A beginner friendly Pen&Paper.
Role
UI/UX Design
Print Design
Genre
Tabletop role-play game
Tools
Photoshop, InDesign
Team Size: 5
Duration
2016
3 months
Platform
Pen & Paper
This is a fully realized analog role-playing system set in a high-fantasy world. It includes an expansive setting, an introductory adventure perfect for beginners, along with character sheets and item cards to guide gameplay.
One of the key challenges was designing the introductory adventure and game mechanics to be accessible for new players, ensuring they could easily understand the rules while still enjoying a fun and challenging experience.
This also extended to the UI design—character sheets, the rule book, and playing cards needed to be intuitive and self-explanatory, so players could immerse themselves in the game without confusion.
One of the obstacles of this project was that creating a complete rule book for a tabletop RPG is an extensive task, requiring attention to numerous details across various aspects. Given the complexity of the task, producing a fully printed and playable version within such a short time frame proved to be quite demanding.
The majority of the visuals were integrated into the UI design, where I was responsible for creating the character sheets, rule book, playing cards, and maps. I ensured that the character sheets were intuitive, with clearly organized sections that offered immediate clarity for both new and experienced players. The layout can support both new and experienced players, emphasizing clarity and ease of use.
We defined the core rules and systems that govern gameplay and crafted quests and challenges that are engaging and appropriately balanced for players’ levels and abilities.
The rules underwent frequent iterations due to the complexity of the system and its interconnected subsystems. As a result, every team member played a key role in refining and fine-tuning the game mechanics.
We conducted extensive playtesting with a diverse group of participants to refine and validate the system. This iterative testing process allowed us to gather valuable feedback on the mechanics, identify any points of confusion, and ensure the game was engaging for both newcomers and experienced players. By testing regularly, we were able to make informed adjustments to improve the overall player experience, ultimately ensuring the rules were well-balanced, intuitive, and enjoyable.
The print process for this project requires detailed preparation, including layout, formatting, and ensuring everything is printer-ready. It’s time-consuming, so early planning was essential.
Considerations like color consistency, quality control, and durability must be factored in to ensure the final product is both functional and visually appealing.
Extensive experience in a specific field provides a competitive edge in competitor research.
An expert in the niche can efficiently educate the team on crucial aspects, streamlining the learning process and saving valuable time.
