So let me back up here to break down the components of my game.
The Objective:
To eat your apples before the other worms eat theirs.
How the Game Works:
1) To begin, pick a worm avatar and a type of apple.
2) The youngest player draws a Syntax card and reads the structure of the round aloud before play begins.
3) Players are awarded one point per correct answer. If their answer complies with the round's Modifier card, the player will also receive the extra points displayed on that card.
4) When the round ends, the used cards go to the discard pile, and play continues clockwise with the next player drawing a Syntax card.
5) For every 5 points the player earns, their worm is able to digest 1 of their 5 apples. After all 5 apples are devoured, the game ends, with the fullest worm the victor.
2) The youngest player draws a Syntax card and reads the structure of the round aloud before play begins.
3) Players are awarded one point per correct answer. If their answer complies with the round's Modifier card, the player will also receive the extra points displayed on that card.
4) When the round ends, the used cards go to the discard pile, and play continues clockwise with the next player drawing a Syntax card.
5) For every 5 points the player earns, their worm is able to digest 1 of their 5 apples. After all 5 apples are devoured, the game ends, with the fullest worm the victor.
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| The components of Word Worm. |
*Worm cards - 4 unique worm personas (Avatars)
*Score cards - 4 types of apples, ex: red, green, golden delicious, fuji; etc. The score cards will consist of 5 apple cores of the same type (taped to a score card), and 5 whole, uneaten, delicious looking apples cut-outs of the same size.
*Apple cards - Categorizes! These are the meat of the game. The apple cards have a unique category written on the back.
*Letter cards - Indicates what letter the Apple responses must start with to be valid.
*Modifier cards - Typically optional, modifiers give the player additional perimeters for their answers that earn them extra points if followed.
*Syntax cards - Explains the round rules, including how many Apple, Modifier, and Letter cards are to be used. These cards keep the game interesting by constantly changing up the rules.
*One-Minute Timer - Some rounds end when the timer runs out (depends on the Syntax card instructions).
*Paper and Pencils - Writing utensils are required for some rounds as indicated by the Syntax card.
*Score cards - 4 types of apples, ex: red, green, golden delicious, fuji; etc. The score cards will consist of 5 apple cores of the same type (taped to a score card), and 5 whole, uneaten, delicious looking apples cut-outs of the same size.
*Apple cards - Categorizes! These are the meat of the game. The apple cards have a unique category written on the back.
*Letter cards - Indicates what letter the Apple responses must start with to be valid.
*Modifier cards - Typically optional, modifiers give the player additional perimeters for their answers that earn them extra points if followed.
*Syntax cards - Explains the round rules, including how many Apple, Modifier, and Letter cards are to be used. These cards keep the game interesting by constantly changing up the rules.
*One-Minute Timer - Some rounds end when the timer runs out (depends on the Syntax card instructions).
*Paper and Pencils - Writing utensils are required for some rounds as indicated by the Syntax card.
Super simple! Curious as to how Word Worm evolved into the number one game in America? (Just pretend for my sake D: ) Well check out my play log to get an idea of what rules and mechanics have been altered.
Play Log:
First Play Session - Creating the game with Allie
Original Rules:
0.0 - Roll to see who flips over the first token
1.0 - Player flips over token and play begins
2.0 - Players race to shout out a word that starts with the letter at the top of the token, has as many letters as the number in the center of the token and as many syllables as there are dots on the bottom of the token.
3.0 - The player that comes up with a correct word first, wins that token and adds it to their stash.
4.0 - If there are still tokens to be flipped over, the play continues clockwise starting with rule one.
5.0 - When all the tokens are gone, the player with the most wins.
1.0 - Player flips over token and play begins
2.0 - Players race to shout out a word that starts with the letter at the top of the token, has as many letters as the number in the center of the token and as many syllables as there are dots on the bottom of the token.
3.0 - The player that comes up with a correct word first, wins that token and adds it to their stash.
4.0 - If there are still tokens to be flipped over, the play continues clockwise starting with rule one.
5.0 - When all the tokens are gone, the player with the most wins.
(Play)
First Iteration:
Modify
2.1 - The player can choose to supply an answer with either the correct amount of syllables or number of letters.
2.1 - The player can choose to supply an answer with either the correct amount of syllables or number of letters.
(Play Continues)
Second Iteration:
Add
3.1 - Players that shout out incorrect answers forfeit one of their tokens to their opponent.
3.2 - The Settlers of Catan Robber is dubbed the Wizard, a piece that can be played to win steal tokens
3.3 - When a red 8 or 6 appears, player who wins that token receives the Wizard.
3.1 - Players that shout out incorrect answers forfeit one of their tokens to their opponent.
3.2 - The Settlers of Catan Robber is dubbed the Wizard, a piece that can be played to win steal tokens
3.3 - When a red 8 or 6 appears, player who wins that token receives the Wizard.
(Play Continues)
Third Iteration:
Modify
3.21 - The Wizard cannot steal a token, but instead protects your tokens from being stolen.
Add
3.4 - The Wizard can be stolen during any given red token round.
3.21 - The Wizard cannot steal a token, but instead protects your tokens from being stolen.
Add
3.4 - The Wizard can be stolen during any given red token round.
(Play Continues, Lab Ends)
What Needs Improvement?
Too much repetition, add a mechanic that changes it up.
Rigid play, find a why to increase combinations of characters, letters, and syllables.
Give players more time to think up answers.
Second Play Session - At home with my boyfriend and dad
To address the areas that needed improvement, tokens were swapped out for cards. The Wizard was removed from the game entirely, and focus shifted toward Worm theme instead.
Result: Different, yet similar rules and objective.
New Refined Rules:
0.0 - Pick a worm avatar and an apple themed score card, youngest play starts first.
1.0 - Draw a Syntax card to determine rules of the round, as well as how many of each card type needs to be in play.
2.0 - Follow the direction accordingly until round ends as indicated on the Syntax card.
3.0 - Talley your points when the round is over, removing an apple piece from your score card for every 8 points you earn.
4.0 - If no worm has finished eating all of his apples, the play continues clockwise starting with rule one.
5.0 - When someone has consumed all 5 of their apples, that player has won and the game is over.
1.0 - Draw a Syntax card to determine rules of the round, as well as how many of each card type needs to be in play.
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| The four worm avatars of Word Worm. |
3.0 - Talley your points when the round is over, removing an apple piece from your score card for every 8 points you earn.
4.0 - If no worm has finished eating all of his apples, the play continues clockwise starting with rule one.
5.0 - When someone has consumed all 5 of their apples, that player has won and the game is over.
(Play)
First Iteration:
Modify
3.1 - Players can remove an apple after 5 points are earned, down from 8.
Remove
In General - Several Modifier cards are removed because they do not work well with certain Syntax scenarios.
3.1 - Players can remove an apple after 5 points are earned, down from 8.
Remove
In General - Several Modifier cards are removed because they do not work well with certain Syntax scenarios.
(Play Continues)
Second Iteration:
Add
In General - Variable Syntax cards added to include verbal rounds to accompany written.
In General - Different types of Modifier cards were added to award players for achievements (ie: Having a unique answer that is not shared by opponents, having the longest word, incorporating consecutive consonants or vowels
In General - Variable Syntax cards added to include verbal rounds to accompany written.
In General - Different types of Modifier cards were added to award players for achievements (ie: Having a unique answer that is not shared by opponents, having the longest word, incorporating consecutive consonants or vowels
(Play Continues)
What Needs Improvement?
Technical categories are challenging for some players; incorporating more playful ones could make it more fun.
Pulling the theme together by possibly tying in avatars with fun avatar specific syntax cards.
Monday's Paper Prototype Official Play Session - With Morgan and Cat
Final Rules:
0.0 - Pick a worm avatar and an apple themed score card, youngest play starts first.
1.0 - Draw a Syntax card to determine rules of the round, as well as how many of each card type needs to be in play; read out loud before play begins.
2.0 - Follow the direction accordingly and play until round ends as indicated on the Syntax card.
3.0 - Talley your points when the round is over, removing an apple piece from your score card for every 5 points you earn.
4.0 - If no worm has finished eating all of his apples, the play continues clockwise starting with rule 1.0.
5.0 - When someone has consumed all 5 of their apples, that player has won and the game is over.
1.0 - Draw a Syntax card to determine rules of the round, as well as how many of each card type needs to be in play; read out loud before play begins.
2.0 - Follow the direction accordingly and play until round ends as indicated on the Syntax card.
3.0 - Talley your points when the round is over, removing an apple piece from your score card for every 5 points you earn.
4.0 - If no worm has finished eating all of his apples, the play continues clockwise starting with rule 1.0.
5.0 - When someone has consumed all 5 of their apples, that player has won and the game is over.
(10min of Play)
Analysis:
It really helped to play my game with Morgan and Cat; two people who had never played my first version. They found the Syntax cards to be interesting and enjoyed the constantly changing style of play. I discovered that we all had varying degrees of word proficiency, and that this definitely affected play. I will swap my 1 minute timer out for a 3 minute one, and add easier categories to ensure all players are accommodated. Some of the cards weren't as cohesive as I would have liked, so I will remove the modifiers that can't be applied to ALL Syntax cards, and replace them with more ambiguous ones.
Conclusion:
Overall, I am please with how my game turned out; it was fun, interesting, engaging, and challenging. I will make the changes necessary to improve it further, and apply the method of iteration to all of my future game design endeavors.
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