Master and Slaves
Team: Nodoze
Game Overview:
One Master, Two groups of Slaves.
In this game the Master is in control and to win the Slaves must do exactly what the Master commands and report back quickly and correctly.
The game is conducted with a minimum of five players.
The players are separated into two groups of Slaves. (See Player numbers for more details)
The game begins with the Master leaving to a secret location and the Slaves remaining at the start location waiting for the Master’s instructions. After arriving to the secret location, the Master then chooses the task for his/her Slaves to complete from a list in the Master document.
The Slaves then must follow the Master’s tasks and clues from the audio/visual device to find several locations within the game. The completion of each location point will involved the finding of a parchment and a bonus task which the slaves may choose to complete for extra points. The bonus tasks are far from pleasant and will ridicule the Slaves.
The group of Slaves that complete most of the location and find the Master back at the secrete location, with the correct items located on the way and the most tallied points will win and gain the reward of serving the Master till the end of time.
The group of Slaves that complete most of the location and find the Master back at the secrete location, with the correct items located on the way and the most tallied points will win and gain the reward of serving the Master till the end of time.
Aims of the Game:
The aim of the game is simply to please the Master.
To please the Master the Slaves must follow directed instructions from the Master. Using the audio/visual device, the two teams of Slaves guess various locations that the Master sends them. Once all Masters’ instructions have been completed they must find the Master and display evident that the Master’s instructions have been completed.
Player Numbers:
The game is conducted with a minimum of five players.
The players are separated into two groups of Slaves.
Game Rules:
1. To complete the game Slaves must complete all of the Master’s tasks and return to the Master providing evidence of location/task completion.
2. Slave teams begin with a total of five points:
- Two Points for Slave team providing evidence of each location completion to the Master.
- The Master will judge the degree of effort of bonus task completed by Slave teams in order to give bonus task points.
- One point will be deducted and onward for request of one clue (SMS) from the Master.
- Three points will be deducted if Slave teams are unable to find a location within the marked time frame set by the Master. A new location will be given afterwards.
3. Only the team with the most tallied points will win the game.
4. If any of the audio/visual devices are misused, mistreated, damaged or lost by the Slaves, the Slave responsible must repay the full cost of the device to the Master. The Slave will also incur a punishment set by the Master.
1 comment:
Master and Slaves feedback
The creators put a lot of thought and effort into this game. Good use of mobile technology. It was quite fun running around with our group trying to find the location. The game wasn’t too hard; although the tasks we had to perform could have been better thought out. It was quite hard to understand the game at the start, but once we did the first one, it became much more clear.
Our goals were quite clear, find the location then read whatever is written on the parchment then perform the task. It reminds me greatly of the TV show The Amazing Race. Duration of the game was fairly suitable.
Obviously the game owner/designer has spent lots of effort in preparing their props in order to make this game an interesting one. It takes quite a while to understand how to play but after the first round I got the hang of it and be able to "concur" the rest pretty smoothly. One has to be physically fit to walk/run and we even have to visit Building 94 at Carlton campus instead of within our city campus which I personally think it has broken the rule. Anyway, this is still the best amount the three we have played.
Objective: To find the location of the scrolls supported be the aid of ‘master’s’ messages and zen video clues. When clues have been discovered, video or photographic evidence must be shown.
Appeal: This game is definitely for a mature audience above the ages of 12+. It also makes it easier if the game player was from RMIT university or familiar with the locations. The game as a whole is not difficult to play although a little struggle was evident through the early stage of the game due to the amount information given. However perseverance is needed to understand the rules in order for the enjoyment to kick in. There is a lot of acting learning throughout the game eg through unraveling the codes and clues. This game would not be a game that can be repeated because clues are all ready fixed on location.
Rules: The rules are concise and easy flowing through the guidance of the master text messaging
guidance through clues and time left in the game. The games rules are easy to remember and play. The amount of players can definitely be increased however that would require more masters or a very organized person. The rules don’t get in the way at all.
Magic Circle: The scope of the game is a theme of class status depicting slave from master. Through the use of scrolls and zen video, the paraphernalia definetly gives the impression that players were maggots and slaves, especially in an example of knelling in front of Shiralee. The location was definitely adequate for the game to work. The experience of the game is lifted through the scrolls and creative zen videos.
Goals: The goal is very simple. Find the treasure which then will aid to the discovery of the master. The game is very linear and straight forward. And thus the game actions make sense in relation to the goal.
Duration: 70min. The game took a bit longer due to the amount of distance covered within the game.
Experience: The game had a very raw feeling of olden day feel to it because of the paraphernalia. Eg scrolls. However the creative video messages spread on the zen player was definitely a big hit because is showed a lot of effort and thought in the game. The game had minor flaws when the scroll didn’t have a reply message in order to notify the master of completion of task. But apart from that the game really worked well.
Who would the game appeal to?
It would appeal to the young generation age between 12-18
Was it too hard? or Easy? Why?
It was quite easy as the clues given are of familiar sights around the school
Was it physically or mentally challenging?
It was physically challenging. If it was played in an unfamiliar ground then it would be mentally challenging
Does it have a steep learning curve?
No, basically players just have to follow the clues given.
Would it be a game people came back to play again to improve their skills etc?
Yes, people would come back to challenge themselves.
Rules
Are they clear, comprehensible, logical?
Yes.
Are they easy to remember and follow?
Yes, it is easy to follow.
Are there enough or too many?
There aren’t many rules to follow, simply following the instructions.
Do they get in the way of playing the game?
No.
Magic circle
Is a sense of the scope of the game established?
Yes, basically acting and doing things a slave would do.
Is it over an appropriate area?
Yes, as it is around the school, people are familiar with the compound.
Is any special paraphernalia needed for it appropriate?
Yes, the clues (scrolls)
Do such items fit in with the theme of the game?
Very well.
Do they extend the experience or potential of the game?
Yes
Goals
Do you know what the goal of the game is?
Yes, it is to follow the clues and rescue someone
Do the game actions make sense in relation to the goal?
Yes
Do the goals seem meaningful?
Yes, to rescue someone
Duration
Did it take too long?
Average.
What was the experience like?
It was enjoyable but tiring
Was it fun? And why/not?
Yes it was fun as the clues were very well thought of and interesting
Would anyone play it if they weren’t forced to?
Yes
What could have been improved?
Maybe people need to collect objects along the way
What really worked about it?
The clues written on cloth with stains etc.
The second game tested was Master and Slaves by team NoDoze. From the moment we were handed our instructions (on burnt parchment no less), it was obvious that a lot of thought and effort had gone into this game. Tasked with finding the gamemaster (John McDaid), each team was given a portable media player loaded with video clues which lead to the location of the next set of instructions. Each new parchment we found described a task the team had to complete before proceeding to the next location. SMS provided the communication link between the teams and the gamemaster.
The game included a good mix of running around and puzzle solving. The tasks required of the team at each location were creative and fun, but I suspect that the gamemaster was more entertained than we were. Though we didn't find the gamemaster before time ran out, the urgency and pacing of the game seemed just right. The system of video clues and team-based tasks reminded me of The Amazing Race, minus Jerry Bruckheimer's penchant for melodrama.
Thanks to thorough preparation and forethought, there's little that could be improved with this game. There's no limit to the possible locations and tasks this system could be applied to.
Fantastic Game. Most everything about it came out as thoughful, intriguing and generally fun.
The game combined physical tasks, with mental challenge and social embarrasment, all the
while really utilising its surroundings. It was very strongly connected to its surroundings and
used its communication very effectively.
Who would the game appeal to?
This is rather open ended and has an Amazing-Race sort of appeal that most people will enjoy.
Its roughly competitive without direct contact so its not heavily stressful, yet exciting.
Was it too hard? Or Easy? Why?
The game depended strongly on a knowledge of the RMIT campus and encouraged players to
interact with it. It promoted a knowledge of the place. And the clues were just about hard
enough to have to thinking even if you knew it well, and easy enough to eliminate frustration.
Was it physically or mentally challenging?
The game used most of what you had. Memory, stamina, creativity, partial social disregard. It
made you swallow pride and run.
Rules
Are they clear, comprehensible, logical?
Strictly speaking there we no real rules. You had a task and you had to accomplish it. You had all
the clues sitting on your media player but it was no use watching them cause you wouldn't know
which one was yours until you got it. This made the game scope wide and playing it explorative.
Is it over an appropriate area?
The area was well selected. Since the clues were videos of locations around campus it was well
suited to a group who were familiar with the territory. Excellent use of video here and the
selections of locations we both intruiging and obvious.
Is any special paraphernalia needed for it appropriate?
You start the game with a scroll, a camera and a media player. This was engaging and
entertaining because not much instruction was given by the game master and much was left to
your imagination. The media player had an opening video that sucked you straight into the world.
From there, the use of SMS made you wait for the next clue and the source seemed almost
anonymous and mysterious.
Goals
Do you know what the goal of the game is?
FIND ME. Individual task goals were incendental to this purpose but made finding a task fun.
Do the game actions make sense in relation to the goal?
Each task asks you to do something completely unrelated to the final objective. It seemed a bit
trivial but quite effectively merged a couple of genres of game styles. The importance of the
final goal was then temporarily pushed out of the way and each task became a game in itself.
This has its pros and cons but in a short time span, its plays out really well.
Duration
Did it take too long?
The time was a bit rushed. Even over the amount you'd need to keep something interesting, but I
presume this was also a result of the general compressed timeline of the day.
Gameplay.
Was it fun? And why/not?
The game essentially let you play with it. Have your fun, achieve silly goals and simply enjoy
yourself. Each clue/task was easy, but racing against the other team made speed essential. Also,
you couldn't see the other team, or how well they were doing – that can be a positive or negative
depending on the players.
Would anyone play it if they weren’t being forced to?
This is a difficult question. But give the game five minutes and you wont walk away.
What could have been improved?
Aiming the tasks towards the central goal could have re-enforced the theme.
As could have a continuing story line or advancing plot. A bit of a narrative would have made you
a character in the story more strongly than 'slave'; although that was strongly convincing.
What really worked about it?
The mystery was fantastic. It held you pretty firmly. The amount of activity was great. You could
do a good amount of tasks because they were intrinsically easy.
The videos were 'spooky' and the music quite well selected. The game was very highly
immersive and called to be played.
The lack of rules let you do what you please. Always great.
And the communication definitely enhanced the feeling of ... paranoia maybe.
Who would the game appeal to?
- teenages, people who are physically fit
Was it too hard? Or Easy? Why?
- hard because you need to read the text very carefully.
we have to rewind the ipod to review the video clip.
Was it physically or mentally challenging?
- very physically demanding
Does it have a steep learning curve?
- it teaches you how to gather informations & improve treasure hunting skills.
Would it be a game people came back to play again to improve their skill etc?
- No, it cannot be played again becuase you have already discovered the locations of the game.
Rules
Are they clear, comprehensible, logical?
- not quite clear because you need to rewind the ipod over & over again to finally
get to understand it all.
Are they easy to remember and follow?
- not easy because the instruction is hard to read already, and because i have a
short term memory loss.
Are there enough or too many?
- no, the rules quantity are just right.
Do they get in the way of playing the game?
- yeah, its the physical fitness that trubles us.
Magic Circle
Is a sense of the Scope of the game established?
- ya, its very linear
Is it over an appropriate area?
- yes, the areas for playing this game is quite large.
Is any special paraphernalia needed for it appropriate?
- yeah it would be better if there is rollerskate equipt.
Do such items fit in with the theme of the game?
- the ipod is essential, the mobile phone is neccessary, instruction notes is needed,
the video of torture is necessary for the game.
Do they extend the experience or potential of the game?
- no the potential of the game is to find the object.
Goals
Do you know what the goal of the game is?
- find the object, meet with host of the game.
Do the game actions make sense in relation to the goal?
- yeah contact the host every time each task is complete
Do the goals seem meaningful?
- kinda, it helps you learn how to find & gather information.
Duration
Did it take too long?
- yeah well...its becuase of travel -_-
What was the experience like?
Gameplay.
- like playing sport ^ ^
Was it fun? And why / not?
- it was fun for once only because once its being discovered its no more fun.
Would anyone play it if they weren't being forced to?
- if they haven't played before yes
What could have been improved?
- put rollerskate or skate board, shorten the length of the game, clearly
type out the text so that its easy to read ;)
What really worked about it?
- it helps you find goals in meaningful of purpose & improve investigation skills.
The second game that my group played was called ‘Master and Slaves’ and it definitely was by far the best one! There was not a printed out document outlining the game but players received a short introduction to the game by one member who ran the game. Afterwards, we were given a cloth telling us what we had to do. The rules were obvious and there was nothing which I did not understand, it was pretty straight forward and understandable. The aim of the game was to find the ‘Master’ and the first team to do this was titled the winner.
Two teams of about five people competed in the game. Each team was given a digital camera and a Creative Zen video player which was to be used to access clues on what we were required to do. This added a lot of interest to the game and made things a lot of fun. The rules were quite easy to follow and the challenges given were easy as well. Probably the last clue given to actually find the ‘Master’ was the hardest one to follow as it wasn’t too clear but took some time to figure out what it was afterwards.
I would say that the game was both mentally and physically challenging, but mainly physically. It involved a lot of either walking fast or running from one place to another, which did get tiring at times but because the game was fun, it encouraged us to keep going and continue on with the game.
The game was able to be completed within the time frame, it didn’t go overtime or way under, it was planned well in that sense. Time was very important though as you had to go from one place to a different location to retrieve the clues and complete the tasks given.
I think that anybody would play this game if they weren’t forced to as it does appeal to probably anybody of any age, although it did have some sexual feel to it. Some clues given suggested this, for example “you must please me” and so on. One task required the group to take some “sexy” photos of each other. This probably embarrassed some of the group members but it was a good way of enjoying the game and having a laugh as a group.
I’m not too sure if there were anything major that I could recommend for improvement. The game worked, it was planned very well and it ended in one team winning and another coming second. Prizes were awarded to both teams which was still rewarding for the losers.
Game appeal: 15 years plus, mainly between 15-25. Those who like puzzle games will probably like it too.
The clues were great until the last one, because we knew it was a library, but we went to the wrong one. It was physically and mentally challenging, but there was no major learning curve. It was mentally challenging because you had to use word and picture association to figure out the clues. Physically challenging because you only had 10 minutes to do the allocated task. It would definitely be a game where people come back to play again.
Rules: The rules were quite clear and very easy to understand. They were also easy to follow as well as the adequate amount of rules. The game would not have worked without the rules. The rules were updated with every clue, which only really regarded that clue, so it was well thought out.
Magic circle: The scope was well established, as soon as you watched the first video. It was set up well and followed the theme exactly.
Most of it was over the appropriate area. Excluding the last place which was at the Carlton library rather then at the main RMIT building like all the other challenges, which made it confusing for us. The items were used really well. They used a combination of SMS, video media players, and paper to provide clues and instructions.
They certainly extend the experience. Most of the clues used pictures, video and music and it just wouldn’t have worked without it. The clues would have been a lot harder to follow. It was well thought out and executed brilliantly.
A great game, that got everyone involved even though singing happy birthday to a stranger was highly embarrassing. It was moderately difficult to play with well thought out clues. The rules were clear and made tons of sense and were very creatively done. It was mentally challenging and definitely had a learning curve. It is a game where people can come back and improve their skills mainly because people would start to know what to look for in the clues. The rules didn’t get in the way of the game and were easy to remember and follow. It was over a largish area but seemed appropriate; as it meant that running was involved but not necessary if you were really lazy. The goal of the game was to complete the tasks and then find the game master first. The goals were meaningful and made complete sense as we were the slaves and the game master was obviously the master. It took the whole time to play but it didn’t matter as it didn’t seem quite long enough. It was fun as it was challenging, silly and involved heaps of teamwork. I would absolutely play again if I wasn’t being forced to. Everything seemed to work well and the game was clearly well thought through. It would have been a little better if it was played for longer but that’s the only suggestion really.
Obviously the game owner/designer has spent lots of effort in preparing their props in order to make this game an interesting one. It takes quite a while to understand how to play but after the first round I got the hang of it and be able to "concur" the rest pretty smoothly. One has to be physically fit to walk/run and we even have to visit Building 94 at Carlton campus instead of within our city campus which I personally think it has broken the rule. Anyway, this is still the best amount the three we have played.
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