Minotaur's Labyrinth

2017

Group Leader / Game Designer /

2D Artist

Student Project

Minotaur's Labyrinth is a 4-5 player adventure board game where players take on asymmetric roles. One player assumes the role of the fearsome Minotaur, tasked with hunting down the Heroes before they can unite. The other players become Heroes, navigating a perilous labyrinth filled with monsters and treasure. The gameplay transitions from exploration and survival to a climactic showdown where the Heroes, fully geared and united, confront the Minotaur in an epic final battle. Developed during my Junior year at SCAD, this project combined role-playing game elements with strategic board game mechanics, offering a dynamic and immersive experience.

As a group leader and collaborative team member, I played a key role in designing the core mechanics, level layout, and balancing gameplay for both Heroes and the Minotaur. I also contributed to worldbuilding and player engagement, helping to shape the immersive RPG-inspired elements of the game.

Game Design:

Designed core mechanics for asymmetric gameplay, balancing two distinct player experiences: the strategic, predatory role of the Minotaur and the cooperative, exploratory roles of the Heroes.
Developed a two-phase gameplay structure, seamlessly transitioning from exploration to a climactic battle.
Integrated RPG-inspired mechanics, including player stats, character sheets, and progression systems, to enhance narrative depth and player engagement.
Created detailed rules and systems for treasure collection, monster encounters, and labyrinth traversal to ensure variety and replayability.

My Contributions

Playtesting and Iteration:

Organized and conducted multiple playtesting sessions to gather feedback on mechanics, pacing, and balance.
Iterated on mechanics and difficulty based on player feedback, refining the balance between the Minotaur and Heroes to create high-stakes gameplay.
Observed player interactions to ensure the game encouraged attachment to characters and investment in their progression.

Worldbuilding and Thematic Design:

Designed thematic elements to immerse players in the game’s setting, including naming Heroes, battling mythical creatures, and collecting treasure and equipment.
Helped establish a unique visual and tactile experience by designing the labyrinth as a 3D game board, enhancing the sense of exploration and discovery.

Team Collaboration:

Collaborated with a team of students, contributing to brainstorming, prototyping, and refining the gameplay experience.
Provided leadership in balancing competing ideas, ensuring the final design was cohesive and engaging.
Took responsibility for ensuring the team’s vision was realized through detailed mechanics and immersive design choices.

Asset Design and Production:

Contributed to the creation of game assets, including character sheets, cards, and the modular 3D labyrinth board.
Utilized dry-erase laminated character sheets to track real-time player progression, enhancing the sense of personalization and investment.

Results:

Delivered a polished, immersive board game prototype that engaged players with its dynamic gameplay and thematic depth.
Successfully balanced the complexity of asymmetric roles, creating a satisfying and memorable experience for both Minotaur and Hero players.
Gained valuable experience in team collaboration, playtesting, and iterative design, while overcoming challenges unique to creating a 3D board game.
Received positive feedback from peers and playtesters, particularly for the game’s RPG-inspired elements and innovative use of a modular 3D board.

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