Game Studies/ Project 1: Tabletop Game Proposal
Game Studies, Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media
Project 1: Tabletop Game Proposal
Table of Contents
Fig.1 Module Information Booklet (MIB)
Lectures
Week 1/
We started the semester by going through the module information booklet, which outlined everything we’ll be doing for this module. After that, we formed our groups and began brainstorming ideas for our game. Our theme for this project is to create a tabletop game based on glucose processes—specifically Glycolysis, Glycogenesis, and the Pentose Phosphate Pathway (PPP).
One of our first concepts was to design a game inspired by Among Us. The idea involved a team of glucose molecules (playing the role of the good crewmates) versus a mutated sugar (acting as the imposter). We wanted to combine fun gameplay with an educational twist, turning it into a roleplaying game about sugar and the body.
Week 2/
After going through all of our initial ideas, we decided to shift our direction to a card-based game, drawing inspiration from Exploding Kittens. We had a group discussion to plan out the game mechanics, where everyone contributed their thoughts and suggestions. After refining the concept together, we agreed to move forward with this new card game approach.
Week 3/
There was no class this week, so our group took the chance to test our card game idea from Week 2. Using our initial concept, we did a rough playtest to see how the mechanics worked in practice. As expected, we encountered several issues—mainly imbalance in card types and difficulty tracking points.
We made some temporary changes to improve gameplay, like giving players the full deck in hand, introducing point cards instead of using pen and paper, and adjusting how cards are drawn each round. These revisions helped us identify what worked and what needed more tweaking.
Week 4/
This week, we presented our first draft playtest to the lecturers and received constructive feedback. To improve the game, we held a group discussion and made these changes on new win condition, ATP clarification, and some updates on action cards.
Week 5/
This week, each group presented their game proposal to the class. Our presentation included game mechanics, game components, and initial game ideas that we didn’t choose.
Project 1: Tabletop Game Proposal
Instruction:
This group project involves creating engaging and educational rules for a tabletop game designed to teach young adults about glucose metabolism, specifically the pathways of glycolysis, glycogenesis, and the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). The goal is to make learning these scientific concepts enjoyable by allowing players to actively explore how glucose is converted into energy within the body. The game should use interactive and playful mechanics to help players grasp the key ideas behind glucose processing in a fun and memorable way.
Group Members:
- Altaifi Leen Maan A (0367698)
- Gabriela Jeslyn Chung (0376509)
- Natalie Chu Jing Xuan (0354589)
- Chan Xiang Lam (0358400)
- Lee Zhi Wei (0356184)
- Lee Eugine (0362940)
Initial Ideas:
1. Among Us/Werewolf-style social deduction with task-based learning game
Just like the Among Us game, there will be crew members (glucose crew) and the imposters (mutated sugars/virus) By embedding the biology directly into the tasks, roles, and decisions, it makes it a challenging and a fun replayable game.
Why we didn’t choose this?
While the initial idea sounded fun, it lacked the proper integration of education and the biological mechanics to the game.
2. Card Game inspired by Saudi Deal/Monopoly Deal
2–4 players race to complete the glycolysis pathway and generate energy. Each player starts with 4 cards and lays down reaction step cards to build the glycolysis process or using action cards to sabotage, steal, or protect. The first to successfully assemble all steps of glycolysis in the correct order wins the game.
Why we didn’t choose this?
Upon more brainstorming on this idea, we eventually got stuck in integrating the 3 ways of breaking down glucose equally, since this idea focuses more on completing only on of the pathways.
Final Game Idea: Sugar Heist
Game Intro:
Sugar Heist is a fast-paced, social card game where you steal cards, make matches and play sneaky moves. It’s a game of 4 players, with 11 cards in each player’s hand.
Each round, you draw a card from the player to your left. If you found a Body State and Pathway match, you lay it on the table and obtain the respective ATP points. You can also play action cards that can benefit you or sabotage your friends.
The game ends once the player with 7 ATP points collected and shouts ‘Glucose!’ wins!
Game Objective:
To win the game, the first player to get 7 ATP Points and shouts ‘Glucose!” wins!
Game Components:
Deck contains 3 types of cards:
- Body State Cards (EXERCISE, SLEEPING, REPAIR)
- Pathway Cards (Glycolysis, Glycogenesis, PPP)
- Action Cards (interrupt/sabotage cards)
3 types of ATP Points: Power, Stored, Immunity
Setup:
- Shuffle the full deck.
- Deal all cards evenly to players.
- Each player starts with their entire hand visible only to them.
Click HERE for more info about our Tabletop Game Proposal:
Fig.2 Project 1 Proposal
Feedbacks
Week 4: This week, we presented our first draft play test to the lecturers and received constructive feedback. The main critiques were:
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The game objective wasn’t clear. The ending the game by finishing cards didn't make sense since players stop earning ATP.
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Stored ATP mechanics were confusing, especially during attacks.
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Some Body State–Pathway matches were inaccurate, like "Sick in bed → PPP."
Reflection
Working on this tabletop game project has been an exciting and insightful experience. It challenged us to combine creativity with scientific knowledge to design a game that is both educational and fun. Initially, we struggled with balancing accurate glucose pathway concepts and engaging gameplay, but through continuous play testing and feedback, we learned how important it is to simplify complex ideas without losing their essence.
The iterative process of refining the rules, addressing issues like point tracking and card balance, and responding to critiques helped us develop a clearer vision of our game’s purpose. I particularly enjoyed how the project encouraged teamwork, as each member brought unique ideas and perspectives that enriched the game design.
This project also deepened my appreciation for educational games as a powerful tool to make learning interactive and enjoyable. I now see how game mechanics can reinforce understanding in ways traditional methods may not. Overall, this experience has enhanced my problem-solving skills, creativity, and understanding of glucose metabolism—making it a valuable part of my learning journey.
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