Half Byte
Board Game Design
August 2020 | August 2023
Half Byte is a fast-paced card game that I have personally designed, developed, and playtested. This project marks my foray into board game design and has allowed me to explore a range of design tools and concepts. The game was envisioned to be not only engaging but also educational, with a focus on teaching players the fundamentals of Boolean algebra. This case study details the journey from conception to execution and shares insights from the playtesting and crowdfunding experiences.
What I did
- Board Game Design
- Playtesting
- Crowdfunding
/Introduction
Half Byte is a fast-paced card game that I have personally designed, developed, and playtested. This project marks my foray into board game design and has allowed me to explore a range of design tools and concepts. The game was envisioned to be not only engaging but also educational, with a focus on teaching players the fundamentals of Boolean algebra. This case study details the journey from conception to execution and shares insights from the playtesting and crowdfunding experiences.
Half Byte! is my first board game creation, driven by a desire to introduce an educational yet entertaining card game that simplifies Boolean algebra. Given manufacturing constraints and cost considerations, I opted for a design exclusively featuring cards. The initial prototype involved hand-drawn cards, evolving into a printed prototype created with my own resources.
/Design Process
Game Mechanics
Half Byte! is inspired by Boolean Algebra, although not all logic concepts were integrated to maintain simplicity. The game comprises a deck of cards, each featuring a unique icon for language-agnostic gameplay. The majority of text on the cards is presented in a "computer language," eliminating the need for translation.
Card Design
To make the game more accessible in different languages, all the cards has an unique icon. Most texts in the cards are “computer language” which were usually not translated.
The game features 16 "task cards," each representing a binary "number." The cards include English and hexadecimal references for clarity. The card backs are influenced by PCB board designs, enhancing the thematic appeal of the game. The card back is inspired by a PCB board.
/Mockup Rendering
/Lessons Learned
Throughout the development of Half Byte! - It's a Nybble board game, I gained crucial insights in three key areas: playtesting, Kickstarter campaign management, and design.
- Playtesting: Iterative playtesting sessions with diverse players were instrumental in refining game mechanics, ensuring engaging and accessible gameplay for a wide audience.
- Kickstarter Campaign: Planning and overseeing the Kickstarter campaign taught me the importance of meticulous preparation, effective communication with backers, and real-time monitoring to address inquiries and make necessary adjustments.
- Design Process: Crafting cards, icons, and layouts emphasized the significance of maintaining a consistent and thematic design. Utilizing tools like Adobe Dimension, Figma, Illustrator, and Blender, I prioritized universal icons to create visually appealing and globally accessible game elements.