Monthly Game Design Challenge

As I wrote in my previous post, I will start a Monthly Game Design Challenge. Right here, right now.

What is it?
The Monthly Game Design Challenge is much as the name implies, a challenge I want to set each month. The challenge will be to create a board-, card-, dice- or otherwise non-digital game with an assignment including restrictions and a theme.

Why?
To put creativity to the test. To practice designing for various target audiences. To train Game Design skills. To have a lot of fun creating new games.

For who?
To begin with, for me. But I will be inviting fellow-students and friends. And anyone who reads this and wants to give it a try. Whether they keep the result to themselves or share them.

How will the challenges be set?
I will put together a list (or array if you will) containing:
- Game Assets (dice, cards, symbols etc.)
- Themes (pirate, shopping mart etc.)
- Play Types (< 12 years, strategic etc.)

Anyone is welcome to send (mail, reactions, call) me any idea's they have for any of the above categories so I can add them to the list. At the start of every new month I will randomly select 1-3 Game Assets, 1 Theme and 1 Play Type from the list.

So what will a challenge look like?
A challenge may look like this:
"This month, create a game about Scuba diving that uses 5 six-sided dice and a chessboard, and is targeted at age 8-12."

This means the final design at the end of the month must include 5 six-sided dice and a chessboard, but may very well also feature a set of cards, plastic mini-figs, coins etc.

When will the Monthly Game Design Challenge start?
I will start as of now to create the list mentioned earlier. The first challenge will be announced Feb. 1st, 2010.

I will be blogging about my process and outcome with every challenge. I welcome others to do the same, reply to my entries or e-mail me. If this grows to be something that is enjoyed and practiced by more people than just me and some friends I will put up a website to archive and share projects. In case it gets that far I look forward to shape the whole thing into a casual competition, with titles to be won etc.

For now, that's it. More on this in February with the first challenge.

Rik out.

[Photo by fdecomite]