ISLT 7384: Writing Instructions for an Analog Game

This reflection aligns with the Referee attribute of the WSSG (Why So Serious Games) Academy.

As mentioned in Goals, Rules, and Mechanics of an Analog Game, in Level 3 of ISLT 7384 we’re designing an analog tabletop game prototype using game mechanics of our Mentor games. In the Writing Recipes for Instructions activity, we sought improve our writing so we can provide clear and useful instructions for our prototype.

Analyzing Game Instructions

In the Experiencing Game Instructions section, we analyzed two games (Yahtzee! and Lifeboat) to determine which game provided better instructions. Yahtzee is more complicated than what I remember; however, it comes down to whoever has the highest score (or trying to beat your previous high score if playing alone). With Lifeboat, I found the instructions to be less clear—but this might partially be because I’m not familiar with the game. The Lifeboat instructions included a lot of narrative elements, yet the segmenting didn’t feel linear. In the end, Yahtzee! felt more straightforward despite the number of rules.

Writing Instructions for Games

My background includes design and writing, including technical writing. This helped me as I referred to the provided guidelines. Technical writing exercises often include writing recipes (perhaps due to the necessity to be clear, concise, and consistent throughout—so the cook or baker doesn’t ruin the meal!). Writing game instructions is a similar endeavor. 

As I practiced writing instructions for Tic-Tac-Toe, I considered the amount of detail necessary for an audience. For example, the game starts on a grid of nine squares. A grid can be described as a number or hash; however, a child might not be familiar with the symbol—and when I think of the game I think of children! Describing how to create this grid can easily become bogged down with detail, so I balanced the text with images to provide multiple ways to review the information. I received good feedback about my instructions; however, watching others play based on my instructions showed me where I might improve them.

Final Thoughts

After testing my instructions, I searched the internet for how others tackled writing instructions for Tic-Tac-Toe. Some of these instructions were much more elaborate than those I wrote. Interestingly, I thought the youngest player went first; however, this must have been a “house rule” as it looks like the player with the X symbol should go first (wikiHow, 2023). This reminded me of how “when game instructions are written poorly, players have been known to rewrite the instructions and share them with the gaming community” (Oprean n.d.). Overall, I found this activity to be an asset as I start to write my tabletop game prototype instructions. 

References

Oprean, D. (n.d.). Designing games for learning [Online course]. University of Missouri.

wikiHow. (2023, January 21). How to play Tic Tac Toe.