Project ENORM. Exploring opportunities for creating unique experiences using a finite item economy

Abstract

This thesis explores the possibilities for creating unique experiences when designing a multiplayer online battle arena game, using a finite item economy. To accomplish this the team researched games implementing concepts connected to finite economies, meaning there are only a fixed amount of resources. The concepts identified as important were: unique resources, there exists only one of a specific type of resource; forced resource dropping, players are forced to lose resources on specific conditions; power scaling, characters and resources get more important as the game progress. A concept implementing these mechanics was created from the research, and from this concept a prototype was developed iteratively using agile methods. The prototype was tested through four larger tests, from which feedback the prototype was refined. The thesis covers the entire development process through a detailed week to week report on the projects progress, from the start of creating the concept to a detailed listing of the mechanics of the finished prototype. From the testing of the prototype and the study of relevant games guidelines are suggested that can be of assistance when developing games using mechanics connected to a finite economy.