How to Create a Real Life Game
A real life game is a type of game that uses the real world as a platform and employs transmedia storytelling to deliver a story that may be altered by players' ideas or actions.
Real life games can have many benefits for players, such as improving their literacy, creativity, empathy, social skills, and mental health. Playing real life games can also be fun, engaging, and immersive, as they allow players to explore new worlds, experiences, and perspectives.
real life game
If you want to create your own real life game, you will need to follow some steps and use some tools. Here is a possible outline of the process:
Step 1: Choose a genre and a theme
The first step is to decide what kind of real life game you want to make and what topic or message you want to convey. There are different genres of real life games that have different characteristics and appeal to different audiences.
Alternate reality games are games that blend fiction with reality by using multiple media and platforms to create an interactive narrative that involves puzzles, clues, secrets, codes, mysteries, conspiracies, etc.
Live action role-playing games are games where the participants physically portray their characters in a fictional setting while interacting with each other in character.
Simulation games are games that mimic or model aspects of real life such as occupations, activities, environments, systems, etc.
You should also choose a theme that interests you and your target audience. A theme can be anything that inspires you, such as a genre, a message, a question, a problem, a trend, a phenomenon, etc. For example, you could create a real life game about zombies, aliens, superheroes, spies, hackers, time travel, climate change, social justice, etc.
Step 2: Define your target audience and your goals
The next step is to think about who will play your game and what you want them to learn, feel, or do. You should have a clear idea of who your ideal players are, what their preferences and motivations are, what their challenges and needs are, and how you can reach them. You should also have a clear idea of what your game's purpose is, what its main message is, what its learning outcomes are, and how you can measure its impact.
Some questions you can ask yourself are:
Who are your players? What are their demographics (age, gender, location, etc.), psychographics (personality, values, interests, etc.), and behaviors (habits, hobbies, media consumption, etc.)?
Why do they play? What are their goals (fun, learning, socializing, escaping, etc.), motivations (intrinsic or extrinsic), and emotions (curiosity, excitement, fear, etc.)?
How do they play? What are their skills (cognitive, physical, social, etc.), styles (competitive or cooperative), and preferences (genres, themes, media, platforms, etc.)?
What do you want them to learn? What are the key concepts, facts, skills, or attitudes that you want them to acquire or improve through your game?
What do you want them to feel? What are the emotional responses that you want them to experience or express through your game?
What do you want them to do? What are the actions or behaviors that you want them to perform or change through your game?
You can use tools such as personas and empathy maps to create profiles of your target audience and understand their needs and wants. You can also use tools such as SMART goals and logic models to define and evaluate your game's objectives and outcomes.
Step 3: Create a story and a plot
The third step is to write a narrative that guides the players through the game and provides challenges, choices, and rewards. A story is the overall theme and message of your game, while a plot is the sequence of events and actions that unfold in your game.
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You should create a story that is relevant, interesting, and meaningful for your target audience and your goals. You should also create a plot that is coherent, dynamic, and interactive for your players. You should consider the following elements when creating your story and plot:
Setting: The time and place where your game takes place. It can be realistic or fictional, historical or futuristic, local or global, etc.
Characters: The people or entities that participate in your game. They can be protagonists or antagonists, allies or enemies, helpers or hindrances, etc.
Conflict: The problem or challenge that drives your game. It can be internal or external, personal or social, simple or complex, etc.
Resolution: The outcome or solution of your game. It can be positive or negative, expected or unexpected, final or open-ended, etc.
You can use tools such as storyboards and flowcharts to visualize and organize your story and plot. You can also use tools such as the hero's journey and the three-act structure to create a compelling and engaging narrative arc for your game.
Step 4: Design your characters and your setting
The fourth step is to create the personalities, roles, and appearances of the characters in your game and the locations where the game takes place. Your characters and setting should be consistent with your story and plot, and should also be appealing and immersive for your players.
You should design your characters with the following aspects in mind:
Name: The name of your character should reflect their personality, background, and role in the game.
Description: The description of your character should include their physical traits, emotional traits, motivations, goals, and relationships with other characters.
Voice: The voice of your character should match their personality, mood, and tone in the game. You can use dialogue, monologue, narration, or sound effects to convey their voice.
Interaction: The interaction of your character should include their actions, reactions, and choices in the game. You can use game mechanics, rules, and feedback to enable and constrain their interaction.
You should design your setting with the following aspects in mind:
Location: The location of your setting should be suitable for your story and plot, and should also be accessible and realistic for your players.
Description: The description of your setting should include its physical features, atmosphere, history, culture, and significance in the game.
Interaction: The interaction of your setting should include its effects, challenges, and opportunities in the game. You can use game mechanics, rules, and feedback to enable and constrain its interaction.
You can use tools such as sketches, maps, models, or photos to illustrate and detail your characters and setting. You can also use tools such as mood boards, color palettes, or soundtracks to create a consistent and appealing aesthetic for your game.
Step 5: Choose your media and platforms
The fifth step is to select the types of media (such as text, audio, video, images) and platforms (such as websites, apps, social media) that you will use to deliver your game content. Your media and platforms should be compatible with your story and plot, and should also be engaging and convenient for your players.
You should choose your media with the following aspects in mind:
Type: The type of media should match the content and format of your game. You can use text for narration, dialogue, or instructions; audio for voice, music, or sound effects; video for scenes, clips, or animations; images for illustrations, photos, or graphics; etc.
Quality: The quality of media should be high enough to convey your message clearly and effectively. You should consider the resolution, clarity, contrast, brightness, volume, etc. of your media.
Quantity: The quantity of media should be balanced enough to provide enough information and stimulation for your players without overwhelming or boring them. You should consider the length, size, frequency, etc. of your media.
You should choose your platforms with the following aspects in mind:
Type: The type of platform should match the functionality and accessibility of your game. You can use websites for hosting, displaying, or linking your game content; apps for downloading, installing, or running your game content; social media for sharing, commenting, or liking your game content; etc.
Quality: The quality of platform should be reliable enough to support your game smoothly and securely. You should consider the speed, performance, compatibility, security, etc. of your platform.
Quantity: The quantity of platform should be sufficient enough to reach and retain your target audience. You should consider the popularity, availability, diversity, etc. of your platform.
You can use tools such as multimedia editors, converters, or compressors to create and optimize your media. You can also use tools such as web builders, app developers, or social media managers to create and manage your platforms.
Step 6: Develop your game mechanics and rules
The sixth step is to define how the players interact with the game elements, how the game responds to their actions, and what are the boundaries and objectives of the game. Your game mechanics and rules should be consistent with your story and plot, and should also be challenging and rewarding for your players.
You should develop your game mechanics with the following aspects in mind:
Input: The input is how the players provide information or commands to the game. You can use keyboard, mouse, touch screen, voice, gesture, etc. as input methods.
Output: The output is how the game provides information or feedback to the players. You can use text, audio, video, images, etc. as output methods.
Process: The process is how the game processes the input and output data. You can use algorithms, formulas, functions, etc. as process methods.
You should develop your game rules with the following aspects in mind:
Constraints: The constraints are the limitations or restrictions that apply to the game elements or actions. You can use time, space, resources, etc. as constraints.
Choices: The choices are the options or alternatives that are available to the players or the game elements. You can use branching, branching with consequences, multiple endings, etc. as choices.
Consequences: The consequences are the results or effects that follow from the choices or actions. You can use rewards, penalties, feedback, etc. as consequences.
You can use tools such as game engines, frameworks, or libraries to create and implement your game mechanics and rules. You can also use tools such as game design documents, diagrams, or charts to document and communicate your game mechanics and rules.
Step 7: Test and refine your game
The seventh step is to playtest your game with a small group of people and get feedback on how to improve it. You should test your game at different stages of development, such as prototype, alpha, beta, and final. You should also test your game with different types of players, such as experts, novices, fans, critics, etc.
You should test your game with the following aspects in mind:
Functionality: The functionality is how well your game works technically and logically. You should check for errors, bugs, glitches, crashes, etc. that may affect your game performance or quality.
Usability: The usability is how easy and intuitive your game is to use and understand. You should check for clarity, consistency, simplicity, feedback, etc. that may affect your game interface or interaction.
Engagement: The engagement is how interesting and enjoyable your game is to play and experience. You should check for challenge, choice, reward, immersion, etc. that may affect your game content or narrative.
Impact: The impact is how effective and meaningful your game is to achieve your goals and outcomes. You should check for learning, emotion, action, change, etc. that may affect your game purpose or message.
You can use tools such as surveys, interviews, observations, or analytics to collect and analyze data from your game testing. You can also use tools such as feedback forms, ratings, reviews, or comments to gather and evaluate opinions from your game testers.
Step 8: Launch and promote your game
The final step is to release your game to the public and use marketing strategies to attract and retain players. You should launch your game when it is ready and polished, and when it has a potential market and demand. You should also promote your game before, during, and after its launch, and use various channels and methods to reach and engage your target audience.
You should launch your game with the following aspects in mind:
Timing: The timing is when you release your game to the public. You should consider the season, the day, the hour, etc. that may affect your game availability or visibility.
Platform: The platform is where you distribute your game to the public. You should consider the type, the quality, the quantity, etc. of the platform that may affect your game accessibility or compatibility.
Pricing: The pricing is how much you charge for your game to the public. You should consider the value, the cost, the demand, etc. of your game that may affect your game affordability or profitability.
You should promote your game with the following aspects in mind:
Targeting: The targeting is who you market your game to. You should consider the demographics, psychographics, behaviors, etc. of your target audience that may affect their interest or preference for your game.
Positioning: The positioning is how you differentiate your game from others. You should consider the features, benefits, values, etc. of your game that may affect its uniqueness or appeal.
Messaging: The messaging is what you communicate about your game to others. You should consider the content, format, tone, etc. of your message that may affect its clarity or effectiveness.
Channeling: The channeling is where you deliver your message to others. You should consider the type, the quality, the quantity, etc. of the channel that may affect its reach or engagement.
You can use tools such as launch calendars, press releases, or newsletters to announce and celebrate your game launch. You can also use tools such as social media, blogs, podcasts, or videos to create and share your game promotion.
Conclusion
Creating a real life game can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for both you and your players. By following the steps and using the tools mentioned in this article, you can create a real life game that is fun, engaging, and impactful. You can also use your creativity, imagination, and passion to make your game unique and memorable.
Are you ready to create your own real life game? What genre, theme, and message would you choose? What media, platforms, and mechanics would you use? What challenges and opportunities would you face? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below!
FAQs
What is a real life game?
A real life game is a type of game that uses the real world as a platform and employs transmedia storytelling to deliver a story that may be altered by players' ideas or actions.
What are some examples of real life games?
Some examples of real life games are alternate reality games (ARGs), live action role-playing games (LARPs), and simulation games.
What are some benefits of playing real life games?
Some benefits of playing real life games are improving literacy, creativity, empathy, social skills, and mental health; exploring new worlds, experiences, and perspectives; and having fun, engagement, and immersion.
What are some steps to create a real life game?
Some steps to create a real life game are choosing a genre and a theme; defining your target audience and your goals; creating a story and a plot; designing your characters and your setting; choosing your media and platforms; developing your game mechanics and rules; testing and refining your game; and launching and promoting your game.
What are some tools to create a real life game?
Some tools to create a real life game are multimedia editors, converters, compressors; web builders, app developers, social media managers; game engines, frameworks, libraries; game design documents, diagrams, charts; surveys, interviews, observations, analytics; feedback forms, ratings, reviews, comments; launch calendars, press releases, newsletters; social media, blogs, podcasts, videos; etc. 44f88ac181
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