Ivanhoe: Design Process
The design process is currently focused on the development of the web-based interface as an open-source software project, a visualization of play space in series of non-functional demos, rule specification, and various contributing strains of research. The game can be played in a stand-alone mode, using a single source text and annotations and commentary produced in the course of the game. Ivanhoe can be used as an interface to electronic archives and the globally integrated information environment of the World Wide Web.
Software design: Conceptualization of the game as a software interface has developed through the use of schematic models of game elements and play in Visio to make a high level outline of the entire game and of entry screens. The definition of game elements and the development of the requirements specification and design document have followed from detailed discussion. (Initials indicate primary author of each document, though the work was developed in discussion sessions of the entire research team.)
- Schematic Overview of the Game (NP)
- Entry Screens for login and other activity (NP)
- Definitions of game elements (AL)
- Requirements Specification (in process) (AL)
- Design Document (in progress) (AL)
Demo design: Creation of visual conventions for a complex electronic writing space has focused on taking advantage of screen capabilities. These demos are non-functional animations of display possibilities.
- HTML Prototype Mockup (NP)
- "Future Ivanhoe" visualizations (BN)
- Visualization Experiments (AL)
- Galaxial Metaphors (AL)
Game design: The development of current modes and models of game play for Ivanhoe is informed by game theory, but earlier rule sets were developed almost as a round of Ivanhoe in the spirit of Nomic, a game about rule making.
- Modes and Models (AL, BN, DP)
- View Modes: Marginal, Inline, and Spatial (BN)
- Model Testbed (BN)
- Ruleset
- Early Ruleset 8.10.00 (JD, JM, BN, SR)
- Draft Rules 8.27.01 (JD, JM)
- Simplified Rules 8.27.01 (JD, JM)
Visual archive of design processes:
Text Visualization: Ways of presenting text for analysis and imaginative intervention will be a crucial aspect of Ivanhoe in its final form. This presentation serves as an overview of text visualization possibilities. (GR)
Image Archive: Many sketches and visualizations of the game interface were developed and discarded in the course of game development.
- One set of sketches shows a version of Ivanhoe as a software interface. (Summer 2001 / JD)
- Diagrams for visualizations of game play are suggestions for later implementation. (Summer/Fall 2001 / JD with JJM)
- Sketches were used to develop the visual look of the electronic game space. (Fall 2001 / JD)
Interface Design: A powerpoint presentation of ideas for the interface of Ivanhoe. (Spring 2003 / JD)