Exercise #1 - Ball Game Assignment

January 10th, 2014* (Date Assigned)

Summary:

Originally, my first day of class was supposed to be this day. Unfortunately, I did not get to attend for various reasons. However, I did get to catch up and am now up to date. I just thought I would post the assignment that was originally due. 

I was very happy and excited to do this particular assignment because this is my first time ever making up a game idea for myself. I apologize if it comes off as overly boring or simple. Hopefully, as I develop in creativity and skills, I can be capable of developing more complex and interesting games. 

Assignment Description:

Ball Game Challenge 

Create a competitive game for two players and a ball that does not involve throwing it or kicking it.  Prove that it is a game by showing how it contains all the essential elements.

Game Title: Sprint Ball

Game Description: A simple game that requires two things. A ball and stamina. The preferred area of play is in a location the approximate size of a basketball court. This game requires a great deal of cardio as each round will require a sprint(s). The game goes as followed:

The game starts as the ball is placed directly in the middle of the arena. The players are facing opposite directions, with their backs turned toward one another and both are unable to see their opponent. In the middle of the two of them is the ball. The game officially starts when both players agree to sprint. The objective is to run to the end of the court and back to the ball in the middle. The first player to grab and hold the ball (past the waist) earns ten points. Winners are determined by being the first to gain 50 points (can be adjusted to 20-40 points for victory). 

However, after each round, the game changes from a symmetrical balance to an asymmetrical balance. The winner of each round is put at a disadvantage every time, as the winner loses two feet of ball space the following round.

Game Elements:

1) Play
- The player is fully in control of his/her fate. Their ability to outrun their opponent is essential to their success. In this game, the more athletically healthy and experienced runner should win. However, as the game goes on, the two foot ball gaps should obstruct the superior runner from achieving a 50-0 end score.
2) Pretending
- We imagine that the ball in the middle has some significance. The ball itself in this "magic circle" has a significance of ten points. 
3) Goals
- The goal in this game is simple. Be faster than your opponent.
- But at the same time remembering that you can't always be faster due to health limitations. You have to keep in mind the long-term goal of victory. Can the pace you set for the first game be met in the third or fourth? The game can be strategical in that one may even pace themselves one round, giving their opponent a great opportunity to steal a round, while one recovers and regains two feet of ball space in return.
4) Rules
- Basic Rules:
a) Requires 2 Players
b) Requires a Ball
c) Arena the size of a Basketball Court (preferred)
d)The Ball = 10 points.
e) The Winner of each round loses 2 Feet of Ball Space in their Opponent's Favor.
f) Termination Condition requires the Winner acquire 50 points before the Opponent can.

- Miscellaneous:
a) Additional Rules:
  - Ball Type is Adjustable; Preferred Lighter Weight.
  - The Arena can be bigger of smaller depending on preference. However, one might want to adjust the Two Foot Ball Space Handicap according to area.
  - Termination Condition Points can be adjusted due to average staminas.
 b) Other
  - No Late Starts, No False Starts.
  - Tie Rounds: (Where both Players grab the Ball at the same time) Results in both Players receiving ten points and NO Handicap to either side for the following round. Tie rounds also force the ball back to the middle of the arena regardless of previous advantage.
  - If a Game results in a score of 50-50, an Overall Tie, the game will then be decided by a Final                   Termination Round. This round is played as followed:
    - Both Players Start at the END of the court instead of being next to the ball.
    - First Player to grab the Ball earns a final 10 points to bring the score to 60-50.
    - If a Tie occurs in the Termination Round, both Players must play until there is a Winner.


Thoughts:

Originally, I didn't think I could make an applicable game with just a ball with no kicking or throwing. But, I learned that from a simple idea, you can come up with all sorts of options.

I just combined a few things that I knew I liked. I like to run on my free time so I thought that this game would be well suited for people who like to get in exercise in daily. I also decided that it should be competitive game because I've always liked how competition seemed to get me focused; how it helped make me lose myself in the game. I think the combination of exercise and competition as my goals ultimately helped me make a game in which, I believe, gives you the sensation of not realizing you are actually exercising. With that, I came up with a game called Sprint Ball.

My first idea I had with Sprint Ball revolved around possibly hiding it. Generally, everyone who plays games requiring a ball desires to possess it one way or another. I first thought of making the ball like a treasure. But, eventually I determined that I didn't want to make a hide and seek game at the moment because this was going to be my first game. Ultimately, I decided that I'd go really simple. 

So I just thought of having two people running really fast at the same object. The idea of running after the ball while simultaneously seeing your opponent do the same thing made the game more competitive to me. I was not too sure how applicable this game would be in real life but I liked how it sounded in my mind.

Lastly, During my thinking process, what I kept asking myself was how do I give the ball significance? In all the games I could think of, the ball has some sort of neutrality. I wanted the ball to be more than just neutral. For me, the ball needed to be positive but at the same time also be a curse. I really wanted there to be some penalty or handicap for grabbing it. So I made winning a round result in the Two Feet Ball Space Handicap. And because I integrated this idea, I think that it added a whole lot more strategy to an otherwise very simple game.

Truly, even now, I still  don't know how this game really turned out. But, as of right now, I'm happy that it's something that is mine and something that I created. The first game I've ever made.