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Summary of Game
Summary of Game
Miner Madness is a collaborative, group player board game aimed at teaching critical and logical thinking. A team of miners has to navigate obstacles and avoid danger to uncover hidden treasure deep in the earth.
The team must work together to decide which direction to take, collecting gems, and finding other hidden treasures to make it easier to get to the finish and defeat the cave troll.
Keys to successful Gameplay include communication with other team members to combine moves and create functions in order to progress faster!
Location and Population
Location and Population
KCAD Digital Media Faculty Susan Bonner and Open System Technologies Developer Nathan Loding met with groups of 5th Graders at Endeavour Elementary School, a Kentwood Public School. The group was contained a very diverse range of ethnicities.
The event hosted 9 other break out events within the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). There was a welcome address with all students - about 120.
We had 25 minutes with 3 Groups of 10 5th graders at STEM event in a gym on 2 cafeteria tables with the benches attached. Well lit. Open space.
The Process
The Process
We introduced ourselves and the game and asked for help in making our game.
Students at first were quiet and seemed stunned.
After telling them the (summarized) story and emphasizing the grossness and stinkyness of the Troll breath they were ready to start to play and immediately starting asking questions.
We said we would tell them the game play as we started.
Observations
Observations
Collect the crystal is what they said, not gem- that seemed more natural to them.
About 4 out of 10 students knew about functions ahead of our conversation,
they had done code.org or scratch or another tool.
2 out of the 3 groups started singing "to the left to the left to the left" song that is often used at Elementary school dances. they laughed and continued.
Out of 10 students there would be 1 self selected leader.
That person was always closest to the board. Others around the board were the most engaged.
Those on the fringes - who could not see were less engaged or were looking around or down.
Only one set of 2 students were talking to themselves very briefly.
They were excited that they could play a game, but nervous, felt like they had to win perhaps used to competition, working together as a team was a new thing generally.
New rules proposed by students playing to make the game work better or make more sense:
New rules proposed by students playing to make the game work better or make more sense:
Give troll the gems if you don't have any on event card. 2 gems birthday card
If u give the troll 2 does that means that we have to give him less at the end.
We had a discussion as to if this was positive or negative.
Responses:
Responses:
What they liked:
What they liked:
I liked the game because:
"I could play it with my little sister who is 5 years old. She would understand it and it would be fun."
It's fun - then they would give all kinds of ideas.
They did not like the idea of singing - but then they would sing and it would be funny
One kid didn't like singing others did.
They liked the idea of being able to Layout board differently - they often said it was too easy after completing it.
Dancing and laughing during game play.
What they didn't like:
What they didn't like:
There were students who didn't like it - they were on the outside of the group. Some couldn't see very well because there was 10 on a table and a little board game in the middle.
One student said "I Hated it." Why? No response - was it just not your thing? Yes.
Do you play board games? No.
Some were confused on the turn vs go cards
It was too easy
Many wanted it to be a competitive game.
What they would change:
What they would change:
Maybe a tiny troll that plays against you.
There should be drool coming out of the troll's mouth
Several students wanted separate people and not to have the characters play as one - we discussed how not all games are competitive.
Put more gems and more obstructions
Make it look like a cave.
Trolls:
Trolls:
Make another troll - maybe he moves - maybe he plays against you. Maybe every time you move he moves forward so that it is another thing for you to consider as you play.
Another student said - "Put an angry troll that chases them around."
One other troll chases
Using the same event cards.
Obstacles:
Obstacles:
Add a bear trap or spikes or tracks - if you have tracks the slime can help you to move down them - it becomes a speed add on. some tracks could break in the event cards.
You may have to have other missions like to free the people from the bear trap.
Add a portal that takes you to a gem
Make it more challenging by drawing an event card that gives you 4 cards instead of 5 for that round.
Contacts from the event:
Contacts from the event:
*Nancy McKenzie*
*S.T.E.M. Coordinator/KPS*
*P.E.A.K.S. Support*
Discovery Elementary School Ph 871-1080 Ext: 19132
Crestwood Middle School Ph: 455-1200 Ext: 32218
Cell: 616-443-2320
11/15: What we will change based on User Testing:
11/15: What we will change based on User Testing:
Bigger board - size determination = Shandon
Board Design - Andy - be cave like
Counter - add more competition to it. -Shawna
Miner novice, miner expert,
Certificate to print from website
Stickers to win
Obstacles :
Obstacles :
Not doing: train tracks straight and curve
Train track that is broken
Stalagmites - Dani
Slime pit monster in slime pit - Dani
Boulders - Dani
Backs of Ogre - Logan and Dani
Backs of Penelope - Logan and Dani
Backs of Owen - Logan and Dani
Box Art - Logan
Branding - Shandon
Cards - put tools on the back where they say if then move - Andy
Card critters design like the character painting - Shawna
card to distinguish top from bottom more - Shawna
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