets to upload mechanics. 00:04:22.600 --> 00:04:25.010 align:middle line:84% Depending on what company you are, maybe you have the title 00:04:25.010 --> 00:04:28.777 align:middle line:84% of game designer but you're also in charge of the art. 00:04:28.777 --> 00:04:30.210 align:middle line:84% You're actually also the lead programmer. 00:04:30.210 --> 00:04:32.180 align:middle line:84% It's possible that you also have more control over things 00:04:32.180 --> 00:04:33.760 align:middle line:90% than just the mechanics. 00:04:33.760 --> 00:04:38.800 align:middle line:84% But most designers, mechanics is what the job still is. 00:04:38.800 --> 00:04:43.860 align:middle line:84% So they write the rules, the rules interact in some sort of 00:04:43.860 --> 00:04:47.486 align:middle line:84% like ridiculously hard to predict way, and then you get 00:04:47.486 --> 00:04:49.880 align:middle line:84% the experience of playing the game, the aesthetic. 00:04:49.880 --> 00:04:52.405 align:middle line:84% And you hope that's what you were going for. 00:04:52.405 --> 00:04:53.990 align:middle line:90% It usually isn't. 00:04:53.990 --> 00:04:59.020 align:middle line:84% And then you make a change to the mechanics and try again. 00:04:59.020 --> 00:05:00.710 align:middle line:84% The nice thing about that, is that works really well with 00:05:00.710 --> 00:05:01.650 align:middle line:90% the rate of design. 00:05:01.650 --> 00:05:05.350 align:middle line:84% In fact, without a rate of design it becomes really hard 00:05:05.350 --> 00:05:06.960 align:middle line:84% to control this kind of process. 00:05:06.960 --> 00:05:12.701 align:middle line:84% Because basically, we are two orders removed from the 00:05:12.701 --> 00:05:14.380 align:middle line:84% experience that you're trying to create. 00:05:14.380 --> 00:05:20.350 align:middle line:84% It's like trying to draw on a piece of paper where not only 00:05:20.350 --> 00:05:24.200 align:middle line:84% can you not see the paper that you're drawing on, you're also 00:05:24.200 --> 00:05:28.831 align:middle line:84% controlling the brush or the pencil tied to a stick, or 00:05:28.831 --> 00:05:30.250 align:middle line:84% something like that, blindfolded. 00:05:30.250 --> 00:05:31.669 align:middle line:84% That's kind of what making game designs are like. 00:05:31.669 --> 00:05:34.910 align:middle line:90% 00:05:34.910 --> 00:05:39.860 align:middle line:84% So that's the experience of the game design side. 00:05:39.860 --> 00:05:41.620 align:middle line:84% You can control the mechanics, and they're going towards some 00:05:41.620 --> 00:05:42.630 align:middle line:90% sort of aesthetic. 00:05:42.630 --> 00:05:45.692 align:middle line:84% And from the other side, the player is experiencing some 00:05:45.692 --> 00:05:50.960 align:middle line:84% kind of aesthetic and they can sort of work their way back. 00:05:50.960 --> 00:05:53.610 align:middle line:84% It's like, I'm getting this kind of experience. 00:05:53.610 --> 00:05:55.330 align:middle line:84% Why am I getting this kind of experience? 00:05:55.330 --> 00:05:58.415 align:middle line:84% If you've got a particularly insightful game player, maybe 00:05:58.415 --> 00:06:01.340 align:middle line:84% they're taking CMS.300 Introduction to Video Games, 00:06:01.340 --> 00:06:03.730 align:middle line:90% and you're analyzing games. 00:06:03.730 --> 00:06:06.650 align:middle line:84% And you're trying to say, how did we get here? 00:06:06.650 --> 00:06:08.130 align:middle line:84% If anything in this class, you're going to be 00:06:08.130 --> 00:06:09.250 align:middle line:90% doing that a lot. 00:06:09.250 --> 00:06:15.670 align:middle line:84% This game, Heroes Might and Magic 3 for instance, has-- 00:06:15.670 --> 00:06:18.210 align:middle line:90% give me a particularly-- 00:06:18.210 --> 00:06:18.740 align:middle line:90% a sensation. 00:06:18.740 --> 00:06:21.538 align:middle line:84% Describe a sensation that you got when you were playing that 00:06:21.538 --> 00:06:24.870 align:middle line:90% game, that you recall. 00:06:24.870 --> 00:06:26.280 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: Strategic. 00:06:26.280 --> 00:06:27.250 align:middle line:90% Out-smarting. 00:06:27.250 --> 00:06:28.830 align:middle line:90% To saying to friends. 00:06:28.830 --> 00:06:30.890 align:middle line:90% Outsmart them. 00:06:30.890 --> 00:06:31.550 align:middle line:90% Stump me. 00:06:31.550 --> 00:06:33.596 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: Seem smart, make you have to think really hard 00:06:33.596 --> 00:06:34.510 align:middle line:90% and everything. 00:06:34.510 --> 00:06:36.925 align:middle line:84% So then you think about what dynamics might 00:06:36.925 --> 00:06:40.170 align:middle line:90% have resulted in that. 00:06:40.170 --> 00:06:41.940 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: Fog of War. 00:06:41.940 --> 00:06:44.090 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: For you to figure out is behind the 00:06:44.090 --> 00:06:45.750 align:middle line:90% areas you can't see. 00:06:45.750 --> 00:06:48.676 align:middle line:84% But it has some information that you can see that will 00:06:48.676 --> 00:06:49.900 align:middle line:90% give you clues. 00:06:49.900 --> 00:06:53.745 align:middle line:84% And then, Fog of War might already be a mechanic. 00:06:53.745 --> 00:06:56.460 align:middle line:84% The idea of, there is information that you can 00:06:56.460 --> 00:06:58.050 align:middle line:84% deduce even though you can't actually see it. 00:06:58.050 --> 00:07:02.790 align:middle line:84% And there's some probability of getting it right based on 00:07:02.790 --> 00:07:04.660 align:middle line:90% their experience with games. 00:07:04.660 --> 00:07:09.280 align:middle line:84% Fog of War being one game that gets you there. 00:07:09.280 --> 00:07:11.020 align:middle line:84% So you can analyze it backwards. 00:07:11.020 --> 00:07:14.110 align:middle line:84% And figure out, OK that's one thing Fog of War gets you. 00:07:14.110 --> 00:07:16.230 align:middle line:84% Sometimes Fog of War just confuses you. 00:07:16.230 --> 00:07:18.990 align:middle line:84% There could be anything behind this corner. 00:07:18.990 --> 00:07:22.097 align:middle line:84% I mean technically, Final Fantasy random combat system 00:07:22.097 --> 00:07:23.663 align:middle line:90% is like Fog of War. 00:07:23.663 --> 00:07:25.530 align:middle line:84% I don't know if there is a random encounter here, I will 00:07:25.530 --> 00:07:29.284 align:middle line:90% walk into it. 00:07:29.284 --> 00:07:30.534 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: [INAUDIBLE]. 00:07:30.534 --> 00:07:36.710 align:middle line:90% 00:07:36.710 --> 00:07:38.010 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: That's where Unix merger is complete-- 00:07:38.010 --> 00:07:40.732 align:middle line:84% Plan to the classic Final Fantasy one with slides and 00:07:40.732 --> 00:07:41.982 align:middle line:90% the classic [INAUDIBLE]. 00:07:41.982 --> 00:07:49.430 align:middle line:90% 00:07:49.430 --> 00:07:51.670 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: But there is actually a problem-- 00:07:51.670 --> 00:07:53.500 align:middle line:84% actually, I don't need to write this down. 00:07:53.500 --> 00:07:55.580 align:middle line:90% There is a problem with-- 00:07:55.580 --> 00:07:57.680 align:middle line:84% well, maybe it's not a problem. 00:07:57.680 --> 00:08:00.170 align:middle line:84% There is an issue that I have with [INAUDIBLE]. 00:08:00.170 --> 00:08:03.220 align:middle line:90% 00:08:03.220 --> 00:08:07.210 align:middle line:84% Doug Church uses it specifically to say, well it 00:08:07.210 --> 00:08:09.610 align:middle line:84% should be sort of a serious business right? 00:08:09.610 --> 00:08:12.850 align:middle line:84% It's formal with a capital F. We're not talking about how 00:08:12.850 --> 00:08:16.070 align:middle line:84% cool this game is, we want to be very precise in our 00:08:16.070 --> 00:08:17.320 align:middle line:90% vocabulary. 00:08:17.320 --> 00:08:19.000 align:middle line:90% 00:08:19.000 --> 00:08:21.760 align:middle line:84% We want to treat it like a serious business with a 00:08:21.760 --> 00:08:22.930 align:middle line:90% capital S, capital B. 00:08:22.930 --> 00:08:27.733 align:middle line:84% However, the other assumption with the word formal comes 00:08:27.733 --> 00:08:29.817 align:middle line:90% from [INAUDIBLE]. 00:08:29.817 --> 00:08:32.360 align:middle line:84% You are thinking about the form of the game. 00:08:32.360 --> 00:08:33.730 align:middle line:84% In a way that if you were trying to apply the same 00:08:33.730 --> 00:08:36.400 align:middle line:84% technique to talk about art you'd be talking about the 00:08:36.400 --> 00:08:38.280 align:middle line:90% form of visual art. 00:08:38.280 --> 00:08:41.100 align:middle line:90% The form of cinema. 00:08:41.100 --> 00:08:45.660 align:middle line:84% And that is actually a very narrow way to look at 00:08:45.660 --> 00:08:48.260 align:middle line:84% something, at a topic, that is as broad as a game. 00:08:48.260 --> 00:08:51.760 align:middle line:90% 00:08:51.760 --> 00:08:57.760 align:middle line:84% It is as if we were trying to analyze something like 00:08:57.760 --> 00:08:59.220 align:middle line:90% [INAUDIBLE] 00:08:59.220 --> 00:09:01.470 align:middle line:84% and completely ignoring the fact that you were playing it 00:09:01.470 --> 00:09:04.530 align:middle line:84% with friends from French class. 00:09:04.530 --> 00:09:07.120 align:middle line:84% That would be an example of, well that had nothing to do 00:09:07.120 --> 00:09:08.680 align:middle line:90% with the game. 00:09:08.680 --> 00:09:11.238 align:middle line:84% Well actually, it probably had a lot to do with how you 00:09:11.238 --> 00:09:12.488 align:middle line:90% experienced the game. 00:09:12.488 --> 00:09:15.510 align:middle line:90% 00:09:15.510 --> 00:09:18.920 align:middle line:84% Play, that's the rules of chess. 00:09:18.920 --> 00:09:21.900 align:middle line:84% And you could just look at the game based on 00:09:21.900 --> 00:09:23.750 align:middle line:90% the rules of chess. 00:09:23.750 --> 00:09:25.776 align:middle line:84% You could also look at the history of chess. 00:09:25.776 --> 00:09:28.644 align:middle line:84% You could also look at who you're playing it against. 00:09:28.644 --> 00:09:29.905 align:middle line:84% Are you playing against a random person or 00:09:29.905 --> 00:09:31.540 align:middle line:90% against your dad? 00:09:31.540 --> 00:09:36.540 align:middle line:84% Big difference, or in my case my mom. 00:09:36.540 --> 00:09:39.580 align:middle line:90% Are you playing it in a club? 00:09:39.580 --> 00:09:45.527 align:middle line:84% Are you playing it against the chess master in Harvard Square 00:09:45.527 --> 00:09:48.270 align:middle line:90% or something like that? 00:09:48.270 --> 00:09:50.530 align:middle line:90% What does this game mean? 00:09:50.530 --> 00:09:53.280 align:middle line:84% Are you using the game metaphorically in speech? 00:09:53.280 --> 00:09:58.320 align:middle line:90% 00:09:58.320 --> 00:10:02.820 align:middle line:84% My opponent wasn't checking his position. 00:10:02.820 --> 00:10:06.864 align:middle line:84% Doesn't necessarily mean that you were playing chess with 00:10:06.864 --> 00:10:09.920 align:middle line:84% someone else in order to get your point across. 00:10:09.920 --> 00:10:12.100 align:middle line:84% There's a whole range of different ways that you can 00:10:12.100 --> 00:10:15.058 align:middle line:84% look at games, even as a game designer, that isn't 00:10:15.058 --> 00:10:16.537 align:middle line:90% specifically formalist. 00:10:16.537 --> 00:10:17.851 align:middle line:84% That isn't specifically just looking at 00:10:17.851 --> 00:10:20.481 align:middle line:90% the form of the game. 00:10:20.481 --> 00:10:22.822 align:middle line:84% Just understanding what context people are going to be 00:10:22.822 --> 00:10:25.090 align:middle line:90% playing the game in. 00:10:25.090 --> 00:10:27.090 align:middle line:84% While a lot of the games that you guys are going to be 00:10:27.090 --> 00:10:30.830 align:middle line:84% designing this semester, specifically in this class, 00:10:30.830 --> 00:10:32.890 align:middle line:84% you have to think about the fact that a lot of these games 00:10:32.890 --> 00:10:37.572 align:middle line:84% are actually going to be played by your instructors. 00:10:37.572 --> 00:10:39.840 align:middle line:84% Are going to be played in a setting very similar to this 00:10:39.840 --> 00:10:41.090 align:middle line:90% by your colleagues. 00:10:41.090 --> 00:10:43.530 align:middle line:90% 00:10:43.530 --> 00:10:47.312 align:middle line:84% Are probably going to end up being tested by dorm mates, 00:10:47.312 --> 00:10:51.420 align:middle line:84% fraternity friends, folks around campus. 00:10:51.420 --> 00:10:54.066 align:middle line:84% And all that is going to vividly influence the kind of 00:10:54.066 --> 00:10:55.316 align:middle line:90% game that you make. 00:10:55.316 --> 00:10:57.970 align:middle line:90% 00:10:57.970 --> 00:11:01.680 align:middle line:84% For better or worse, you are pretty much making a game for 00:11:01.680 --> 00:11:03.110 align:middle line:90% an MIT audience. 00:11:03.110 --> 00:11:05.680 align:middle line:84% I am trying to change that a little bit for the last 00:11:05.680 --> 00:11:06.570 align:middle line:90% assignment. 00:11:06.570 --> 00:11:11.910 align:middle line:84% But keep in mind that's not necessarily every single game 00:11:11.910 --> 00:11:13.560 align:middle line:84% that you're going to make in the future. 00:11:13.560 --> 00:11:14.960 align:middle line:90% And that shouldn't be. 00:11:14.960 --> 00:11:18.443 align:middle line:84% But, knowing that, you can try to cater to the audience that 00:11:18.443 --> 00:11:19.693 align:middle line:90% you've got. 00:11:19.693 --> 00:11:23.163 align:middle line:90% 00:11:23.163 --> 00:11:25.350 align:middle line:84% That has very little, in some ways, this is going to effect 00:11:25.350 --> 00:11:27.610 align:middle line:84% the design decisions that you make in your game. 00:11:27.610 --> 00:11:32.515 align:middle line:84% What will be perfectly acceptable to a competitive 00:11:32.515 --> 00:11:36.600 align:middle line:84% MIT audience might not be perfectly acceptable to your 00:11:36.600 --> 00:11:38.860 align:middle line:84% average working buyer in Target or something like that. 00:11:38.860 --> 00:11:42.260 align:middle line:90% 00:11:42.260 --> 00:11:46.440 align:middle line:84% And so what may be a perfectly engrossing game, mechanic, 00:11:46.440 --> 00:11:49.510 align:middle line:84% dynamic, aesthetic experience, that you will get. 00:11:49.510 --> 00:11:52.960 align:middle line:84% But just like looking at the formal aspects of one game, 00:11:52.960 --> 00:11:56.280 align:middle line:84% this will be really cool if you understood the mechanic, 00:11:56.280 --> 00:11:59.790 align:middle line:84% played it out in the way the creator designed the dynamic 00:11:59.790 --> 00:12:02.620 align:middle line:84% to give you the aesthetic experience. 00:12:02.620 --> 00:12:05.370 align:middle line:84% But if you don't have the standard context when you're 00:12:05.370 --> 00:12:08.846 align:middle line:84% playing the game, as an example, then your player may 00:12:08.846 --> 00:12:10.030 align:middle line:90% not even get that far. 00:12:10.030 --> 00:12:12.870 align:middle line:84% Your player may look at your game and say this game is not 00:12:12.870 --> 00:12:17.230 align:middle line:90% for me and just walk away. 00:12:17.230 --> 00:12:21.330 align:middle line:90% It might mean that you might-- 00:12:21.330 --> 00:12:24.393 align:middle line:84% I'm thinking of things like we just had this good discussion 00:12:24.393 --> 00:12:25.866 align:middle line:84% over lunch about the sort of games that you find on 00:12:25.866 --> 00:12:29.315 align:middle line:90% Facebook for instance. 00:12:29.315 --> 00:12:32.442 align:middle line:90% And a lot of social games-- 00:12:32.442 --> 00:12:34.738 align:middle line:84% I might have already made this point, but it has been argued 00:12:34.738 --> 00:12:36.870 align:middle line:84% that social games aren't all that social. 00:12:36.870 --> 00:12:39.822 align:middle line:84% All you do is really beg and scam your friends. 00:12:39.822 --> 00:12:42.010 align:middle line:90% That's the whole point-- 00:12:42.010 --> 00:12:46.135 align:middle line:84% In many ways, it's also the same to your friends who are 00:12:46.135 --> 00:12:47.110 align:middle line:90% doing the same thing. 00:12:47.110 --> 00:12:49.280 align:middle line:84% And we may be separated by time, and separated by 00:12:49.280 --> 00:12:51.520 align:middle line:84% distance, we're all doing the same thing. 00:12:51.520 --> 00:12:55.380 align:middle line:84% And we could be playing this game, we could be talking 00:12:55.380 --> 00:13:00.384 align:middle line:84% about a show that we are watching in our apartments and 00:13:00.384 --> 00:13:04.790 align:middle line:84% get to discuss it, but in many ways this is just me telling 00:13:04.790 --> 00:13:07.062 align:middle line:84% you we're doing the same thing, that we're part of the 00:13:07.062 --> 00:13:08.450 align:middle line:90% same group. 00:13:08.450 --> 00:13:12.024 align:middle line:84% And that serves a function that has almost, that really 00:13:12.024 --> 00:13:14.820 align:middle line:84% doesn't have anything to do with the formal analysis of 00:13:14.820 --> 00:13:19.380 align:middle line:84% how a game mechanic works, but it's still incredibly crucial 00:13:19.380 --> 00:13:23.570 align:middle line:84% to the popularity of those games. 00:13:23.570 --> 00:13:27.180 align:middle line:84% So keep that in mind, that even though 00:13:27.180 --> 00:13:28.210 align:middle line:90% Church makes his point-- 00:13:28.210 --> 00:13:32.549 align:middle line:84% I think a lot of designers actually ignore that when you 00:13:32.549 --> 00:13:34.140 align:middle line:90% read his essay-- 00:13:34.140 --> 00:13:35.980 align:middle line:84% that it's only one set of tools. 00:13:35.980 --> 00:13:40.060 align:middle line:84% The formal tools are only one set of tools, even. 00:13:40.060 --> 00:13:49.370 align:middle line:84% That our tools at looking at games culturally, personally, 00:13:49.370 --> 00:13:54.170 align:middle line:84% and other things that video games cast into light-- 00:13:54.170 --> 00:13:56.930 align:middle line:90% 00:13:56.930 --> 00:14:01.300 align:middle line:84% that will effect how people experience a game and how much 00:14:01.300 --> 00:14:01.870 align:middle line:84% pleasure they're going to get out of a game. 00:14:01.870 --> 00:14:04.200 align:middle line:84% To understand video games doing what it does right? 00:14:04.200 --> 00:14:08.310 align:middle line:90% 00:14:08.310 --> 00:14:11.520 align:middle line:84% That aren't, that don't have anything to do, necessarily, 00:14:11.520 --> 00:14:12.934 align:middle line:84% with just by looking at the self-contained 00:14:12.934 --> 00:14:14.184 align:middle line:90% system of the game. 00:14:14.184 --> 00:14:18.510 align:middle line:90% 00:14:18.510 --> 00:14:22.370 align:middle line:84% Just as a side note, how many of you folks have heard of the 00:14:22.370 --> 00:14:27.182 align:middle line:84% narrative versus ludology debate? 00:14:27.182 --> 00:14:28.432 align:middle line:84% How many of you are sick of this? 00:14:28.432 --> 00:14:32.594 align:middle line:90% 00:14:32.594 --> 00:14:33.508 align:middle line:90% I'm sick of it too. 00:14:33.508 --> 00:14:36.140 align:middle line:84% But I bring it up for one reason, there is an 00:14:36.140 --> 00:14:40.250 align:middle line:84% interesting case that if you actually look at narratology 00:14:40.250 --> 00:14:44.390 align:middle line:84% as a study and ludology as a study, they're 00:14:44.390 --> 00:14:46.370 align:middle line:90% both formalist studies. 00:14:46.370 --> 00:14:48.820 align:middle line:84% In fact, they're more accurate more precisely, they're both 00:14:48.820 --> 00:14:51.658 align:middle line:90% structuralist. 00:14:51.658 --> 00:14:55.060 align:middle line:84% If you look at philosophies as a sub-sect of formalism, or at 00:14:55.060 --> 00:14:59.220 align:middle line:84% least a more recent version of it, they're both basically 00:14:59.220 --> 00:15:03.300 align:middle line:84% focused on these are the elements of this art form. 00:15:03.300 --> 00:15:05.120 align:middle line:84% And this is how they interact to produce 00:15:05.120 --> 00:15:07.570 align:middle line:90% some sort of effect. 00:15:07.570 --> 00:15:11.890 align:middle line:84% And all that matters is what's contained in this art form. 00:15:11.890 --> 00:15:13.770 align:middle line:84% What's outside this art form doesn't matter. 00:15:13.770 --> 00:15:15.680 align:middle line:84% That's what narratology does for stories. 00:15:15.680 --> 00:15:19.000 align:middle line:84% That's what ludology does for games. 00:15:19.000 --> 00:15:22.340 align:middle line:84% That's, in fact, probably why most people who study games 00:15:22.340 --> 00:15:26.616 align:middle line:84% have walked away from ludology because it's not that 00:15:26.616 --> 00:15:26.840 align:middle line:90% interesting. 00:15:26.840 --> 00:15:28.490 align:middle line:84% You just study what's inside a system. 00:15:28.490 --> 00:15:29.740 align:middle line:84% People want to see what's outside. 00:15:29.740 --> 00:15:31.580 align:middle line:90% 00:15:31.580 --> 00:15:34.620 align:middle line:84% And so when you compare structuralistic and 00:15:34.620 --> 00:15:39.690 align:middle line:84% structuralism wins that's one case. 00:15:39.690 --> 00:15:44.160 align:middle line:84% And you only have, you may not realize that you're actually 00:15:44.160 --> 00:15:47.090 align:middle line:84% looking at your game through a very, very, narrow lens. 00:15:47.090 --> 00:15:48.670 align:middle line:84% So I'm trying to broaden the range of 00:15:48.670 --> 00:15:49.884 align:middle line:90% tools that you've got. 00:15:49.884 --> 00:15:52.630 align:middle line:84% This class is going to give you a small set of them. 00:15:52.630 --> 00:15:57.020 align:middle line:84% And it's not by any means the be all and end all of every 00:15:57.020 --> 00:16:01.150 align:middle line:84% single way and that you can look at a game. 00:16:01.150 --> 00:16:04.310 align:middle line:84% And again, you're not just restricted to the tools that I 00:16:04.310 --> 00:16:06.700 align:middle line:84% specifically teach you in this class. 00:16:06.700 --> 00:16:10.921 align:middle line:84% So keep looking out for all the new ones. 00:16:10.921 --> 00:16:12.171 align:middle line:90% Let's see. 00:16:12.171 --> 00:16:14.190 align:middle line:90% 00:16:14.190 --> 00:16:15.640 align:middle line:90% Any questions so far? 00:16:15.640 --> 00:16:16.890 align:middle line:90% That was my rant. 00:16:16.890 --> 00:16:22.416 align:middle line:90% 00:16:22.416 --> 00:16:25.330 align:middle line:90% OK, no more ranting. 00:16:25.330 --> 00:16:29.720 align:middle line:90% We have an activity. 00:16:29.720 --> 00:16:32.660 align:middle line:90% Do you want to run through? 00:16:32.660 --> 00:16:36.544 align:middle line:84% GUEST SPEAKER: OK I'm going to pass around-- this is my 00:16:36.544 --> 00:16:37.978 align:middle line:90% crappy race game. 00:16:37.978 --> 00:16:42.182 align:middle line:84% So you're going to be getting one copy per pair. 00:16:42.182 --> 00:16:45.165 align:middle line:84% There's also some nifty set of dice. 00:16:45.165 --> 00:16:47.640 align:middle line:84% You'll need one copy per, one die per. 00:16:47.640 --> 00:16:54.570 align:middle line:90% 00:16:54.570 --> 00:16:56.776 align:middle line:84% And then, each person's going to need three 00:16:56.776 --> 00:16:59.050 align:middle line:90% of these poker chips. 00:16:59.050 --> 00:17:00.792 align:middle line:84% It doesn't matter the color so just grab three. 00:17:00.792 --> 00:17:08.157 align:middle line:90% 00:17:08.157 --> 00:17:10.612 align:middle line:84% You're each going to need a marker to indicate yourself. 00:17:10.612 --> 00:17:13.558 align:middle line:84% And I recommend just grabbing any given value-- 00:17:13.558 --> 00:17:21.414 align:middle line:90% 00:17:21.414 --> 00:17:22.887 align:middle line:84% There should be more than enough copies. 00:17:22.887 --> 00:17:31.860 align:middle line:90% 00:17:31.860 --> 00:17:33.110 align:middle line:84% So you only need one board per group. 00:17:33.110 --> 00:17:44.379 align:middle line:90% 00:17:44.379 --> 00:17:47.432 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: So one die for every two people? 00:17:47.432 --> 00:17:48.800 align:middle line:84% GUEST SPEAKER: Yeah, one of those six-sided 00:17:48.800 --> 00:17:50.170 align:middle line:90% die for every two. 00:17:50.170 --> 00:17:51.960 align:middle line:84% And then you need markers for yourselves 00:17:51.960 --> 00:17:53.065 align:middle line:90% and then bonus markers. 00:17:53.065 --> 00:17:56.830 align:middle line:84% And that's what the poker chips are for. 00:17:56.830 --> 00:17:58.640 align:middle line:84% So keep the poker chips circulating. 00:17:58.640 --> 00:17:59.120 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: Three per person? 00:17:59.120 --> 00:17:59.920 align:middle line:84% GUEST SPEAKER: Three per person. 00:17:59.920 --> 00:18:02.800 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: One playing piece per person. 00:18:02.800 --> 00:18:04.892 align:middle line:84% GUEST SPEAKER: You can use coins, you can use die-- 00:18:04.892 --> 00:18:06.940 align:middle line:90% [INTERPOSING VOICES] 00:18:06.940 --> 00:18:08.190 align:middle line:90% paper, whatever you want. 00:18:08.190 --> 00:18:17.070 align:middle line:90% 00:18:17.070 --> 00:18:19.410 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: So we have three of the important questions 00:18:19.410 --> 00:18:20.660 align:middle line:90% [INAUDIBLE]. 00:18:20.660 --> 00:18:26.940 align:middle line:90% 00:18:26.940 --> 00:18:28.240 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: How many [INAUDIBLE] take back? 00:18:28.240 --> 00:18:30.050 align:middle line:84% GUEST SPEAKER: If you need markers for yourself, you can 00:18:30.050 --> 00:18:33.724 align:middle line:84% try one of the multi-sided polyhedral dice over here. 00:18:33.724 --> 00:18:34.678 align:middle line:90% I guess-- 00:18:34.678 --> 00:18:37.270 align:middle line:90% [INTERPOSING VOICES] 00:18:37.270 --> 00:18:38.520 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: OK, OK, what now? 00:18:38.520 --> 00:18:45.715 align:middle line:90% 00:18:45.715 --> 00:18:46.705 align:middle line:84% GUEST SPEAKER: I'm more well-versed in the-- 00:18:46.705 --> 00:19:04.544 align:middle line:84% GUEST SPEAKER: The die is to roll 00:19:04.544 --> 00:19:06.360 align:middle line:84% GUEST SPEAKER: OK, so can everyone hold on for a second? 00:19:06.360 --> 00:19:08.190 align:middle line:84% So what we're going to ask you to do is just play through 00:19:08.190 --> 00:19:09.690 align:middle line:90% this game a couple times? 00:19:09.690 --> 00:19:13.030 align:middle line:84% Then we're going to come back and apply the MDA framework to 00:19:13.030 --> 00:19:13.860 align:middle line:90% the game itself. 00:19:13.860 --> 00:19:15.510 align:middle line:84% And then if we have time, I think we're going to spend 00:19:15.510 --> 00:19:17.890 align:middle line:90% some time tweaking it? 00:19:17.890 --> 00:19:18.890 align:middle line:90% OK, cool. 00:19:18.890 --> 00:19:20.140 align:middle line:90% So we'll interrupt you guys-- 00:19:20.140 --> 00:19:24.238 align:middle line:90% 00:19:24.238 --> 00:19:25.729 align:middle line:84% actually, ten minutes probably. 00:19:25.729 --> 00:19:26.979 align:middle line:90% It's a pretty quick game. 00:19:26.979 --> 00:19:30.815 align:middle line:90% 00:19:30.815 --> 00:19:32.960 align:middle line:90% This has sort of gone flat. 00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:35.560 align:middle line:84% So what we'd kind of like to do is hear about-- 00:19:35.560 --> 00:19:36.862 align:middle line:84% I guess we'll just go around the room in pairs 00:19:36.862 --> 00:19:38.140 align:middle line:90% and ask you to talk. 00:19:38.140 --> 00:19:41.680 align:middle line:84% Or do you want a minute to talk, to apply MDA to this and 00:19:41.680 --> 00:19:43.030 align:middle line:90% focus on some things? 00:19:43.030 --> 00:19:45.340 align:middle line:84% So I'm not like calling anyone on the spot. 00:19:45.340 --> 00:19:47.810 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: Anybody want to volunteer what, how they felt? 00:19:47.810 --> 00:19:49.846 align:middle line:84% What was the aesthetic of this game? 00:19:49.846 --> 00:19:51.096 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: There is none. 00:19:51.096 --> 00:19:54.666 align:middle line:90% 00:19:54.666 --> 00:19:57.880 align:middle line:84% GUEST SPEAKER: There's no emotional affect. 00:19:57.880 --> 00:19:59.455 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: It felt competitive. 00:19:59.455 --> 00:20:02.070 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: The thing is, it's a very simple aesthetic. 00:20:02.070 --> 00:20:05.060 align:middle line:84% So in the paper they say you're going to the pleasure 00:20:05.060 --> 00:20:07.163 align:middle line:84% of using the aesthetic, but here you go straight to the 00:20:07.163 --> 00:20:08.413 align:middle line:84% mechanic and you're wondering about it. 00:20:08.413 --> 00:20:11.620 align:middle line:90% 00:20:11.620 --> 00:20:14.204 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: You, it definitely is easy especially because 00:20:14.204 --> 00:20:16.413 align:middle line:84% especially for board games the mechanics are written down 00:20:16.413 --> 00:20:17.772 align:middle line:84% right in front of you, it's really easy 00:20:17.772 --> 00:20:18.680 align:middle line:90% when you look at that. 00:20:18.680 --> 00:20:21.746 align:middle line:84% But how did you feel while you were playing this game? 00:20:21.746 --> 00:20:23.940 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: There was a sense of tension. 00:20:23.940 --> 00:20:29.264 align:middle line:84% There was maybe a sense of [INAUDIBLE] perhaps? 00:20:29.264 --> 00:20:30.480 align:middle line:90% There was a sense of-- 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:38.470 align:middle line:84% I mean there was the intellectual challenge of 00:20:38.470 --> 00:20:40.440 align:middle line:84% working out is there really a meaningful 00:20:40.440 --> 00:20:41.690 align:middle line:90% decision to be made here? 00:20:41.690 --> 00:20:44.358 align:middle line:90% 00:20:44.358 --> 00:20:47.775 align:middle line:84% And if there is, what is the correct decision? 00:20:47.775 --> 00:20:51.220 align:middle line:90% 00:20:51.220 --> 00:20:56.595 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: So thinking can I optimize this? 00:20:56.595 --> 00:20:59.553 align:middle line:84% Especially with this crowd, I think there was an immediate 00:20:59.553 --> 00:21:03.497 align:middle line:84% try to figure out what the right thing is. 00:21:03.497 --> 00:21:06.340 align:middle line:84% And I know you were trying to figure it out. 00:21:06.340 --> 00:21:10.300 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: I think he correctly figured it out. 00:21:10.300 --> 00:21:12.540 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: So is there an optimal way to play this game? 00:21:12.540 --> 00:21:16.800 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: Yeah, OK, so if you're losing-- 00:21:16.800 --> 00:21:18.440 align:middle line:84% If you keep putting tokens down you're 00:21:18.440 --> 00:21:19.330 align:middle line:90% going to lose anyway. 00:21:19.330 --> 00:21:21.080 align:middle line:84% So you want to be rolling in order to 00:21:21.080 --> 00:21:24.040 align:middle line:90% increase the variance. 00:21:24.040 --> 00:21:27.541 align:middle line:84% And if you're winning, you want to be putting tokens down 00:21:27.541 --> 00:21:29.155 align:middle line:90% in order to move the variance. 00:21:29.155 --> 00:21:30.700 align:middle line:84% You can imagine if it's like a distribution. 00:21:30.700 --> 00:21:34.190 align:middle line:90% 00:21:34.190 --> 00:21:37.625 align:middle line:84% If you're below the winning line you want to widen it out 00:21:37.625 --> 00:21:40.071 align:middle line:84% as much as possible so as much of that distribution is above 00:21:40.071 --> 00:21:41.810 align:middle line:90% the winning line. 00:21:41.810 --> 00:21:42.825 align:middle line:84% And if you're above the winning line you want it to be 00:21:42.825 --> 00:21:44.660 align:middle line:84% as narrow as possible so you stay above the winning line. 00:21:44.660 --> 00:21:47.080 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: So your strategy is basically based on what's the 00:21:47.080 --> 00:21:48.050 align:middle line:90% currency of the game. 00:21:48.050 --> 00:21:50.910 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: Yeah, until the last turn where obviously you don't 00:21:50.910 --> 00:21:52.160 align:middle line:84% want to put a token down if you're two from the end. 00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:54.770 align:middle line:90% 00:21:54.770 --> 00:21:59.090 align:middle line:84% As long as no one can win on this turn, if I'm behind him 00:21:59.090 --> 00:22:01.734 align:middle line:90% I'm rolling the die. 00:22:01.734 --> 00:22:04.532 align:middle line:84% And if I'm ahead of him I'm putting down a token. 00:22:04.532 --> 00:22:07.750 align:middle line:84% GUEST SPEAKER: Did anyone prefer a strategy before you 00:22:07.750 --> 00:22:10.232 align:middle line:84% started thinking about what was the best one? 00:22:10.232 --> 00:22:11.708 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: I'm too lazy to use the tokens 00:22:11.708 --> 00:22:15.020 align:middle line:90% so I just keep rolling. 00:22:15.020 --> 00:22:17.178 align:middle line:84% GUEST SPEAKER: And that's also part of the 00:22:17.178 --> 00:22:18.582 align:middle line:90% aesthetic of it right? 00:22:18.582 --> 00:22:20.460 align:middle line:84% You just happen to prefer the die roll. 00:22:20.460 --> 00:22:22.680 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: On the first three spaces you should be getting 00:22:22.680 --> 00:22:24.748 align:middle line:84% the average if you roll [INAUDIBLE] 00:22:24.748 --> 00:22:25.732 align:middle line:90% if you put a token down. 00:22:25.732 --> 00:22:27.208 align:middle line:84% I personally like being conservative. 00:22:27.208 --> 00:22:28.684 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: You win no matter what. 00:22:28.684 --> 00:22:31.634 align:middle line:90% 00:22:31.634 --> 00:22:32.116 align:middle line:90% GUEST SPEAKER: I'm sorry what? 00:22:32.116 --> 00:22:33.080 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: That's more exciting because it 00:22:33.080 --> 00:22:35.972 align:middle line:90% does different things. 00:22:35.972 --> 00:22:36.936 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: The token gives you the illusion that you're 00:22:36.936 --> 00:22:38.186 align:middle line:90% actually playing. 00:22:38.186 --> 00:22:42.720 align:middle line:90% 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:44.680 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: Did anyone like get in the situation where they 00:22:44.680 --> 00:22:46.490 align:middle line:84% are really far behind in a different color? 00:22:46.490 --> 00:22:47.740 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: No. 00:22:47.740 --> 00:22:58.400 align:middle line:90% 00:22:58.400 --> 00:22:59.810 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: The actual difference-- 00:22:59.810 --> 00:23:03.590 align:middle line:84% one of the things that you do get in this game is the 00:23:03.590 --> 00:23:06.530 align:middle line:84% perceived distance between players. 00:23:06.530 --> 00:23:10.872 align:middle line:90% It's actually not that far. 00:23:10.872 --> 00:23:14.580 align:middle line:84% If the one behind actually has to still get in. 00:23:14.580 --> 00:23:17.010 align:middle line:84% I think people refer to this as the 00:23:17.010 --> 00:23:18.520 align:middle line:90% American Gladiators effect. 00:23:18.520 --> 00:23:22.020 align:middle line:84% You know how, American Gladiators-- 00:23:22.020 --> 00:23:24.700 align:middle line:84% actually, is this your example that I'm stealing? 00:23:24.700 --> 00:23:26.600 align:middle line:84% GUEST SPEAKER: I don't remember, honestly. 00:23:26.600 --> 00:23:28.090 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: Someone I can't help from stealing. 00:23:28.090 --> 00:23:30.110 align:middle line:84% GUEST SPEAKER: I think it's in the book at some point, but I 00:23:30.110 --> 00:23:31.380 align:middle line:84% think we had applied it to this. 00:23:31.380 --> 00:23:32.766 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: Plagiarism! 00:23:32.766 --> 00:23:34.490 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: Yes, yes, well I'm crediting 00:23:34.490 --> 00:23:35.960 align:middle line:90% someone for this question. 00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:41.020 align:middle line:90% 00:23:41.020 --> 00:23:42.270 align:middle line:90% Citation needed. 00:23:42.270 --> 00:23:44.490 align:middle line:90% 00:23:44.490 --> 00:23:48.250 align:middle line:90% The basic idea being-- 00:23:48.250 --> 00:23:51.880 align:middle line:84% who's seen American Gladiators? 00:23:51.880 --> 00:23:53.788 align:middle line:84% GUEST SPEAKER: They might be too old. 00:23:53.788 --> 00:23:55.610 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: No, no, we had American Gladiators. 00:23:55.610 --> 00:23:56.220 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: I've never-- 00:23:56.220 --> 00:23:57.772 align:middle line:90% I don't know what it is. 00:23:57.772 --> 00:24:00.445 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: OK, there are also a number of Japanese game 00:24:00.445 --> 00:24:02.146 align:middle line:84% shows which are similar to this. 00:24:02.146 --> 00:24:05.116 align:middle line:90% 00:24:05.116 --> 00:24:07.920 align:middle line:84% The basic idea of American Gladiators is that it's 00:24:07.920 --> 00:24:09.537 align:middle line:84% basically an obstacle course where the 00:24:09.537 --> 00:24:11.930 align:middle line:90% obstacles are people. 00:24:11.930 --> 00:24:17.940 align:middle line:84% Happen to be these athletic dudes and women who are either 00:24:17.940 --> 00:24:20.603 align:middle line:84% pummeling you with waffle sticks or shooting tennis 00:24:20.603 --> 00:24:23.436 align:middle line:84% balls at you out of a gun and stuff like that. 00:24:23.436 --> 00:24:25.740 align:middle line:84% And you basically have to get from the beginning to the end 00:24:25.740 --> 00:24:27.710 align:middle line:90% faster than the other team. 00:24:27.710 --> 00:24:29.310 align:middle line:84% Actually, faster than the other player. 00:24:29.310 --> 00:24:32.080 align:middle line:84% So it's two regular dudes and a whole bunch of athletes who 00:24:32.080 --> 00:24:33.330 align:middle line:90% are throwing things at you. 00:24:33.330 --> 00:24:35.380 align:middle line:90% 00:24:35.380 --> 00:24:37.800 align:middle line:84% Every time you get hit you have to go back a little bit. 00:24:37.800 --> 00:24:42.540 align:middle line:84% But the thing about American Gladiators is that you have 00:24:42.540 --> 00:24:44.506 align:middle line:90% this long obstacle course. 00:24:44.506 --> 00:24:45.550 align:middle line:84% In fact, this was one of the events. 00:24:45.550 --> 00:24:49.910 align:middle line:84% This was always the final event of the entire TV show. 00:24:49.910 --> 00:24:54.310 align:middle line:84% Is that, you will have two people doing the same course. 00:24:54.310 --> 00:24:56.470 align:middle line:84% They will have to climb up a wall and then they will have 00:24:56.470 --> 00:25:02.260 align:middle line:90% to go down a zip line. 00:25:02.260 --> 00:25:04.600 align:middle line:84% GUEST SPEAKER: But it was a cargo net specifically. 00:25:04.600 --> 00:25:05.960 align:middle line:84% So it was really difficult to climb up it. 00:25:05.960 --> 00:25:09.990 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: Yeah, the big webbing kind of thing. 00:25:09.990 --> 00:25:11.610 align:middle line:84% It was like climbing the rigging off a ship. 00:25:11.610 --> 00:25:15.990 align:middle line:84% It was really, really, difficult. 00:25:15.990 --> 00:25:19.840 align:middle line:84% So what happens is that if you have two people who are 00:25:19.840 --> 00:25:20.690 align:middle line:90% really, really, far apart-- 00:25:20.690 --> 00:25:22.500 align:middle line:90% one person is way ahead-- 00:25:22.500 --> 00:25:24.700 align:middle line:84% and that person starts climbing the cargo net? 00:25:24.700 --> 00:25:26.795 align:middle line:84% It takes that person forever to get to the end of the cargo 00:25:26.795 --> 00:25:29.294 align:middle line:84% net, because climbing up cargo net is really, really, hard no 00:25:29.294 --> 00:25:30.340 align:middle line:90% matter who you are. 00:25:30.340 --> 00:25:34.390 align:middle line:84% That gives the person behind plenty of time to catch up and 00:25:34.390 --> 00:25:36.510 align:middle line:90% start climbing the cargo net. 00:25:36.510 --> 00:25:40.000 align:middle line:84% But then, the person who was the leader in the first place 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:40.765 align:middle line:90% hits the zip line. 00:25:40.765 --> 00:25:44.220 align:middle line:84% And all of a sudden there's a huge increase in distance. 00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:47.205 align:middle line:84% So this whole idea that they never really 00:25:47.205 --> 00:25:49.890 align:middle line:90% were all that far-- 00:25:49.890 --> 00:25:51.340 align:middle line:84% they never really changed their position. 00:25:51.340 --> 00:25:56.800 align:middle line:84% For most Gladiators games the winner has already been 00:25:56.800 --> 00:25:58.110 align:middle line:90% decided by their points. 00:25:58.110 --> 00:26:01.240 align:middle line:84% Because the first person who reaches the cargo net tends to 00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:02.780 align:middle line:90% win the match. 00:26:02.780 --> 00:26:06.950 align:middle line:84% But it looks like the lead just shrank because suddenly 00:26:06.950 --> 00:26:10.270 align:middle line:84% you've got both of them in one camera shot. 00:26:10.270 --> 00:26:13.140 align:middle line:84% And then you've got that cute-- 00:26:13.140 --> 00:26:15.280 align:middle line:84% mom likes to call that dramatic tension. 00:26:15.280 --> 00:26:17.790 align:middle line:84% Which I think is a better description than it's other 00:26:17.790 --> 00:26:19.330 align:middle line:84% term for the same thing which is drama. 00:26:19.330 --> 00:26:20.320 align:middle line:90% Because it's not drama. 00:26:20.320 --> 00:26:21.570 align:middle line:90% It' s just tension really. 00:26:21.570 --> 00:26:23.720 align:middle line:90% 00:26:23.720 --> 00:26:25.290 align:middle line:90% But that's an aesthetic. 00:26:25.290 --> 00:26:28.290 align:middle line:84% You're going for the aesthetic of tension and coming up with 00:26:28.290 --> 00:26:31.250 align:middle line:84% a game that makes you feel like the fight is closer than 00:26:31.250 --> 00:26:32.650 align:middle line:90% it actually is. 00:26:32.650 --> 00:26:38.630 align:middle line:84% Or allowing someone to close the gap quickly because, many 00:26:38.630 --> 00:26:41.690 align:middle line:84% of you have pointed about, these things probabilistically 00:26:41.690 --> 00:26:43.040 align:middle line:84% mean exactly the same thing as a die roll. 00:26:43.040 --> 00:26:45.560 align:middle line:90% 00:26:45.560 --> 00:26:46.810 align:middle line:90% Let's see. 00:26:46.810 --> 00:26:49.660 align:middle line:90% 00:26:49.660 --> 00:26:56.520 align:middle line:84% But the ability to increase a awkward gap to open up and 00:26:56.520 --> 00:26:59.410 align:middle line:84% then to close, that's actually a dynamic. 00:26:59.410 --> 00:27:02.410 align:middle line:84% That's actually a result of a number of different rules that 00:27:02.410 --> 00:27:05.480 align:middle line:84% are in the particular of the game. 00:27:05.480 --> 00:27:07.810 align:middle line:84% It's not written down that it's going to happen. 00:27:07.810 --> 00:27:10.505 align:middle line:84% But it's pretty much going to happen if you have two people 00:27:10.505 --> 00:27:13.112 align:middle line:84% playing those particular strategies, and one thing that 00:27:13.112 --> 00:27:14.362 align:middle line:90% happens pretty often. 00:27:14.362 --> 00:27:22.850 align:middle line:90% 00:27:22.850 --> 00:27:27.200 align:middle line:84% What are the constraints that you're seeing in the design of 00:27:27.200 --> 00:27:28.450 align:middle line:90% this game here? 00:27:28.450 --> 00:27:31.120 align:middle line:90% 00:27:31.120 --> 00:27:35.484 align:middle line:84% What did this game have to do in order for it to be a viable 00:27:35.484 --> 00:27:35.967 align:middle line:90% in-class exercise? 00:27:35.967 --> 00:27:37.899 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: Fit on a sheet of paper. 00:27:37.899 --> 00:27:39.831 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: Fit on a sheet of paper. 00:27:39.831 --> 00:27:41.210 align:middle line:90% That's a huge one actually. 00:27:41.210 --> 00:27:42.410 align:middle line:84% Because first of all, it limits how many 00:27:42.410 --> 00:27:44.590 align:middle line:90% spaces you've got. 00:27:44.590 --> 00:27:47.130 align:middle line:84% Assuming everyone's using something like a die or a coin 00:27:47.130 --> 00:27:49.540 align:middle line:90% or something. 00:27:49.540 --> 00:27:51.950 align:middle line:84% GUEST SPEAKER: I mean, you can laugh at that but it's 00:27:51.950 --> 00:27:53.930 align:middle line:90% literally how it went. 00:27:53.930 --> 00:27:56.450 align:middle line:84% I wanted it to fit on a sheet of paper and the spaces had to 00:27:56.450 --> 00:27:58.000 align:middle line:90% accommodate a die. 00:27:58.000 --> 00:28:01.430 align:middle line:84% So the number of spaces is a result of that. 00:28:01.430 --> 00:28:02.902 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: It was almost like an accident. 00:28:02.902 --> 00:28:06.830 align:middle line:90% 00:28:06.830 --> 00:28:08.410 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: Well you probably could have fit a few more 00:28:08.410 --> 00:28:09.725 align:middle line:90% squares in there. 00:28:09.725 --> 00:28:11.697 align:middle line:84% GUEST SPEAKER: Probably, but you place some margins. 00:28:11.697 --> 00:28:12.947 align:middle line:90% PROFESSOR: Yeah. 00:28:12.947 --> 00:28:15.641 align:middle line:90% 00:28:15.641 --> 00:28:16.873 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: The rules have to fit on one 00:28:16.873 --> 00:28:18.120 align:middle line:90% sheet of paper as well. 00:28:18.120 --> 00:28:20.260 align:middle line:84% So the rules can't be that complicated. 00:28:20.260 --> 00:28:22.812 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: Most of these rules are single sentences for the 00:28:22.812 --> 00:28:26.060 align:middle line:84% most part, because we are more than [INAUDIBLE]. 00:28:26.060 --> 00:28:30.963 align:middle line:90% 00:28:30.963 --> 00:28:32.248 align:middle line:90% It had to be quick. 00:28:32.248 --> 00:28:34.538 align:middle line:84% It had to work within 10 minutes. 00:28:34.538 --> 00:28:36.590 align:middle line:84% In fact, it had to work so you get through a few games within 00:28:36.590 --> 00:28:39.075 align:middle line:90% 10 minutes. 00:28:39.075 --> 00:28:40.325 align:middle line:84% Anyone only manage to get through one? 00:28:40.325 --> 00:28:43.051 align:middle line:90% 00:28:43.051 --> 00:28:44.301 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: That'd be really hard. 00:28:44.301 --> 00:28:53.270 align:middle line:90% 00:28:53.270 --> 00:28:56.930 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: So different aesthetics. 00:28:56.930 --> 00:29:01.490 align:middle line:84% So, this game tries to get really, really, tense. 00:29:01.490 --> 00:29:04.436 align:middle line:84% But obviously, the decisions that you're actually making in 00:29:04.436 --> 00:29:07.840 align:middle line:90% this game is minimal. 00:29:07.840 --> 00:29:12.880 align:middle line:84% You get to say, well if you are already losing, that has 00:29:12.880 --> 00:29:14.680 align:middle line:90% [INAUDIBLE]. 00:29:14.680 --> 00:29:15.870 align:middle line:90% One rational thing to do. 00:29:15.870 --> 00:29:19.935 align:middle line:84% But if you were playing this game, as Jason recommended, if 00:29:19.935 --> 00:29:22.198 align:middle line:84% I were playing this game against myself there really is 00:29:22.198 --> 00:29:23.325 align:middle line:90% no optimal strategy. 00:29:23.325 --> 00:29:26.223 align:middle line:84% I could pick two different strategies for each side. 00:29:26.223 --> 00:29:27.990 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: It's whoever plays first basically. 00:29:27.990 --> 00:29:30.210 align:middle line:84% Whoever plays first is by default going to win. 00:29:30.210 --> 00:29:31.460 align:middle line:90% PROFESSOR: On average. 00:29:31.460 --> 00:29:34.650 align:middle line:90% 00:29:34.650 --> 00:29:36.690 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: I won every game but one. 00:29:36.690 --> 00:29:38.740 align:middle line:90% I did bad rolling dice. 00:29:38.740 --> 00:29:40.020 align:middle line:84% GUEST SPEAKER: Because if you roll them now-- 00:29:40.020 --> 00:29:42.610 align:middle line:90% 00:29:42.610 --> 00:29:45.720 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: So I would like actually, folks to try mixing 00:29:45.720 --> 00:29:47.060 align:middle line:90% this up a little bit. 00:29:47.060 --> 00:29:53.580 align:middle line:84% Pick a rule in here, any rule, and alter it. 00:29:53.580 --> 00:29:56.040 align:middle line:84% You can do things like adding more squares. 00:29:56.040 --> 00:29:57.340 align:middle line:84% You can change the movement chart. 00:29:57.340 --> 00:30:00.080 align:middle line:90% 00:30:00.080 --> 00:30:02.750 align:middle line:84% One idea that I had, and someone was thinking probably 00:30:02.750 --> 00:30:06.750 align:middle line:84% more recent than me, which is what happens if you use the 00:30:06.750 --> 00:30:10.340 align:middle line:84% higher of two dice rolls instead of just one? 00:30:10.340 --> 00:30:11.940 align:middle line:84% [INAUDIBLE] to the probability. 00:30:11.940 --> 00:30:15.290 align:middle line:90% Play around with that. 00:30:15.290 --> 00:30:19.202 align:middle line:90% See what that feels like. 00:30:19.202 --> 00:30:23.650 align:middle line:84% And if that feels just boring try doing something else. 00:30:23.650 --> 00:30:28.140 align:middle line:90% So we've got 15 minutes? 00:30:28.140 --> 00:30:29.340 align:middle line:84% GUEST SPEAKER: Yeah, that's reasonable. 00:30:29.340 --> 00:30:32.870 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: And then, you'll tell the class about what you 00:30:32.870 --> 00:30:35.098 align:middle line:84% changed and how that changed the feeling of the game. 00:30:35.098 --> 00:30:38.080 align:middle line:90% Cool? 00:30:38.080 --> 00:30:42.420 align:middle line:84% So, every two people, work with a team. 00:30:42.420 --> 00:30:46.630 align:middle line:84% Explain how your game, how your version works, and have 00:30:46.630 --> 00:30:52.570 align:middle line:84% the other group play it and vice versa. 00:30:52.570 --> 00:30:58.663 align:middle line:84% And what we're going to do once everyone's done, you will 00:30:58.663 --> 00:31:03.460 align:middle line:84% tell the class what you felt the other 00:31:03.460 --> 00:31:04.910 align:middle line:90% group's game felt like. 00:31:04.910 --> 00:31:08.430 align:middle line:84% So let someone else figure out what your game aesthetic is. 00:31:08.430 --> 00:31:13.340 align:middle line:84% So, does any team want to just go first in describing the 00:31:13.340 --> 00:31:16.070 align:middle line:90% other team's game? 00:31:16.070 --> 00:31:18.065 align:middle line:90% OK, starting with you. 00:31:18.065 --> 00:31:19.425 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: Do you want us to describe 00:31:19.425 --> 00:31:20.700 align:middle line:90% the rules they changed? 00:31:20.700 --> 00:31:21.100 align:middle line:90% PROFESSOR: Uh, sure. 00:31:21.100 --> 00:31:23.130 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: Or just say-- 00:31:23.130 --> 00:31:26.520 align:middle line:84% the main change in this version was that it's modular. 00:31:26.520 --> 00:31:28.340 align:middle line:84% So you have to land exactly on the end or 00:31:28.340 --> 00:31:29.630 align:middle line:90% otherwise you wrap around. 00:31:29.630 --> 00:31:32.170 align:middle line:90% 00:31:32.170 --> 00:31:35.010 align:middle line:84% It changed the aesthetic a lot because it stopped being a 00:31:35.010 --> 00:31:38.590 align:middle line:84% race against your opponent and became more of trying to 00:31:38.590 --> 00:31:41.630 align:middle line:84% figure out how you can use your tokens to precision just 00:31:41.630 --> 00:31:42.490 align:middle line:90% hit the end. 00:31:42.490 --> 00:31:43.770 align:middle line:90% PROFESSOR: Oh, OK. 00:31:43.770 --> 00:31:46.120 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: More methodical and thoughtful. 00:31:46.120 --> 00:31:48.740 align:middle line:84% You decide whether or not you're going to stockpile 00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:51.360 align:middle line:84% tokens to give you more winning squares and then you 00:31:51.360 --> 00:31:53.660 align:middle line:84% just waited until you landed on a winning square. 00:31:53.660 --> 00:31:54.960 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: So you get a dis-computational 00:31:54.960 --> 00:31:56.410 align:middle line:90% motive to the game? 00:31:56.410 --> 00:31:59.280 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: It was not as competitive. 00:31:59.280 --> 00:32:01.270 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: So one of the discussions we had was, what 00:32:01.270 --> 00:32:03.070 align:middle line:84% if you had three tokens you could just get to the end. 00:32:03.070 --> 00:32:05.290 align:middle line:84% Because we made our tokens move four spaces. 00:32:05.290 --> 00:32:05.690 align:middle line:90% PROFESSOR: OK. 00:32:05.690 --> 00:32:07.154 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: But I just realized, you have to do the die roll 00:32:07.154 --> 00:32:08.130 align:middle line:90% after that. 00:32:08.130 --> 00:32:09.372 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: Yeah. 00:32:09.372 --> 00:32:10.900 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: Oh, yeah. 00:32:10.900 --> 00:32:17.370 align:middle line:90% 00:32:17.370 --> 00:32:20.090 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: They had a really creative role where 00:32:20.090 --> 00:32:22.790 align:middle line:90% they had a 10 here. 00:32:22.790 --> 00:32:24.940 align:middle line:90% So it goes from 0 to 9. 00:32:24.940 --> 00:32:27.670 align:middle line:84% And you roll under a cup and that's the number of spaces 00:32:27.670 --> 00:32:28.880 align:middle line:90% away from the end. 00:32:28.880 --> 00:32:33.300 align:middle line:84% So from 0 to 9 that the winning point is. 00:32:33.300 --> 00:32:35.040 align:middle line:84% And at your turn you can either play normally or you 00:32:35.040 --> 00:32:37.910 align:middle line:84% can check to see where the winning point is. 00:32:37.910 --> 00:32:41.010 align:middle line:84% If you've won, that triggers you winning. 00:32:41.010 --> 00:32:42.510 align:middle line:84% But you cannot win unless you physically check and confirm 00:32:42.510 --> 00:32:45.228 align:middle line:90% that you've won. 00:32:45.228 --> 00:32:49.195 align:middle line:84% So it eats up a turn, but it could be that after two rolls 00:32:49.195 --> 00:32:51.436 align:middle line:84% of two and this was a nine you've won. 00:32:51.436 --> 00:32:53.960 align:middle line:90% 00:32:53.960 --> 00:32:56.150 align:middle line:84% And it was a lot of fun basically because we had to 00:32:56.150 --> 00:33:00.240 align:middle line:84% figure out the optimal strategy but it was just fun. 00:33:00.240 --> 00:33:03.610 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: So what's it feel like when you're trying to 00:33:03.610 --> 00:33:05.310 align:middle line:84% figure out what you're going to do? 00:33:05.310 --> 00:33:07.840 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: He beat me by checking when it was far away 00:33:07.840 --> 00:33:09.090 align:middle line:90% and being lucky. 00:33:09.090 --> 00:33:13.230 align:middle line:90% 00:33:13.230 --> 00:33:14.900 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: So if you don't check you have to reach the 00:33:14.900 --> 00:33:15.700 align:middle line:90% end to win. 00:33:15.700 --> 00:33:19.330 align:middle line:84% So you have to check, usually, anyway. 00:33:19.330 --> 00:33:21.290 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: One thing Alecia had in mind when we were thinking 00:33:21.290 --> 00:33:27.000 align:middle line:84% about the rule was there ought to be information that you can 00:33:27.000 --> 00:33:28.902 align:middle line:84% get from how your opponent reacts after they 00:33:28.902 --> 00:33:31.130 align:middle line:90% look under the cup. 00:33:31.130 --> 00:33:33.220 align:middle line:84% So if they then go and start rolling again or what have 00:33:33.220 --> 00:33:36.880 align:middle line:84% you, or they then start options. 00:33:36.880 --> 00:33:39.880 align:middle line:84% But there must be some way that you can get a leak of 00:33:39.880 --> 00:33:42.980 align:middle line:84% information from their behavior which makes it 00:33:42.980 --> 00:33:44.030 align:middle line:84% interesting in a different way. 00:33:44.030 --> 00:33:45.930 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: If you've have already seen the cup, and you 00:33:45.930 --> 00:33:50.000 align:middle line:84% get past the point, do you have to check to win? 00:33:50.000 --> 00:33:51.726 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: Yeah, we played two different variants. 00:33:51.726 --> 00:33:52.110 align:middle line:90% One where you did. 00:33:52.110 --> 00:33:52.600 align:middle line:90% One where you didn't. 00:33:52.600 --> 00:33:53.840 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: Oh, I see. 00:33:53.840 --> 00:33:55.280 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: Well, you don't have to check the second time. 00:33:55.280 --> 00:33:57.970 align:middle line:84% If you check the first time and then you pass it you win. 00:33:57.970 --> 00:34:00.220 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: So that's why there's one way of playing it. 00:34:00.220 --> 00:34:03.480 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: So the person who checks could win even they're 00:34:03.480 --> 00:34:04.810 align:middle line:90% already passed the point? 00:34:04.810 --> 00:34:07.830 align:middle line:90% Am I understanding this right? 00:34:07.830 --> 00:34:09.820 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: Well, if he's the first past the point. 00:34:09.820 --> 00:34:14.324 align:middle line:84% If you don't have check to win, so if you just need the 00:34:14.324 --> 00:34:17.220 align:middle line:84% knowledge of what the endpoint is, then if he 00:34:17.220 --> 00:34:18.409 align:middle line:90% passes it first he wins. 00:34:18.409 --> 00:34:20.444 align:middle line:84% If when he checks both players are at that 00:34:20.444 --> 00:34:21.600 align:middle line:90% spot then it's a tie. 00:34:21.600 --> 00:34:23.484 align:middle line:90% PROFESSOR: Oh, ok. 00:34:23.484 --> 00:34:25.239 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: But since it's a sequential game it's 00:34:25.239 --> 00:34:25.820 align:middle line:90% impossible. 00:34:25.820 --> 00:34:28.170 align:middle line:84% Other than, at the moment of the check if both players are 00:34:28.170 --> 00:34:29.723 align:middle line:84% at the same spot is it possible for them to win at 00:34:29.723 --> 00:34:30.313 align:middle line:90% the same time. 00:34:30.313 --> 00:34:32.250 align:middle line:90% So that's not really an issue. 00:34:32.250 --> 00:34:34.659 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: What if I check, and you're past me, and you have 00:34:34.659 --> 00:34:35.440 align:middle line:90% passed the check spot? 00:34:35.440 --> 00:34:36.565 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: I don't win. 00:34:36.565 --> 00:34:37.179 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: OK. 00:34:37.179 --> 00:34:38.110 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: Because I never checked. 00:34:38.110 --> 00:34:40.262 align:middle line:84% So as long as I don't know I don't win. 00:34:40.262 --> 00:34:42.840 align:middle line:90% 00:34:42.840 --> 00:34:44.790 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: Hey, he makes me think of a different variant. 00:34:44.790 --> 00:34:46.040 align:middle line:90% But OK. 00:34:46.040 --> 00:34:48.420 align:middle line:90% 00:34:48.420 --> 00:34:51.810 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: So what they did was they introduced 00:34:51.810 --> 00:34:52.560 align:middle line:90% a couple new rules. 00:34:52.560 --> 00:34:56.366 align:middle line:84% The first rule being that, the person who rolls first on 00:34:56.366 --> 00:34:59.100 align:middle line:84% their first turn they cannot put down a token. 00:34:59.100 --> 00:35:00.720 align:middle line:90% So they actually have to roll. 00:35:00.720 --> 00:35:04.730 align:middle line:84% The second rule is, whenever you roll if you have a bonus 00:35:04.730 --> 00:35:06.990 align:middle line:84% token on the stockpile you have two 00:35:06.990 --> 00:35:08.160 align:middle line:90% options after you roll. 00:35:08.160 --> 00:35:09.610 align:middle line:84% One is, you can take it off and move 00:35:09.610 --> 00:35:10.840 align:middle line:90% two spaces like normal. 00:35:10.840 --> 00:35:14.030 align:middle line:84% The second is, you can choose to make that block impassible. 00:35:14.030 --> 00:35:17.640 align:middle line:84% So what this does is your opponent cannot 00:35:17.640 --> 00:35:18.265 align:middle line:90% land on that block. 00:35:18.265 --> 00:35:21.095 align:middle line:84% If they are already on that block they get pushed one 00:35:21.095 --> 00:35:22.130 align:middle line:90% block back. 00:35:22.130 --> 00:35:25.040 align:middle line:84% If they are behind it, and they roll and they move to 00:35:25.040 --> 00:35:27.460 align:middle line:84% that block, they get pushed one block behind it. 00:35:27.460 --> 00:35:28.763 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: So they're changing the block 00:35:28.763 --> 00:35:29.455 align:middle line:90% while you're playing. 00:35:29.455 --> 00:35:30.165 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: Yes. 00:35:30.165 --> 00:35:31.120 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: And how did that feel while you 00:35:31.120 --> 00:35:32.100 align:middle line:90% were actually playing? 00:35:32.100 --> 00:35:33.350 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: We didn't actually use it that much. 00:35:33.350 --> 00:35:39.520 align:middle line:90% 00:35:39.520 --> 00:35:41.245 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: I felt like the penalty for the impassable 00:35:41.245 --> 00:35:42.540 align:middle line:90% block should have been more. 00:35:42.540 --> 00:35:44.675 align:middle line:84% Because if you land on the block that they're on, and 00:35:44.675 --> 00:35:46.940 align:middle line:84% make them move back one, that token would otherwise have 00:35:46.940 --> 00:35:47.745 align:middle line:90% made you move forward two. 00:35:47.745 --> 00:35:51.040 align:middle line:84% So it doesn't really reward you for that. 00:35:51.040 --> 00:35:53.830 align:middle line:84% I felt it could have been really awesome if the penalty 00:35:53.830 --> 00:35:55.640 align:middle line:90% was significantly more severe. 00:35:55.640 --> 00:35:58.800 align:middle line:84% Because it's hard to get in front of them enough to 00:35:58.800 --> 00:36:01.945 align:middle line:84% actually make a block impassable and have them land 00:36:01.945 --> 00:36:04.710 align:middle line:90% on it later. 00:36:04.710 --> 00:36:05.470 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: Probably to all the way back or something. 00:36:05.470 --> 00:36:07.240 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: Yeah exactly. 00:36:07.240 --> 00:36:08.550 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: So try multiplying it by two 00:36:08.550 --> 00:36:09.800 align:middle line:90% and see what happens. 00:36:09.800 --> 00:36:17.706 align:middle line:90% 00:36:17.706 --> 00:36:21.650 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: Yeah, and then you can always go land on it. 00:36:21.650 --> 00:36:23.570 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: If you're like, hmm, that should have changed 00:36:23.570 --> 00:36:24.820 align:middle line:90% the game play but that didn't. 00:36:24.820 --> 00:36:27.410 align:middle line:90% 00:36:27.410 --> 00:36:31.020 align:middle line:84% One of the tricks in chapter one was just make it bigger 00:36:31.020 --> 00:36:32.090 align:middle line:90% and see what happens. 00:36:32.090 --> 00:36:35.170 align:middle line:84% If nothing else it will just give you more information on 00:36:35.170 --> 00:36:36.430 align:middle line:84% whether you should be spending any more 00:36:36.430 --> 00:36:39.390 align:middle line:90% time with this direction. 00:36:39.390 --> 00:36:43.373 align:middle line:84% Or whether it really isn't going to affect the way how 00:36:43.373 --> 00:36:45.510 align:middle line:84% people play because people don't end up caring about it. 00:36:45.510 --> 00:36:48.916 align:middle line:84% So the rule of twos is just multiply something by two, or 00:36:48.916 --> 00:36:50.807 align:middle line:84% half it by two, and see what happens. 00:36:50.807 --> 00:36:54.390 align:middle line:84% Obviously halving by two would not in this work. 00:36:54.390 --> 00:36:56.720 align:middle line:90% Who else? 00:36:56.720 --> 00:36:59.660 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: So actually they had these tokens as power-ups. 00:36:59.660 --> 00:37:01.200 align:middle line:84% And you would never actually take them off 00:37:01.200 --> 00:37:02.530 align:middle line:90% to move more spaces. 00:37:02.530 --> 00:37:05.400 align:middle line:84% You would just keep adding tokens and you could roll. 00:37:05.400 --> 00:37:09.570 align:middle line:84% So you can spend one turn to put a token on and in 00:37:09.570 --> 00:37:13.120 align:middle line:84% consequent rolls you could essentially say, I have N 00:37:13.120 --> 00:37:18.830 align:middle line:84% tokens therefore I roll N plus 1 dice and subtract N. 00:37:18.830 --> 00:37:20.080 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: I think that's one dice. 00:37:20.080 --> 00:37:22.920 align:middle line:90% 00:37:22.920 --> 00:37:24.050 align:middle line:90% [INTERPOSING VOICES] 00:37:24.050 --> 00:37:26.690 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: --and then you roll a die for each token you have, 00:37:26.690 --> 00:37:29.740 align:middle line:84% and then you move back one space for each token you have. 00:37:29.740 --> 00:37:30.500 align:middle line:90% PROFESSOR: Interesting. 00:37:30.500 --> 00:37:31.300 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: So it moves your average and your 00:37:31.300 --> 00:37:33.091 align:middle line:90% maximum up each time. 00:37:33.091 --> 00:37:35.130 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: So you could act it as a power yourself up. 00:37:35.130 --> 00:37:37.880 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: And you could also remove tokens to take away 00:37:37.880 --> 00:37:39.512 align:middle line:84% tokens from the other guy, right? 00:37:39.512 --> 00:37:41.074 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: Yeah. 00:37:41.074 --> 00:37:42.550 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: Which we never actually did. 00:37:42.550 --> 00:37:46.540 align:middle line:90% 00:37:46.540 --> 00:37:49.835 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: I guess we forgot to go into that, you don't take 00:37:49.835 --> 00:37:52.190 align:middle line:84% out all the tokens when you do your special move. 00:37:52.190 --> 00:37:53.870 align:middle line:90% They stay in there. 00:37:53.870 --> 00:37:55.670 align:middle line:84% Because, mathematically speaking if you take them off 00:37:55.670 --> 00:37:58.860 align:middle line:90% it makes it worse. 00:37:58.860 --> 00:38:03.823 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: So, I mean, that's an important object lesson in 00:38:03.823 --> 00:38:06.520 align:middle line:84% how to explain the rules to the people. 00:38:06.520 --> 00:38:08.950 align:middle line:84% How'd it feel while you were playing their version? 00:38:08.950 --> 00:38:13.755 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: It made my mind tired, being N plus 1 minus N. 00:38:13.755 --> 00:38:15.240 align:middle line:90% But, it was interesting. 00:38:15.240 --> 00:38:16.080 align:middle line:90% I actually used it. 00:38:16.080 --> 00:38:18.530 align:middle line:84% Before I said I would only use the die, but this time I 00:38:18.530 --> 00:38:19.100 align:middle line:90% actually used tokens. 00:38:19.100 --> 00:38:20.000 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: And what happened when you 00:38:20.000 --> 00:38:21.080 align:middle line:90% actually used the token? 00:38:21.080 --> 00:38:23.394 align:middle line:90% Was it like yes! 00:38:23.394 --> 00:38:27.870 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: Like I said, the math made it too hard. 00:38:27.870 --> 00:38:30.110 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: Well something happened. 00:38:30.110 --> 00:38:33.940 align:middle line:84% It made you use the tokens as opposed to ignoring them. 00:38:33.940 --> 00:38:35.190 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: It was interesting. 00:38:35.190 --> 00:38:39.070 align:middle line:90% 00:38:39.070 --> 00:38:42.500 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: So, the rule that they gave was that if you are 00:38:42.500 --> 00:38:43.820 align:middle line:90% behind the player-- 00:38:43.820 --> 00:38:50.580 align:middle line:84% by behind, they mean if your piece is behind the other one. 00:38:50.580 --> 00:38:51.663 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: Losing, in second place. 00:38:51.663 --> 00:38:56.100 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: Right, but not in the imaginary sense. 00:38:56.100 --> 00:38:57.350 align:middle line:90% Well, whatever. 00:38:57.350 --> 00:39:00.044 align:middle line:90% 00:39:00.044 --> 00:39:03.320 align:middle line:84% If you're physically behind them then when you use a token 00:39:03.320 --> 00:39:05.270 align:middle line:84% you get to use one extra space ahead. 00:39:05.270 --> 00:39:09.226 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: OK, if you use two tokens do you end up getting? 00:39:09.226 --> 00:39:10.590 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: It's still one space. 00:39:10.590 --> 00:39:12.380 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: So how did that feel? 00:39:12.380 --> 00:39:14.970 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: It actually changed the strategy a little bit 00:39:14.970 --> 00:39:16.590 align:middle line:84% because in the beginning you basically don't want to be the 00:39:16.590 --> 00:39:18.027 align:middle line:90% person that moves first. 00:39:18.027 --> 00:39:21.010 align:middle line:84% Because then your opponent can just use all their tokens and 00:39:21.010 --> 00:39:22.470 align:middle line:90% get a lot better than you. 00:39:22.470 --> 00:39:23.720 align:middle line:90% PROFESSOR: Oh, I see. 00:39:23.720 --> 00:39:26.590 align:middle line:90% 00:39:26.590 --> 00:39:28.446 align:middle line:84% GUEST SPEAKER: You may want to talk about tokens and what it 00:39:28.446 --> 00:39:30.890 align:middle line:84% feels playing it ahead of you so that you can 00:39:30.890 --> 00:39:32.220 align:middle line:90% use them, you can-- 00:39:32.220 --> 00:39:34.372 align:middle line:90% [INTERPOSING VOICES] 00:39:34.372 --> 00:39:35.815 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: Rather then you just sit at the 00:39:35.815 --> 00:39:37.790 align:middle line:90% start point every time. 00:39:37.790 --> 00:39:40.254 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: So pretty much the person who goes second? 00:39:40.254 --> 00:39:43.160 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: Is at an advantage. 00:39:43.160 --> 00:39:46.620 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: So that should be a negative feedback loop, which 00:39:46.620 --> 00:39:50.310 align:middle line:84% we'll we get to I guess in the next class, but the whole idea 00:39:50.310 --> 00:39:52.140 align:middle line:84% being there is a gap between players. 00:39:52.140 --> 00:39:55.250 align:middle line:84% And you have game mechanics specifically designed to 00:39:55.250 --> 00:39:56.380 align:middle line:90% narrow the gap. 00:39:56.380 --> 00:39:58.580 align:middle line:84% Those are negative feedback loops. 00:39:58.580 --> 00:39:59.810 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: Mario Kart! 00:39:59.810 --> 00:40:03.730 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: Mario Kart's blue shell, it's the other 00:40:03.730 --> 00:40:04.540 align:middle line:90% direction right? 00:40:04.540 --> 00:40:07.565 align:middle line:84% To knock back the person who's leading rather than helping 00:40:07.565 --> 00:40:09.710 align:middle line:90% you catch up. 00:40:09.710 --> 00:40:12.564 align:middle line:84% Actually, a lot of Mario Kart's mechanics are basically 00:40:12.564 --> 00:40:14.350 align:middle line:84% designed to help reduce the lead. 00:40:14.350 --> 00:40:15.600 align:middle line:90% All right, cool. 00:40:15.600 --> 00:40:19.110 align:middle line:90% 00:40:19.110 --> 00:40:21.680 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: They add one rule in keeping everything else equal. 00:40:21.680 --> 00:40:26.030 align:middle line:84% They add a second die and then the way it worked was you 00:40:26.030 --> 00:40:29.280 align:middle line:84% arbitrarily assigned people odd or even numbers. 00:40:29.280 --> 00:40:32.580 align:middle line:84% And then you roll and would go on that particular turn. 00:40:32.580 --> 00:40:34.216 align:middle line:84% And then that person, whoever it was 00:40:34.216 --> 00:40:36.030 align:middle line:90% assigned to, would play. 00:40:36.030 --> 00:40:37.660 align:middle line:84% And then you would roll again to see who would went the next 00:40:37.660 --> 00:40:40.660 align:middle line:90% turn and so on and so forth? 00:40:40.660 --> 00:40:42.026 align:middle line:90% PROFESSOR: How'd that feel? 00:40:42.026 --> 00:40:45.232 align:middle line:90% 00:40:45.232 --> 00:40:49.070 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: I got a tad memory with Mario Kart. 00:40:49.070 --> 00:40:50.320 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: It's like what, again? 00:40:50.320 --> 00:40:52.330 align:middle line:90% 00:40:52.330 --> 00:40:58.475 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: Many mechanics describe as very Mario Kart. 00:40:58.475 --> 00:41:00.840 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: Well, Mario Kart is actually a collection of a lot 00:41:00.840 --> 00:41:06.240 align:middle line:84% of fairly fundamental mechanics. 00:41:06.240 --> 00:41:11.080 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: I felt like just rolling to see who'd win. 00:41:11.080 --> 00:41:13.860 align:middle line:84% The sense that you were just playing for luck. 00:41:13.860 --> 00:41:16.210 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: So it amplified the randomness basically? 00:41:16.210 --> 00:41:18.704 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: Yeah, which I actually detest personally. 00:41:18.704 --> 00:41:21.692 align:middle line:90% 00:41:21.692 --> 00:41:24.606 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: That rule is like initiative rule in Star Wars 00:41:24.606 --> 00:41:25.856 align:middle line:84% Miniatures and Dungeons and Dragons. 00:41:25.856 --> 00:41:27.930 align:middle line:90% 00:41:27.930 --> 00:41:31.210 align:middle line:84% And like in that case where there's actual strategic 00:41:31.210 --> 00:41:34.370 align:middle line:84% decisions to be made it's actually cool. 00:41:34.370 --> 00:41:36.820 align:middle line:84% Because it means that you never know whether you're 00:41:36.820 --> 00:41:38.780 align:middle line:84% going to be able to capitalize on the position that you're in 00:41:38.780 --> 00:41:40.750 align:middle line:90% at the end of the turn. 00:41:40.750 --> 00:41:43.530 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: But since we both know optimal strategy for the 00:41:43.530 --> 00:41:46.748 align:middle line:84% original game it was just pure luck. 00:41:46.748 --> 00:41:48.180 align:middle line:90% So there was no strategy. 00:41:48.180 --> 00:41:49.680 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: So it almost becomes like a gambling game 00:41:49.680 --> 00:41:52.554 align:middle line:90% or a game of chance. 00:41:52.554 --> 00:41:54.949 align:middle line:90% Cool. 00:41:54.949 --> 00:41:58.084 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: They added different dice you could roll for 00:41:58.084 --> 00:42:00.008 align:middle line:90% different effects. 00:42:00.008 --> 00:42:02.894 align:middle line:84% Such as, if you roll the D20 you can go 10 spaces. 00:42:02.894 --> 00:42:04.337 align:middle line:90% If you need to go 17, 18-- 00:42:04.337 --> 00:42:04.818 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: Or 18, 19, 20. 00:42:04.818 --> 00:42:04.978 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: -- 00:42:04.978 --> 00:42:06.742 align:middle line:90% Or 18, 19, 20. 00:42:06.742 --> 00:42:11.492 align:middle line:84% So they added the D10 which also had 00:42:11.492 --> 00:42:13.384 align:middle line:90% similar effects and deviate. 00:42:13.384 --> 00:42:16.060 align:middle line:84% So Patrick and I pretty much experimented with-- well, he 00:42:16.060 --> 00:42:17.310 align:middle line:84% just rolled D20 the entire time. 00:42:17.310 --> 00:42:20.820 align:middle line:90% 00:42:20.820 --> 00:42:29.855 align:middle line:84% And I experimented with rolling the D8 and the D10. 00:42:29.855 --> 00:42:33.030 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: Why would you not roll the D10? 00:42:33.030 --> 00:42:35.886 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: I started feeling impatient. 00:42:35.886 --> 00:42:37.315 align:middle line:84% I would forget everything about Alec and what 00:42:37.315 --> 00:42:38.290 align:middle line:90% he wanted to do. 00:42:38.290 --> 00:42:40.520 align:middle line:84% And every turn I would roll the D20 hoping to 00:42:40.520 --> 00:42:43.025 align:middle line:90% get 18, 19, or 20. 00:42:43.025 --> 00:42:44.477 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: By the way, with the D20 if you don't roll any of 00:42:44.477 --> 00:42:46.070 align:middle line:90% those you go zero spaces. 00:42:46.070 --> 00:42:48.216 align:middle line:90% So that's actually the risk. 00:42:48.216 --> 00:42:50.940 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: So you could either win the game or go nowhere. 00:42:50.940 --> 00:42:54.390 align:middle line:90% 00:42:54.390 --> 00:42:55.390 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: So I roll the D20 wanting to get 18,19, or 20. 00:42:55.390 --> 00:42:58.980 align:middle line:84% And not until I roll the 18, 19, or 20 would I care where 00:42:58.980 --> 00:43:01.592 align:middle line:90% he was on the board. 00:43:01.592 --> 00:43:03.772 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: It's you and the dice. 00:43:03.772 --> 00:43:05.694 align:middle line:84% It's just you and the randomness. 00:43:05.694 --> 00:43:09.052 align:middle line:90% 00:43:09.052 --> 00:43:10.302 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: I rolled twice too. 00:43:10.302 --> 00:43:13.870 align:middle line:90% 00:43:13.870 --> 00:43:16.090 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: Like what you described earlier is that 00:43:16.090 --> 00:43:19.220 align:middle line:84% whether you're behind or in front of someone changed the 00:43:19.220 --> 00:43:21.280 align:middle line:84% way that you would play in the original version. 00:43:21.280 --> 00:43:23.570 align:middle line:84% Now, no longer really matters anymore, right? 00:43:23.570 --> 00:43:26.110 align:middle line:90% It's just you and the dice. 00:43:26.110 --> 00:43:28.104 align:middle line:84% And when the universe loves you, you just 00:43:28.104 --> 00:43:28.680 align:middle line:90% automatically win. 00:43:28.680 --> 00:43:31.910 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: The intention was to have the D20 for when you were 00:43:31.910 --> 00:43:33.530 align:middle line:84% way behind and the other one if you were 00:43:33.530 --> 00:43:34.950 align:middle line:90% only slightly behind. 00:43:34.950 --> 00:43:38.310 align:middle line:84% Apparently that's not how it was used. 00:43:38.310 --> 00:43:40.090 align:middle line:90% [INAUDIBLE] design, right? 00:43:40.090 --> 00:43:42.415 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: Well, a good example of the aesthetic you 00:43:42.415 --> 00:43:44.522 align:middle line:84% were going for not being the aesthetic that was actually 00:43:44.522 --> 00:43:45.740 align:middle line:90% experienced. 00:43:45.740 --> 00:43:48.821 align:middle line:84% So, it's still a powerful aesthetic it's just a 00:43:48.821 --> 00:43:51.767 align:middle line:84% different thing than what you planned. 00:43:51.767 --> 00:43:53.980 align:middle line:84% I think I might have skipped you guys? 00:43:53.980 --> 00:43:55.120 align:middle line:90% Sorry about that. 00:43:55.120 --> 00:43:59.670 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: So their new rule was, if you are physically 00:43:59.670 --> 00:44:02.990 align:middle line:84% ahead and you roll a six instead of only going three 00:44:02.990 --> 00:44:04.220 align:middle line:90% you would go four. 00:44:04.220 --> 00:44:06.340 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: If you're physically ahead and you roll 00:44:06.340 --> 00:44:07.790 align:middle line:90% a six you go? 00:44:07.790 --> 00:44:09.040 align:middle line:90% Oh, OK. 00:44:09.040 --> 00:44:11.040 align:middle line:90% 00:44:11.040 --> 00:44:12.290 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: [INAUDIBLE]. 00:44:12.290 --> 00:44:15.195 align:middle line:90% 00:44:15.195 --> 00:44:17.950 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: At first, we tried playing it in a similar way of 00:44:17.950 --> 00:44:18.750 align:middle line:90% how we did before. 00:44:18.750 --> 00:44:20.710 align:middle line:84% And it really felt like the person who was ahead 00:44:20.710 --> 00:44:21.890 align:middle line:90% was ahead even more. 00:44:21.890 --> 00:44:24.785 align:middle line:84% And now everyone's rolling, because as soon as you roll 00:44:24.785 --> 00:44:26.725 align:middle line:84% you get a higher expectation value. 00:44:26.725 --> 00:44:30.490 align:middle line:90% 00:44:30.490 --> 00:44:35.200 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: So you prefer the low-ball luck rather than the? 00:44:35.200 --> 00:44:39.740 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: So the problem is if you put a token down and they 00:44:39.740 --> 00:44:41.395 align:middle line:84% roll at least a one so you're guaranteed you're 00:44:41.395 --> 00:44:41.900 align:middle line:90% going to be the high. 00:44:41.900 --> 00:44:44.870 align:middle line:84% And then they have a higher expectation. 00:44:44.870 --> 00:44:47.778 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: How does it feel to play? 00:44:47.778 --> 00:44:51.400 align:middle line:84% Mathematically that's what it means, but-- 00:44:51.400 --> 00:44:52.090 align:middle line:90% [INTERPOSING VOICES] 00:44:52.090 --> 00:44:56.253 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: Actually, in playing the first game I don't think 00:44:56.253 --> 00:44:57.500 align:middle line:90% it actually came up at all. 00:44:57.500 --> 00:45:03.526 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: And then in the second game, I believe it did? 00:45:03.526 --> 00:45:06.610 align:middle line:84% And to me it didn't really feel like it changed. 00:45:06.610 --> 00:45:09.780 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: For me, the entire time I felt like the person 00:45:09.780 --> 00:45:13.460 align:middle line:90% who was ahead was more ahead. 00:45:13.460 --> 00:45:15.900 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: It would come up more if your board was longer. 00:45:15.900 --> 00:45:18.114 align:middle line:84% It really encourages you to stockpile for 00:45:18.114 --> 00:45:20.524 align:middle line:90% the first few turns. 00:45:20.524 --> 00:45:22.934 align:middle line:84% But if you're encouraged more than you might want to search. 00:45:22.934 --> 00:45:25.344 align:middle line:90% That's contrary to-- 00:45:25.344 --> 00:45:26.910 align:middle line:84% GUEST SPEAKER: When you guys were going over mistakes did 00:45:26.910 --> 00:45:29.220 align:middle line:84% you feel like it changed your strategy? 00:45:29.220 --> 00:45:30.470 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: Yes. 00:45:30.470 --> 00:45:33.090 align:middle line:90% 00:45:33.090 --> 00:45:36.590 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: It made rolling feel like a [INAUDIBLE]. 00:45:36.590 --> 00:45:38.060 align:middle line:90% Which was the point right? 00:45:38.060 --> 00:45:39.802 align:middle line:84% That's what you guys were aiming for? 00:45:39.802 --> 00:45:42.540 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: The alternate rule that we had toyed with was, if 00:45:42.540 --> 00:45:45.895 align:middle line:84% you're ahead and you put down a token you have to roll. 00:45:45.895 --> 00:45:48.250 align:middle line:84% And if you get a six you have to move one step back. 00:45:48.250 --> 00:45:51.741 align:middle line:84% So there's a one in six chance that there'll be a penalty for 00:45:51.741 --> 00:45:52.540 align:middle line:90% [INAUDIBLE]. 00:45:52.540 --> 00:45:54.453 align:middle line:84% Because precisely what you mentioned, which is that when 00:45:54.453 --> 00:45:55.436 align:middle line:84% you're ahead the dominant strategy is 00:45:55.436 --> 00:45:56.300 align:middle line:90% to reduce the variance. 00:45:56.300 --> 00:45:57.708 align:middle line:84% So we were just playing with stuff to make you want to roll 00:45:57.708 --> 00:45:59.190 align:middle line:90% more basically. 00:45:59.190 --> 00:46:08.380 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: OK, so dynamically that tells you to roll more. 00:46:08.380 --> 00:46:10.700 align:middle line:84% I would say aesthetically you have the whole Monopoly 00:46:10.700 --> 00:46:12.140 align:middle line:84% situation where the person who's 00:46:12.140 --> 00:46:13.730 align:middle line:90% winning just keeps winning. 00:46:13.730 --> 00:46:18.240 align:middle line:84% And there are times when you actually want that feeling. 00:46:18.240 --> 00:46:20.530 align:middle line:84% Especially when it came to the game of Monopoly, the whole 00:46:20.530 --> 00:46:24.003 align:middle line:84% point of the game was huge financial embarrassments. 00:46:24.003 --> 00:46:26.000 align:middle line:84% And it's like, wow I have no money and I'm just going to 00:46:26.000 --> 00:46:26.360 align:middle line:90% keep losing money. 00:46:26.360 --> 00:46:27.220 align:middle line:84% That was the point of the game actually. 00:46:27.220 --> 00:46:30.660 align:middle line:84% That's why it's called Monopoly. 00:46:30.660 --> 00:46:31.780 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: The thing about it is, the person who's 00:46:31.780 --> 00:46:34.620 align:middle line:84% physically ahead may not actually be ahead in terms of 00:46:34.620 --> 00:46:37.490 align:middle line:84% absolute game play because the other person 00:46:37.490 --> 00:46:39.960 align:middle line:90% has stockpiled tokens. 00:46:39.960 --> 00:46:42.909 align:middle line:84% And we weren't sure whether determining who was ahead by 00:46:42.909 --> 00:46:45.700 align:middle line:84% counting the tokens in the equation or not was a better 00:46:45.700 --> 00:46:48.700 align:middle line:84% game rule if we didn't have that type of test. 00:46:48.700 --> 00:46:51.430 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: Give it a shot [INAUDIBLE]. 00:46:51.430 --> 00:46:54.530 align:middle line:84% The one thing we came up with was-- 00:46:54.530 --> 00:46:56.140 align:middle line:84% at first we thought it wouldn't change the game at 00:46:56.140 --> 00:46:56.820 align:middle line:90% all I guess. 00:46:56.820 --> 00:46:59.650 align:middle line:84% Which was basically, instead of spending tokens to go 00:46:59.650 --> 00:47:02.786 align:middle line:84% forward two steps you spend tokens to knock your opponent 00:47:02.786 --> 00:47:04.974 align:middle line:90% back two steps. 00:47:04.974 --> 00:47:07.890 align:middle line:84% Completely changed the game play. 00:47:07.890 --> 00:47:08.862 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: We tried that. 00:47:08.862 --> 00:47:10.112 align:middle line:90% It sucks. 00:47:10.112 --> 00:47:12.680 align:middle line:90% 00:47:12.680 --> 00:47:15.280 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: Stock piled first and then you knock people back 00:47:15.280 --> 00:47:18.770 align:middle line:84% so you didn't go anywhere for the first 10 turns. 00:47:18.770 --> 00:47:20.198 align:middle line:84% And then you realize that nothing is going to happen. 00:47:20.198 --> 00:47:21.150 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: And then we just kept rolling. 00:47:21.150 --> 00:47:24.010 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: Rolled the rest of the time. 00:47:24.010 --> 00:47:24.860 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: Which is a completely different way to 00:47:24.860 --> 00:47:26.110 align:middle line:90% play the game. 00:47:26.110 --> 00:47:27.830 align:middle line:90% 00:47:27.830 --> 00:47:30.000 align:middle line:84% That whole process of stockpiling right at the 00:47:30.000 --> 00:47:31.570 align:middle line:90% beginning is-- 00:47:31.570 --> 00:47:33.470 align:middle line:84% sure, we could have both started with a stack of three 00:47:33.470 --> 00:47:37.740 align:middle line:84% each because that's really what happened three turns in. 00:47:37.740 --> 00:47:39.940 align:middle line:90% But the whole act of-- 00:47:39.940 --> 00:47:43.960 align:middle line:90% 00:47:43.960 --> 00:47:46.860 align:middle line:84% that felt really like, OK clearly you're 00:47:46.860 --> 00:47:48.110 align:middle line:90% setting out to kill me. 00:47:48.110 --> 00:47:53.656 align:middle line:90% 00:47:53.656 --> 00:47:54.800 align:middle line:90% AUDIENCE: Can you move? 00:47:54.800 --> 00:47:57.500 align:middle line:84% PROFESSOR: No, we had it so it wouldn't be a point spending 00:47:57.500 --> 00:48:00.030 align:middle line:84% it when you're right at the beginning. 00:48:00.030 --> 00:48:02.960 align:middle line:84% But there was that whole arms race feel that really didn't 00:48:02.960 --> 00:48:04.210 align:middle line:90% happen the first game. 00:48:04.210 --> 00:48:07.910 align:middle line:90% 00:48:07.910 --> 00:48:13.820 align:middle line:84% All it did really was make the game longer, but it felt mean. 00:48:13.820 --> 00:48:20.060 align:middle line:84% OK, that's pretty much it for today I guess. 00:48:20.060 --> 00:48:22.530 align:middle line:84% GUEST SPEAKER: And we need the poker chips and all the dice 00:48:22.530 --> 00:48:23.054 align:middle line:84% back but you can keep the game boards if you're 00:48:23.054 --> 00:48:24.304 align:middle line:90% really happy with them. 00:48:24.304 --> 00:48:31.994 align:middle line:90% 00:48:31.994 --> 00:48:34.160 align:middle line:84% AUDIENCE: How long did this game take you to make? 00:48:34.160 --> 00:48:35.630 align:middle line:84% GUEST SPEAKER: It took longer to make the board 00:48:35.630 --> 00:48:36.880 align:middle line:90% than to make the rules. 00:48:36.880 --> 00:48:42.449 align:middle line:90%