Date of Award
10-7-2014
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Rhetoric and Writing
First Advisor
Joseph Williams
Abstract
This thesis details the design and production of Lineage: 1434, a board game based on building a family dynasty similar to the Medici family of 15th century Italy. From the initial idea of creating a massively multiplayer online (MMO) game to reimaging the game as a board game, this project draws on multiple influences like Carcassonne (Wrede, 2000), Settlers of Catan (Teuber, 1995), Agricola (Rosenberg, 2008), and Edgebee Game's Swords & Potions (2011) and Critter Forge (2010). Game design decisions were driven in part by the flaws in existing games, including the problems of resource scarcity in pay-to-play MMO games, the inverted labor/income model of virtual economies, and the need for variability for original, individualized game experiences. Game prototype design is described in detail. The description of the game development process references Jesse Schell's (2008) six game mechanics: space, objects, actions, rules, skills, and chance.
Recommended Citation
Sims, Bradley Isaac, "Game Design and the Writing Process: Designing the Board Game Lineage: 1434" (2014). Theses and Dissertations. 510.
https://research.ualr.edu/etd/510
