Survival Cease
Sprint brief: Design a game around ancient water species, using survival and interaction mechanics to create engaging play.
The Challenge
As part of a sprint, we were asked to design a game with the theme ancient water species. The first idea my team explored was UNO-style, every player got multiple species cards, and survival depended on which cards could “eat” others.
The Pivot
While working on it, I proposed a different approach. What if instead of many species, each player got just one? The twist would come from a deck of disaster cards, things like Sun Explosion or Fishing Regulation. Whenever an event card came up, players with affected species had to give up their chips. The one holding the most chips at the end would win.
The new concept worked like a kids poker game:
Each player received only 1 species card.
The game included event/disaster cards like “Sun Explosion” or “Fishing Regulation.”
Whenever such a card was revealed, players with affected species had to give up chips/coins.
The game continued until all event cards were played.
The winner was the player with the most chips left after the sequence of disasters.
Outcome
This pivot shifted the game’s energy. Suddenly, it was less about who had the strongest card and more about risk, survival, and chance.
This pivot made the game more about risk, survival, and chance than just card strength.
It demonstrated how changing rules and constraints can completely alter player engagement and strategy.
