TEAM REFLECTION
Our journey in game studies has been an enriching experience, marked by collaboration, exploration, and collective growth. As a team, we delved into the intricacies of game design, analyzing gameplay mechanics, narratives, and player experiences. Through shared insights, rigorous playtesting, and creative brainstorming, we pushed the boundaries of our understanding, crafting games that are both engaging and meaningful
Wee Jun Jie
My interest in gaming, particularly in mechanics and player dynamics, is what drives me in this game studies course. I have worked on games like Monopoly Deal, CS2, and Exploding Kittens, analyzing their core mechanics, user interactions, and how they balance fun with strategy. In this project, I am focusing on understanding and applying theoretical concepts to design a tabletop game that combines elements of these games. I am excited by the idea of mixing card mechanics, team-based strategies, and tactical gameplay, while keeping the game engaging and fair for all players. Through the process, I’ve realized how much I enjoy breaking down gameplay elements, exploring how narrative design and mechanics interact, and experimenting with ways to enhance the player’s experience. This course has allowed me to explore how players make choices and how game mechanics can shape the overall narrative flow. I’ve also developed a keen eye for analyzing balance and fairness within the gameplay, which is essential to keeping players engaged. Game design, much like app design, is both strategic and creative. It requires an understanding of player motivations, engagement loops, and how gameplay decisions impact the overall experience. What I’ve learned through analyzing existing games is that a well-designed game adapts to player behaviors while maintaining clear rules and engaging mechanics. This project has made me realize that game design is less about following a rigid set of rules and more about interpreting them in a way that maximizes enjoyment and strategic depth. The second part of the course, which involves creating our group game prototype, has been particularly rewarding. It allows me to apply everything I’ve learned about game mechanics, player psychology, and balancing tactics. For example, integrating tactics from CS into a card game setting challenges me to think about how these elements can coexist in a tabletop format, making the experience both strategic and fun. Through this project, I’ve found that the key to improving gameplay design lies in observing how players interact with each other and with the game itself. Testing different mechanics, identifying which aspects engage players, and seeing how they approach challenges is essential. This practical, hands-on approach has shown me that great game design is iterative; it evolves based on player feedback and testing. In summary, my experience in this course has sharpened my ability to apply game design principles flexibly, adapting core mechanics and narrative elements to suit player preferences while maintaining the game's balance and depth.
Shawn Wong Kai Hen
My journey through game studies has been a transformative experience, filled with learning and creative exploration. Diving into the intricacies of game design, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of gameplay mechanics and narrative structures, which has enhanced my ability to create engaging and thoughtful games. Collaborating with my peers has been particularly rewarding, as it allowed me to share knowledge and learn from their perspectives. This process has not only improved my technical skills but also strengthened my collaborative spirit, leaving me more confident and inspired to continue pushing the boundaries of game design.
Yang Han Wen
In the process of developing the game content, the team members had different understandings, views, and positioning of the game, so we were not sure about the detailed process at the beginning. However, in the end, with the consent of the team leader and the majority, we decided to design a left-side card game based on the FPS game "Counter-Strike". At the beginning of the project, I was responsible for "prototype printing and cutting". Of course, I also helped to supplement the content that the team leader needed to add on the PPT and infographic. In general, I was doing the logistics work. I even helped with some things that I was not good at. I am not the one who contributes the most in the whole team. However, through the group cooperation and learning in this module, I found that unity is very important for a group, no matter whether it is a difficult or simple project. No matter how difficult the project is, as long as the team members are willing to contribute, it will definitely be completed. Vice versa, a simple project will also be difficult to complete well if the team members are not united.
Jin Rong
I am very passionate about games, which is why I found the Game Studies course particularly fascinating. Through the practice of analyzing games, I learned about their structure, mechanics, and player experience. I also gained a deeper understanding of key aspects such as the core principles of game design, player psychology and behavior, as well as narrative and interactivity. By analyzing different types of games, I came to appreciate the close connection between games and culture. In the final project, I designed cards, which required me to gather a large amount of information and think deeply about how to create cards that were interesting, visually appealing, and aligned with our theme. This process gave me a deeper appreciation for the complexity and creativity involved in game design. The group project was perhaps the biggest challenge for me, and while the process was tough, we were fortunate to have a responsible and highly capable leader who guided us to complete all the tasks. I am truly grateful for his support.
Tee Jia Ern
I really enjoyed the process of developing a card game. Playing games is fun and creating a card game allows for the mind to explore inspiration and ideas. I thank my group to put in the work and teamwork throughout the process of developing a card game. I was tasked with the digital illustrations. We decided to make a game as a spin off from CSGO inspired by the spin off card game Monopoly Deal from Monopoly board game. Initially we had a sniper in the deck, but the ability to disable a player was too overpowered. We had fun with the play testing and we added a balance patch of a shop and economy feature. Overall a fun and collaborative experience.