Designing a Board Game

Role: Designer | Timeline: 4 Months | Tools Used: Autodesk Maya, Adobe Photoshop, Usability Testing

Board games can feel predictable, with either too much luck or too much skill dominating the experience. My goal was to create a fast-paced, adventurous game that kept all four players engaged through twists, challenges, and strategic decisions.

Problem Statement

Existing games often lack replayability or fail to cater to diverse player preferences. The challenge was to design something truly unique—balancing luck and skill while keeping gameplay exciting.

Designing mechanics that were easy to learn but hard to master.

Ensuring fairness and balance across all players.

Step 1: Concept and First Prototype

I sketched out initial mechanics and created a prototype focusing on:

A dynamic map with evolving challenges.
Multiple paths to victory, ensuring varied strategies.

Step 2: Usability Testing

Playtests with 10 groups of players revealed:

Tweaks were needed to ensure fairness in early rounds.
Players enjoyed twists but wanted clearer rules.

Step 3: Iteration and Refinement

Through multiple iterations, I:

Balanced luck-driven events with skill-based challenges.
Improved visual design using Photoshop and Autodesk Maya.

Step 4: Final Design and Production

I produced high-quality game components, including 3D-printed pieces and professionally printed boards. The final design delivered a polished experience that players loved.

Outcome

The game consistently engaged players across skill levels, offering endless replayability and a unique blend of strategy and luck.

Deep Dive into the Project

Take a closer look at the project with this in-depth PowerPoint presentation, covering detailed design decisions, user feedback insights, and refined solutions beyond the surface overview.

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