Video game designers tend to fixate largely on creating experiences to be shown on a digital display. This workshop is aimed to get designers also thinking about the social and physical aspects of the games they create. There’ll be discussion about real life rules fuzziness and playing to the strengths of your chosen medium. Then participants will be encouraged to test their physical game rapid prototyping skills.

It is a good skill for game designers to possess is the ability to deconstruct the world around them, so the first lesson will be a primer on basic media literacy. Afterwards we’ll use this knowledge to deconstruct the models of play that digital and physical games employ. Examples will be shown, and played, of games that already experiment in this space. Then participants will then be challenged to make physical games that are on some level impossible to replicate in a digital manner.

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Event Details

Sunday, April 29th, 1-4pm
Electric Perfume, 805 Danforth Ave.
Facebook Event Page

Requirements

• Basic game design understanding and strong game literacy are required. The workshop is framed around things not possible in a digital game scenario, so experience in digital game creation is preferred.
• This is not really meant for people with extensive board game design background.

Pricing

• $25+HST for HES members (Monthly, Annual, Student, Studio, Volunteer)
• $40+HST for non-members (Not a member? Sign up here!)

Workshop size is 12 participants maximum. If you are in financial need or have accessibility requirements, please contact info@handeyesociety.com and we will try our best to make alternate arrangements.

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About the Instructor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Damian Sommer / @DamianSommer
1/4 of the Gloam Collective, currently working on Bravery Network. In a previous life he made the IGF-nominated storytelling game The Yawhg, as well as the randomly generated Chess-like, Chesh.

Notes on this workshop:

“The core driving idea is that the shift to the digital space moved the market away from games requiring face-to-face interaction. This is a shame because manipulating people’s behavior is the most interesting design space, for me. The modern board game renaissance, as well as the ongoing success of tabletop role-playing games are a testament that face to face interaction is a very successful, and even lucrative tool to explore.  Looking at your player 2 in the eye sparks something that can’t be recreated online (yet). Digital games worth trying that already play in this space are Johann Sebastian Joust, as well as Bounden.“

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More Experimental Game Design Workshops!

The Hand Eye Society is proud to present a series of workshops that encourages participants to create games in a new light. Coordinated by game-makers known for their thoughtful and innovative approaches to playful media, these workshops attempt to educate from more experimental, alternative perspectives. Participants will be able to take home useful technical skills, while being encouraged to explore unique game mechanics and meaningful themes in their own practice. This program is made possible by the generous support of the Ontario Arts Council.

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This workshop was made possible by the Ontario Arts Council.