Project Overview
Project Goal:
- Transform a self-written post-apocalyptic script titled “Redemption” into a highly interactive multiplayer board game that preserves the script’s tense atmosphere and internal conflicts.
- By integrating card mechanics, map design, hidden roles, and cooperative gameplay, the project enhances players’ immersion and emotional engagement.
My Role: Game Designer & Video Editor
Collaborators:
- Jiawei Shi – Document Organizer
- Jianting Liang – Card Designer & Video Editor
- Katrina Lai – Character & Map Designer
Built With:
- Figma (collaborative Design & management)
- Premiere Pro (video Editing)
- Tabletop Simulator (testing & recording)
Work Time: 2 Months (October 2024 - December 2024)
Showcase:
Redemption Script:
Project Description
Reimagining Redemption as a Board Game Escape
Escape was originally a post-apocalyptic script that follows Oliver’s struggle after a viral outbreak, depicting scarce resources, team trust issues, and harsh survival conditions. When adapting it into a board game, we focused on the following core elements:
- Betrayal vs. Teamwork
A hidden traitor is a major tension point in the script, so our game features a hidden-role system that forces players to question each other’s motives, creating a tense, uncertain atmosphere.
- Resources & Risks
The original story highlights resource scarcity and high-stakes environments. We translated this into a “Single Phase” and “Collective Phase,” with the map divided into the City, Creek, and Coast—each with unique risks and rewards.
- Nightfall & Dawnlight
Taking actions at Night increases the danger posed by the monster “FEAR” and requires players to reveal their cards. The Daytime option is safer, but yields fewer resources. This mechanic mirrors the script’s tension surrounding day and night in the post-apocalyptic setting.
A collection of products from the board game
Design Process
Event Cards
Venturing into a Post-Apocalyptic Realm: Event Cards-Single Route Cards above and Collective Route Cards below
These event cards form the backbone of the game's tension and unpredictability. Each card introduces a unique scenario—ranging from resource finds to ambushes, mutated creatures, or sabotage attempts—that compels players to adapt their strategies on the fly. Designed with distinct color themes to indicate varying degrees of danger and different times of day.
My Works
I was responsible for crafting and fine-tuning the narrative structure behind each event, ensuring it not only fits the overall storyline but also adds depth to the game’s mechanics. From ideating card concepts to writing event descriptions, I worked to embed strategic challenges that reinforce the game’s post-apocalyptic atmosphere. Additionally, I oversaw the design and testing process, balancing the cards’ effects, ultimately heightening player engagement and emotional investment.
Character Cards
Character Cards: Defining Roles, Trust, and Betrayal
Each character card represents a key role in the game, shaping player interactions and survival strategies. From the deceptive Traitor to the resilient Survivors, and the central figure Oliver, these cards influence combat abilities, alliances, and betrayals.
My Works
I designed and developed the card frames along with character-specific traits and abilities, ensuring they aligned with the game’s mechanics and narrative. I also refined role balance through extensive playtesting, making each key character impactful in both strategic depth and storytelling.
Instruction Book
Comprehensive Game Guide: Rules, Strategy, and Survival
This instruction book provides players with an in-depth understanding of game mechanics, from character roles and action cards to survival strategies and victory conditions. The layout ensures clarity in navigating the Single Phase and Collective Phase, emphasizing decision-making under pressure, hidden identities, and resource management. The guide also introduces the FEAR Mechanic, reinforcing tension through movement rules that heighten player urgency.
My Works
I structured and refined the game instruction book to align seamlessly with the game’s narrative and mechanics. I also designed the layout to ensure visual clarity and intuitive flow, making complex interactions more accessible and engaging for players, such as hidden roles and multi-phase actions.
Map
Post-Apocalyptic Game Map: A Journey Through Risk and Survival
Illustrated by Katrina, brings to life a world of scarcity and danger, where players must navigate three key zones—Abandoned City, Silent Creek, and Barren Coast—each with distinct risks and resources. Throughout the map, 12 campsites serve as critical decision points, with bonfires appearing every two camps to allow players to attack suspected traitors. Adding to the intensity, FEAR relentlessly pursues players, forcing them to strategize their movements while balancing survival and trust.
My Works
I designed the level mechanics, initial sketches, and concept, structuring how players move, interact with campsites, trigger bonfire attacks, and evade FEAR’s pursuit. My focus was on balancing risk and reward, ensuring every movement carried weight, while Katrina brought the world to life through her artwork.
Takeaways
Through this project, I honed my ability to write compelling scripts and seamlessly adapt narrative elements into engaging gameplay experiences. My skillset expanded to include level design and the construction of immersive worlds, ensuring that the storyline and mechanics worked in harmony to captivate and challenge players.
Additionally, I developed a thorough understanding of video production, leveraging various filming techniques and camera angles to bring key moments to life—both in gameplay demonstrations and promotional material. By merging narrative design, game design, and video editing expertise, I am able to create cohesive, dynamic projects that resonate with audiences and elevate the overall experience.