Group Post
I was in a group with Eni, Sushmita, and Das. First, we started talking about our individual experiences and took notes. Everyone had a compelling story to tell, so we used the most compelling information to incorporate it into our game. Ideas like detours, initial preparations, and other important decisions that helped us fast track our way to Parsons. We included images that represented two different routes of our lives; one depicts our decision to pursue Parsons and the other which depicts the opposite, like the military.
Once we had enough information from the group, we collectively brainstormed ideas that would make our game interesting. We agreed that it should be interactive, where players have to speak up, act out, or engage with other players. One thing that we did to incorporate our personal experiences was to create Chance cards that contained either perks or setbacks. These perks and setbacks are all based on our personal experience like visa problems and etc. We also had a section of the game board designated for each player to create their own design that represents their connection to Parsons.
Game Assessment:
We learned through our assessment that the main issue was the clarity of the rules. One group said, “Confused as to what playing cards are. How many portfolio stones do we begin with? Do we keep play cards or discard them?” We then realized our shortcomings in the instructions. It was obvious that we had to review our instructions and elaborate on certain rules.
Overall, we were happy with our assessment and didn’t have to change anything else but a few rules/instructions.
Individual Post
As for my part in the creation of “Parsons: The Game,” I designed the entire layout of the board. I used our initial sketches and constructed 20″ by 20″ gameboard on Illustrator. I added images from each person and how it would represent his/her good and bad routes. After completing the designs, I printed the layout using the plotters and attached it onto the board using spray adhesive. Since I was the designated “leader,” I made sure everyone had something to do. I also brought in my own personal game piece. After the assessment of our game, I went back and made corrections/specified certain parts of our instructions.
