To random readers of this blog, this is a game design exercise that we’re currently trying.
Today Trevor Haldenby stopped by to talk all about the world of foresight analysis and a little bit about his experience at Earth Rangers. We all love thinking so let’s do that! Using the STEEP-V method to think about the world, you’ll have to think about a game for that world.
The world:
Social
- Less demand for suburban living because of increased fuel prices.
- People are clamouring for a Mars colony.
Technological
- 3D printing isn’t rare (think about how PCs grew in the 80s).
- Internet of things exists.
Economic
- Yuan is the new reserve currency. (What is a reserve currency you ask?)
- Neural implants are only available for the rich
Environmental
- Water shortages are globally common.
- Climate has become unpredictable compared to today.
Political
- Governments rely on research (technological and biological) from for-profit entities (good reason for this, bad reason for this).
- There is a lack of legislation on neural-implants. (Can anybody suggest a link for this?)
Values
- Sustainable energy production is in high demand (has caused problems in the rare-metal supply).
- Olympics allows and encourages genetic modification.
The challenge:
Make a game for the video game players of 2022. Describe your game and the world it takes place in through a 5-10min oral pitch.
The entire game from genre to platform are up to you, you can even design a game for a holographic gaming system. Things to cover:
- Core game mechanic – what’s your hook?
- Player demographics
- Genre
- Story
- Multiplayer or not
Describe your world. The above talks about your game, but in order for people hearing your pitch they’ll have to understand the world you’re making the game for in addition to the above STEEP-V breakdown. Be prepared to defend your justifications for your world existing as you see it. Here are some suggestions as to what you should look at (it’s up to you to figure out what is relevant):
- Think of polarities and extremes.
- How do the points in the STEEP-V breakdown connect?
- What are key differences in culture?
- Is there new technology?
- Did the occupy movement occupy Facebook?
- What are the privacy concerns of 2022?
- Have religious people banned video games?
- Try backcasting! How did we get to the world described here?