A Design Implication for Casual Card Games in Game Jam

DOI

10.2991/978-94-6239-612-8_8How to use a DOI?

Keywords

board game; game jam; design process; engagement; fun

Abstract

Just like video games, board games also need a long iterative development. However, there is still a lack of research on board games, particularly regarding their design and production processes in tight schedule environment, such as a board game jam. This paper explores the question: How can a board game be created in time-constrained environment such as a game jam offers the same level of engagement as one that begins with gameplay mechanics? To address this question, the study employs prototype testing through a set of questions, receiving 33 responses. The findings reveal three main insights: first, board game design process in game jam can obtain fun both from mechanics or theme; second, players are still looking for social connections in board games; and third, theme, mechanics, and visuals are highly correlated in making a board game engaging. This paper argues that a non-traditional approach is useful in studying how to design engaging board games during game jam. The study also acknowledges limitations due to the small sample size and the early stage of prototype testing. Therefore, future research may consider implementing more mechanics and more experienced players.

Copyright

© 2026 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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TY  - CONF
AU  - Nadia Mahatmi
AU  - Rani Aryani Widjono
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/03/18
TI  - A Design Implication for Casual Card Games in Game Jam
BT  - Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference and Exhibition of Innovation in Media and Visual Design (IMDES 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 87
EP  - 98
SN  - 2667-128X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6239-612-8_8
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6239-612-8_8
ID  - Mahatmi2026
ER  -