Dystopian Board Game Design: Survive the Game
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design a board game that effectively simulates the challenges, choices, and consequences of living in a dystopian society, reflecting real-world issues and exploring themes of resistance and oppression?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How do dystopian societies reflect real-world issues and anxieties?
- What are the key elements and characteristics of dystopian literature and societies?
- How do authors use literary devices to create a sense of unease and oppression in dystopian settings?
- In what ways can individuals resist oppressive forces in a dystopian society?
- How do choices and consequences shape the outcomes in a dystopian world?
- How can game mechanics effectively simulate the challenges and moral dilemmas of living in a dystopia?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Understand the characteristics of dystopian societies and literature.
- Apply knowledge of dystopian elements to design a board game.
- Analyze the impact of choices and consequences in a dystopian setting.
- Develop game mechanics that simulate the challenges of a dystopian world.
- Reflect on real-world issues and anxieties represented in dystopian themes.
Common Core Standards
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsDystopian Dilemma Simulation
Students participate in a live-action simulation where they are citizens in a newly formed dystopian society. They face difficult choices with real consequences that impact their survival and standing in the community, forcing them to consider the trade-offs inherent in dystopian systems.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Mechanics & Mayhem: Designing Dystopian Game Mechanics
Students will translate the themes and challenges of their dystopian world into concrete game mechanics. They will design rules, actions, and systems that simulate the oppressive forces, moral dilemmas, and survival strategies present in their chosen dystopia. This involves creating engaging and balanced mechanics that reflect the core elements of their world.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed description of the game mechanics, including rules, actions, and systems. This document will explain how the game mechanics simulate the challenges and moral dilemmas of living in the designed dystopia. This will also include documentation of playtesting and revisions.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.2 by explaining complex game concepts and mechanics clearly and accurately.Dystopian World-Building Blueprint
Students will begin by deeply exploring the core elements of dystopian societies. They will research and analyze existing dystopian literature, films, and real-world examples to identify common themes, characteristics, and societal structures. This activity lays the foundation for designing a compelling and believable dystopian world for their board game.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed blueprint outlining the key elements of the dystopian world, including its setting, societal structure, dominant themes, and methods of control. This blueprint will serve as the foundation for the board game design.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.3 by analyzing the development of setting and elements of a story.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioDystopian Board Game Design Rubric
Dystopian World-Building
This category assesses the depth and coherence of the dystopian world created for the board game, focusing on the integration of research, the identification of key dystopian themes, and the creation of a believable and engaging setting.Research and Analysis
The extent to which the student demonstrates a thorough understanding of dystopian societies through research and analysis of existing examples.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates extensive research and insightful analysis of multiple dystopian examples, identifying nuanced themes and societal structures.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates thorough research and clear analysis of dystopian examples, identifying key themes and societal structures.
Developing
2 PointsShows emerging research and analysis of dystopian examples, identifying some themes and societal structures.
Beginning
1 PointsShows limited research and analysis of dystopian examples, struggling to identify relevant themes and societal structures.
Setting and Structure
The clarity and coherence of the dystopian setting and societal structure created for the board game.
Exemplary
4 PointsCreates a highly detailed and original dystopian setting with a well-defined societal structure and unique elements that enhance the game's narrative and themes.
Proficient
3 PointsCreates a clear and coherent dystopian setting with a defined societal structure that supports the game's narrative and themes.
Developing
2 PointsCreates a basic dystopian setting with a partially defined societal structure, but may lack detail or coherence.
Beginning
1 PointsCreates a vague dystopian setting with a poorly defined societal structure, lacking detail and coherence.
Thematic Integration
The extent to which the dystopian themes are integrated into the setting and structure of the board game.
Exemplary
4 PointsMasterfully integrates deep and complex dystopian themes into every aspect of the setting and societal structure, creating a cohesive and thought-provoking world.
Proficient
3 PointsEffectively integrates key dystopian themes into the setting and societal structure, enhancing the game's overall message.
Developing
2 PointsShows some integration of dystopian themes into the setting and societal structure, but may be superficial or inconsistent.
Beginning
1 PointsShows limited integration of dystopian themes into the setting and societal structure, with minimal impact on the game's overall message.
Game Mechanics Design
This category assesses the creativity, functionality, and thematic relevance of the game mechanics designed for the board game.Mechanic Creativity
The originality and innovativeness of the game mechanics in simulating the challenges and dilemmas of a dystopian world.
Exemplary
4 PointsDevelops highly original and innovative game mechanics that effectively simulate the challenges and dilemmas of a dystopian world in a compelling and engaging way.
Proficient
3 PointsDevelops creative game mechanics that effectively simulate the challenges and dilemmas of a dystopian world.
Developing
2 PointsShows some creativity in game mechanics, but they may not fully simulate the challenges and dilemmas of a dystopian world.
Beginning
1 PointsShows limited creativity in game mechanics, struggling to simulate the challenges and dilemmas of a dystopian world.
Functionality and Balance
The clarity, coherence, and balance of the game mechanics and rules.
Exemplary
4 PointsCreates highly functional and well-balanced game mechanics with clear rules that are easy to understand and implement, ensuring a smooth and engaging gameplay experience.
Proficient
3 PointsCreates functional and balanced game mechanics with clear rules that are easy to understand and implement.
Developing
2 PointsGame mechanics are somewhat functional and balanced, but the rules may be unclear or difficult to implement.
Beginning
1 PointsGame mechanics are poorly functional and unbalanced, with unclear rules that are difficult to understand and implement.
Thematic Relevance
The extent to which the game mechanics reflect and reinforce the dystopian themes and societal structures of the game world.
Exemplary
4 PointsMasterfully designs game mechanics that perfectly reflect and reinforce the dystopian themes and societal structures, creating a deeply immersive and meaningful gameplay experience.
Proficient
3 PointsEffectively designs game mechanics that reflect and reinforce the dystopian themes and societal structures of the game world.
Developing
2 PointsGame mechanics somewhat reflect the dystopian themes and societal structures, but may lack depth or consistency.
Beginning
1 PointsGame mechanics poorly reflect the dystopian themes and societal structures, with minimal connection to the game world.
Presentation and Documentation
This category assesses the clarity, organization, and completeness of the documentation of the board game design, including the rules, mechanics, and dystopian elements.Clarity and Organization
The clarity and logical organization of the documentation, making it easy to understand the game's rules and mechanics.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents the documentation with exceptional clarity and logical organization, using visuals and examples to enhance understanding and accessibility.
Proficient
3 PointsPresents the documentation with clear and logical organization, making it easy to understand the game's rules and mechanics.
Developing
2 PointsDocumentation is somewhat clear and organized, but may be difficult to understand the game's rules and mechanics.
Beginning
1 PointsDocumentation is unclear and poorly organized, making it difficult to understand the game's rules and mechanics.
Completeness
The extent to which the documentation includes all necessary information about the game's rules, mechanics, and dystopian elements.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides complete and comprehensive documentation, including detailed explanations of all game rules, mechanics, and dystopian elements, leaving no room for ambiguity or confusion.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides complete documentation, including explanations of all game rules, mechanics, and dystopian elements.
Developing
2 PointsDocumentation is mostly complete, but may be missing some information about the game's rules, mechanics, or dystopian elements.
Beginning
1 PointsDocumentation is incomplete, missing significant information about the game's rules, mechanics, and dystopian elements.