Farizah Naeem
The Kitsune's Game
This first-year university project focused on developing a memory-based social deduction game where players work together to escape the Trickster Kitsune's illusion.
Roles and Responsibilities
Team Members:
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Liam Jull
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Benjamin Midanik
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Farizah Naeem
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Aftab Tariq
Game Concept
Liam Jull
Benjamin Midanik
Farizah Naeem
Aftab Tariq
Game Instructions
Benjamin Midanik
Aftab Tariq
Play Testing
Liam Jull
Benjamin Midanik
Farizah Naeem
Aftab Tariq
Art Work
Farizah Naeem
Liam Jull
Aftab Tariq
The Working Process and Actions Taken
Game Conceptualization
The concept for The Kitsune's Game evolved through a collaborative brainstorming process. Initially, the team focused on creating a memory-based game. As discussions progressed, the idea of incorporating a lying mechanic was introduced, adding a social deduction element that brought the Trickster Kitsune's illusion to life. This blend of memory challenges and deception became the core of the game's unique and engaging experience.
Game Objective
The goal of the game is to gather information to create pairs of evidence cards at specific locations through memory and discussion in order to escape the Kitsune’s illusion.
Game Components
(Image of Location Cards in progress)
(Image of completed Location Cards hand drawn by Farizah)
(Initial graphics for different components of the game)
(Revised graphics for different components of the game)
(Different iterations for the Role and Evidence cards)
**Since none of us in the team spoke Japanese, we wanted to ensure we were naming things correctly. We recruited a Japanese-speaking friend (Corwin) to check the authenticity of our work. After reviewing it, he found some locations were named incorrectly and provided the correct words for them.**
(The Location Cards that needed changing)
Corwin suggested the following:
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For "samurai school," you could use "Kenjutsu," which translates roughly to "way of the sword." There isn't a universal name for all samurai schools, as each had its own distinct name.
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"Samurai" remains simply "samurai."
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"Public school" is translated as "Kōritsu gakkō."
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For "imperial house," it would be more appropriate to refer to it as "imperial palace," which is "Kōkyo."
Instructions Manual
We created an Instructions Manual for our game which is essential because it provides players with the necessary guidelines and rules to understand how the game is meant to be played. It clarifies the objectives, explains the mechanics, and details any specific components or actions required during gameplay. The manual ensures that all players start with the same understanding, reducing confusion and enabling a smoother, more enjoyable gaming experience. Additionally, it serves as a reference point for players to consult if any questions or uncertainties arise during the game.
Click the button to view Instructions Manual
Play Testing
After finalizing all the game components, we recruited friends, classmates, and older students to playtest our game. This allowed us to ensure that the game mechanics were intuitive and that the game could be played smoothly without any issues.
Outcomes and Takeaways
We successfully developed The Kitsune's Game, a memory-based social deduction game that combines memory recall and deduction mechanics, fostering teamwork and strategic discussion among players. Authentic Japanese elements, verified by a native speaker, were incorporated to enhance cultural accuracy and depth. Positive feedback from diverse playtesting groups confirmed the game's engaging mechanics and thematic appeal.
Key takeaways include the importance of cultural authenticity, the value of playtesting with diverse audiences, the need for clear instructions and intuitive mechanics, and the balance between complexity and accessibility to ensure an enjoyable experience for all skill levels.