Beastamorphosis

Due to the extensive initial development period of the game, background and thematic research was a relatively light lift. But, examining the state of play for board games about evolution, it was clear that many popular, scientifically-researched games already existed. The focus then was instead to find ways to understand why previous versions of the game had not gained traction, in order to differentiate the product and create a novel, accessible experience.

Focus group discussions centered on playtesting helped to recalibrate the game to reduce complexity. This was vital, as new mechanics needed to be introduced to help players feel grounded in the experience of their creatures in the world—two aspects that had not played well together in the past.

With the mechanics appropriately calibrated, the design challenge was to create a memorable game using a visual dialog that reinforced the action of play. To that end, the design approach focused on a lighthearted, line-drawn style that elicited storytelling from the players while also creating an aesthetic world for them to inhabit.

Apart from encouraging iterations in design and illustration, the line drawings’ simple styling makes the cards easy to mix and match, allows players to imbue a personal dimension into their creatures, and, very simply, creates its own fun. From the view of facilitating gameplay, a simple style afforded many opportunities to create a visual syntax that complemented rules and other information necessary to play without crowding the imagery unnecessarily.

Testing took place in two phases in tandem with iterative development of the game. In the first phase, a home-fabricated prototype was used to conduct guided tests of the product with sets of local, known participants. These sessions involved an open-form question-and-answer post mortem examination of the game to gauge player’s reactions and collect gameplay insights.

The second phase of testing is being conducted via unmonitored game sessions. Using a print-on-demand site to publish a playtester’s copy of the game, it is now commercially available to be shipped directly to the testing audience. Feedback is collected via an online survey linked in the rulebook. Incentives include a free copy of the final version of the game, its first expansion, and mention in the credits.

Watching people play the game, it was exciting to see—even without the core beast illustrations in place—people could understand the game fairly quickly, and enjoyed it both as a process and an experience. I carried those observations forward from the first phase of testing to the next by building the survey around them: Was the game easy to understand? Was the game easy to play? Was the game fun? 

I also found it was important to treat the testing audience as the client. By giving their feedback a space for consideration alongside the project’s business needs, I was able to create a positive feedback loop throughout development that improved the game’s comprehensibility, ease of play, and (most importantly) fun.