CAGD 170 - Unit 1

Group 10 - Holdup Solitaire

The Game

    Holdup Solitaire is a modified version of Solitaire that makes use of a hold slot similar in function to the hold slot in Tetris. Players can place any card of their choosing into the hold slot as long as it is empty; if there is a card already in the slot then it must be played before a new one can be placed there.

    The game is structured where a single-player competes against a game system. The target audience is casual players who want more freedom to strategize with their cards. There is no specific age range for our game as almost anyone can pick it up and play. The mechanic is simple enough that it is integrated easily into the already existing game and does not add too much complexity that makes it an overwhelming experience. Solitaire has elements of chance and uncertainty that can lead to the player feeling powerless, so by introducing a new way to arrange their cards it allows players new opportunities to get out of those dead end situations.

The Iterative Process

    We came up with the original idea pretty quickly on the first day. After every playtest, we would go back to the rule sheet and refine it based on the feedback recorded. Our initial rule sheet accounted for every little detail of Solitaire, but needed to be scaled back for readability and to not immediately intimidate the player. We cut out a lot of the unnecessary information which allowed it to come across much clearer.

    Overall, I think our team worked effectively to remedy any issues that were revealed during the process. The game could be pushed further in the future thanks to a simple yet solid foundation. Although, simplicity could also be seen as one of our drawbacks since the game was very much like Klondike Solitaire with a few minor alterations. If we were to continue with this project the boundaries of what we modify would have to be pushed to create a more distinct experience.

    Tasks were planned out and discussed well ahead of time which allowed us to consider the design further thanks to the extra time. For the most part, assignments were split up evenly and we each played an important part. There is one member who I’d like to commend for their enthusiasm when approaching certain tasks, but I would say that everyone did very well in regards to getting their portions done.

Takeaways

    The biggest feedback for actual gameplay is that players wanted to see more done with the mechanic or a further departure from Klondike Solitaire. If we were to further develop this game then we would use this feedback to go back to the foundation and see how we can add to it nondestructively. As for project management, assignments were completed well within their due dates and the core of the game is still solid, so overall project management went well.

    Learning from the few mistakes of this project, I will be more ambitious with how far we can take the game without incurring scope creep. As I’ve stated previously, our game has a solid foundation we just have to build off of it more. I will also work on my writing ability in regards to providing just enough information for players to understand but not enough to overwhelm.