Super Paper Tennis
Team :: Smarties
The challenge:
To create a game with the elements ‘Chair’, ‘Paper’ and ‘Tennis’ combined with a location based activity.
The solution:
A team oriented game that should take no less than 15minutes to play, perfect for a short break and stretch out. It’s divided into two segments and it’s geared for ‘office dwellers’ and ‘lab rats’ and other workers sitting at a desk.
Segment 1:
is a fast one minute round of ‘Paper Tennis’ as two teams compete. The court is divided by a double row of office chairs, the idea that this game can be brought up at any boring computer lab to lighten the mood and hopefully cure stiff backs. With one team on each side they each have fifty paper balls starting off.
The objective:
To get as many paper balls as possible on the opponent’s side when the 1 minute game ends, a game master will deal with the timing. The team with the least balls on their respective ground at the end of the match wins.
Segment 2:
After a fast paced and shirt warming segment 1 the second segment calms the pace down so the lab workers may stretch out by doing a location based activity. The winning
team picks a random ball; on each ball a number is written. The loosing team now has to push the winning team on office chairs forming a snake to the end of the outer hallway, take the elevator down to the level which share the same number as the ball. Then they push them back the hallway stretch and take an elevator back to their original floor (or something corresponding to your workspace). The idea here is that each time someone plays this game, the random ball picking and corresponding floor will be different in most matches so after a short and funny workout, the workers go on a small trip exploring a different floor of their ever changing working environment with the losers pushing the winners around on office chairs.
How to set up the game at RMIT computer labs:
Special paraphernalia:
100 sheets of recycled paper from the VISY Box in computer lab 37.
One timer or stop watch.
A roll of coloured tape.
A few Lab Chairs.
Preparation:
Roll the sheets into tight balls. Mark them with a number between 5 and 10.
Number of players:
Equal numbers on each side. Over ten players total will be pushing it.
Physical location:
Hallway outside computer labs. Some throwing length is needed.
Instructions:
Make two rows with the chairs basically closing the two teams from each other. The seats should be facing the players. Tape the ground between the two rows of chairs with coloured tape to further distinguish the borders. Place half the balls on each side. The Games Master should try to stand out of the way, if one team has one less team member the GS should step in and assist during the game to equal the numbers out. There is only one round and it lasts one minute.
After both game segments are done (see top) there’s a small RMIT twist to this game that the winners receive a prize when they are safely back at the computer labs. Everyone including the losers receive a piece of candy to regain their strength.
Did you know that:
Tennis can be traced as far back as the ancient Greek game of sphairistike (Greek: Σφαιριστική), and is mentioned in literature as far back as the middle ages in The Second Shepherds’ Play, in which shepherds gave three gifts, including a tennis ball, to the newborn Christ. Sir Gawain, a knight of King Arthur’s round table, plays tennis with a group of giants in The Turke and Gowin. Another mention came in the late 16th century, when William Shakespeare mentions “tennis balles” in his play Henry V, when a basket of them is given to King Henry as a mockery of his youth and playfulTennis
1 comment:
Super Paper Tennis
The game of super paper tennis was a fast active game that may appeal to younger age groups of children in primary school or junior high school. It reminiscence of playing dodge ball or many of those Physical Educations warm up games that were played. The game was fairly easy to play, the hardest part of it being physically tiring. It’s not much of a mental challenge so its learning curve wasn’t too hard to grasp. To play the game over and over there wouldn’t be too much of a difference in how you improve your playing skills. If anything the game would do good as a form of cardiovascular activity.
The rules are clear, they weren’t too logical as there was ways to abuse the game play without breaking the rules in that you could hold back until the last second but if both teams were to do that it would make the game very boring. Although the first time it was played there was a bit of imbalance with teams as one side had an extra wall to help them win. But that was soon fixed up the second time I played as the playing ground was moves over a few meters. The rules were easy to remember as there weren’t too many and they did not get in the way.
There was one main thought established when playing the game. That it did all come down to one main strategy of holding back till the last few seconds. I think its area is what contributed to the game being fun. The theme of the game was a bit random mixed with a bit of dodge ball. The fact that the game was played in a hallway at University kind of helped with the randomness of the game. Special paraphernalia need also made it very random as chairs were nets and scrunched up paper our ball, but I think if a real net was used along with real balls it probably would not have extended the experience as I think it was meant to be just a little silly and fun.
The goals were pretty straight forward and they also included the punishment or reward in the game which made it pretty satisfying instead of just knowing you won, you experienced it. The goals were also kind of instinctive, you could kind of know what was going to happen once the playing field was set up, this could be thanks to all the game we played in primary school. I found it was hard to point out the winner because I think it just depends on what you prefer to do based on the punishment because when the players who won did found out there reward of being pushed around on chairs, some seems a bit un easy.
The game play was quick and fast paced. You could take the game very seriously and play it strategically or you could just go wild either way it was pretty fun to play. I think its possible to play it a couple of times and then it may get a little too repetitive, or you might be too tired to play it anymore. The game could have been improved by probably adding in more goals, because it is a bit straight forwards , but I think it also was the intention to be a simplistic game that really came down to how you wanted to play it. What worked was its simplicity and lack of rules that kind of leave you open to just play and have fun.
This game was short and quick fun. Its main weak point is the duration (5minutes) and not very much location based.
It wouldn’t have been very challenging or strategically difficult if we decided to play smart and just waited til the end to dump all the paper balls on the other team. But throwing paper balls was more fun regardless of whether we were going to win or not.
The punishment for losing was also a little fun, although having to wait for the elevator slowed down the game a bit.
This game I think it suits anyone below year 7 as it really freak us out with sweat particularly carrying the winner down the stairs. Besides the physical part, this game does not require any thinking and strategy to win but the winner will definitely have the "feel good" factor at the end of it.
Objective: An adaptation of miniature tennis and dodge ball where by two opposing teams must endeavor to get rid of as much paper scrunched balls to the other side to win. Losers then have to engage in a losing task, of pushing the winner down the hall to the elevator where by the number is allocated in the piled scrunched balls. Winners are rewarded with a tennis ball as a trophy.
Appeal: Any age group can play this game. The game was a fairly simple and straight forward. It was easy to understand because the concept of dodge ball and tennis was familiarized. The game is very exciting and physically thrilling because a spark and short burst of energy is required due the length of game played. The game has the potential to have a steep learning curve through repetition of play. Repetition can generate more team work and strategy. This game can be definitely played over and over to improve skills.
Rules: The rules are very simple to follow. The logic behind the game is simple for any age group to play. Rules are easy to remember and to play. The amount of people able to play would be suggestion of only 6 players,( 3vs3) due to the space. The rules do not get in the way of the game.
Magic Circle: The overall scope was entertainment. The game successfully achieved all facets in that area of criteria. However the appropriateness of the location of the game was a disadvantage for one opposing team due to the wall acting as an unfair flaw within the game. However, later when the game went under second trial the problem was solved (through changing location- bringing the game forward in the corridor). The paraphernalia used was 3 chairs for the net, scrunched paper and sticky tape for the lines on the floor. The items are appropriate in the game. There is a definite potential to develop the game as a quick fun game.
Goals: The goals are straight forward. Whoever has the least scrunched balls in their side wins. Loses who have the most loses. Game action makes total sense within the game because its simple and concise to follow.
Duration: 5 minutes. The game was too short. Could have more rounds.
Evaluation: The game was very entertaining and fun. I would definitely play this game again. It was fun because it has a lot of action and adrenaline to it. The game would probably only be played in a controlled environment and this on free will, I don’t think people would participate. Improvements to be made would be location of game be equal and have more rounds. The most thing that worked about this game is the fun element and adrenaline rush.
Who would the game appeal to?
The game appeals to age group of 7-18. However, it still appeals to anyone. It is like a stress relief for anyone to go wild.
Was it too hard? or Easy? Why?
It was very easy to play as there are very few rules and a simple objective.
Was it physically or mentally challenging?
It was physically challenging due to the need to keep the papers out of our boundaries as much and as fast as possible.
Does it have a steep learning curve?
No, it is a simple game with a simple objective.
Would it be a game people came back to play again to improve their skills etc?
Yes, people would come back to play for the thrill and relaxation of it.
Rules
Are they clear, comprehensible, logical?
Yes, the rules are clear, simple to understand and logical due the familiarity with rules in a real tennis game.
Are they easy to remember and follow?
Yes, simple and few rules to follow.
Are there enough or too many?
Maybe it would have been more challenging to have more rules, but it will make the game harder for people to catch on.
Do they get in the way of playing the game?
No.
Magic circle
Is a sense of the scope of the game established?
Probably, as the game is too simple.
Is it over an appropriate area?
Sort of, the area played has a small but comfortable zone but the problem was that the other team had a wall behind. Thus that does not allow the paper balls to go out of bound, unlike the other team.
Is any special paraphernalia needed for it appropriate?
Not much, but maybe a few different paper balls that holds a higher value to make it more interesting.
Do such items fit in with the theme of the game?
Yes it does as it relates to the objectives of the game to have lesser paper balls on our own boundaries.
Do they extend the experience or potential of the game?
No, more items or rules could have been implemented to make it more interesting.
Goals
Do you know what the goal of the game is?
Yes, to have lesser paper balls within my side of the boundaries.
Do the game actions make sense in relation to the goal?
Yes, but different strategies could change the game actions like holding on to all the paper balls until the last second.
Do the goals seem meaningful?
Yes, but the winners get pushed around on the chair seems irrelevant to the game.
Duration
Did it take too long?
No, in fact although it maybe tiring, it could have been longer.
What was the experience like?
It was simply going wild and letting people play like a little child.
Was it fun? And why/not?
Yes it was fun, as it allows a certain amount of team work and lets us play like children.
Would anyone play it if they weren’t forced to?
Yes they would, but some people would prefer not to act like a child. It probably depends on the mood of the person.
What could have been improved?
Maybe the game master should not let the players know that there is a time limit and simple call the game to end and a random time.
There are too little paper balls as I feel it is a game where the player just goes wild. Therefore there should be a lot more paper balls to cause more chaos.
What really worked about it?
It’s simplicity about the game play due to understanding of the real tennis game and the enjoyment of being like a child
Who would the game appeal to?
Most likely a younger audience would like this game as it more a childish game but still fun in its own element
Hard/Easy?
The game was very simple and very easy to learn, hence made for kids or very active / playful people.
Rules?
Rules were very basic and therefore quick to pick up, there was no questioning the rules to this game. Very easy to remember.
Magic Circle
The game was played in a very appropriate area, and most likely could not be played anywhere else but in RMIT hallways.
Goals.
The goals were simple and not hard to forget. Throw paper balls on the other side, that is all. Easy and fun.
Duration
The games time was very appropriate considering what had to be done, one minute or even two is all each team needs.
Game Experience?
The game experience is very quick and active.
Fun?
Yes, as this game is kind of meant for younger players, everyone can enjoy throwing paper balls around a hallway!
Improved?
The only improvement I would have put in is to make the area wider so players in the team could move around more
What worked well about it?
Just the fact that anyone could pick up the rules so easily
This game will appeal to and age group of 10 – 20.
The difficulty was pretty easy.
It was physically challenging with all the running around you do in this game there was no mental challenge at all.
There is basically no learning curve.
People would come back for fun not to improve their skills though.
Rules
There were almost no rules to the game.
Impossible to forget.
There were not really enough rules to the game, which was part of the fun, I think.
The lack of rule kinda gets in the way of the game play.
Magic circle
The location was the most appropriate they could have found at school.
Everything needed was supplied.
Goals
The goals of the game were clear.
The actions make perfect sense in relation to the goals.
The meaning to the goals is to win.
Duration
Was perfect time for the game the time was a minute witch suited well.
Game play
It was the most fun out all the games.
It could have been improved by adding more reals.
It really worked well because it was fun and fast.
Who would the game appeal to?
Anyone of all ages, its like a very soft version of a snowball war.
Was it too hard or easy? Why?
It was easy, all you had to do was throw paper balls at the other team and hope that when the time ran out you had less than they did on your side of the lines.
Was it physically or mentally challenging?
Physically. You spent the time on your knees scrabbling for paper and throwing at the other team.
Does it have a steep learning curve?
Nope, just join in and start throwing!
Would it be a game people came back to play again to improve their skills?
Yes, but not so much for skills but just to throw paper at everyone. There is some strategy, like hoarding paper until the final 5 second.
Rules
Are they clear, comprehensible, logical?
Yes.
Are they easy to remember and follow?
Yes.
Are there enough or too many?
It was all clear and simple and weren’t that many.
Do they get in the way of playing the game?
Nope.
Magic Circle
Is a sense of the scope of the game established?
Yes, the boundaries were marked clearly with black tape on the floor.
Is it over an appropriate area?
Yes, it was just big enough for everyone to still manoeuvre. The hallway sides also helped keep it compact.
Is any special paraphernalia needed for it appropriate?
The chairs weren’t really needed, anything that could have acted as a net could have taken its place. It just provided something to hide behind- not needed since getting hit didn’t matter.
Do such items fit in the theme of the game?
I suppose…the game needed a net and the chairs suited it well enough. Only problem was that some of the paper landed on the chairs or beneath them so we couldn’t get to them easily and shifting the chairs out of the way shifted where the paper fell on the centre line.
Do they extend the experience or potential of the game?
It was just an item of the game.
Goals
Do you know what the goal of the game is?
Yes, to have the least amount of paper on your side of the centre line.
Do the game actions make sense in relation to the goal?
Yes.
Do the goals seem meaningful?
Yes, getting pushed around on a chair does seem like a fun prize for winning.
Duration
Did it take too long?
No, one minute was good. It was short enough to make it nice and quick and if it was longer people would have gotten tired.
Game Play
What was the experience like?
Amusing. Spent the whole time laughing and throwing paper around.
Was it fun? Why/not?
Very fun, its my first time in something that resembled a snowball fight.
Would anyone play it if they weren’t being forced to?
Yes, just for the amusement factor.
What could have been improved?
Nothing, it seemed really set out and easily played.
What really worked about it?
Everything. Just the whole throwing paper around at other people. It’s like legal littering.
Who would the game appeal to?
- teenages to 35 yrs of age.
Was it too hard? Or Easy? Why?
- easy because you can rest then use final blow in the end.
Was it physically or mentally challenging?
- very physical, makes you sweat alot ^^
Does it have a steep learning curve?
- yes it keeps you fit.
Would it be a game people came back to play again to improve their skill etc?
- not really because its too tired.
Rules
Are they clear, comprehensible, logical?
- yes its clear & make sense to body movement physically.
Are they easy to remember and follow?
- yes very easy to follow.
Are there enough or too many?
- just right.
Do they get in the way of playing the game?
- balls fall out of the game line & it will be difficult for other team to pick up.
Magic Circle
Is a sense of the Scope of the game established?
- yes in depth.
Is it over an appropriate area?
- area is small but tedious.
Is any special paraphernalia needed for it appropriate?
- papers, tennis ball, chairs, tapes.
Do such items fit in with the theme of the game?
- yes the papers balls
Do they extend the experience or potential of the game?
- half of them.
Goals
Do you know what the goal of the game is?
- getting you tired ^^
Do the game actions make sense in relation to the goal?
- yes to help you reduce body fat in such short amount of time.
Do the goals seem meaningful?
- it relates to sport.
Duration
Did it take too long?
- not at all.
What was the experience like?
Gameplay.
- makes you exercise a lot.
Was it fun? And why / not?
- yeah at the start, but feels a bit annoying in the end.
Would anyone play it if they weren't being forced to?
- depending on their physical type.
What could have been improved?
- spend little time on throwing less paper balls(5 mins or less)
What really worked about it?
- physical fitness ^ ^
This game I think it suits anyone below year 7 as it really freak us out with sweat particularly carrying the winner down the stairs. Besides the physical part, this game does not require any thinking and strategy to win but the winner will definitely have the "feel good" factor at the end of it.
This highly addictive game is for all age groups. It was amazingly simple while requiring players skilled both physically and strategically. This is a game that can be played in any school computer lab or business office. The original game utilised chairs used as a divide but other office equipment could be substituted if required. The few rules were simple, logical and easy to remember. Also there was a clear winner with team progress easily judged by an audience.
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