Scenario Design
The rules for the Black Box are only one portion of the experience that makes up the game. The scenarios, or the settings which the rules are used in, are just as important.
Over the course of playtesting, I have created 5 scenarios and a system for running them which allows for a well-paced, player-driven game. While the purpose of this case-study is not to show off any specific scenarios or the design system behind them, I will highlight two of the biggest innovations in my scenario design journey.
The ACT System
Each scenario is split up into 5 different ACTs and an Epilogue, similar to how many horror movies are structured. The setting changes and evolves as the ACTs progress, and the monster will become increasingly aggressive.
The ACT system allows for a dynamic world which can change even without cultist intervention and thus push the story forward as needed. It also signals to the Shaman when tension should naturally rise and fall.
Triggers & Levers
Within the ACT system are built-in Triggers and Levers. These are tools that the Shaman can interact with to help move the story forward and enter into a new ACT.
Triggers are activated by the victims if they perform specific pre-defined tasks (they do not know what these tasks are). Once a Trigger is activated, an ACT ending is initiated, and a new ACT begins.
Levers are activated by the Shaman if the ACT is dragging on or if something climactic has just happened. Once a Lever is ‘pulled‘, the Shaman describes a change in the scene that initiates an ACT ending and begins a new ACT.
Over the course of playtesting, I have created 5 scenarios and a system for running them which allows for a well-paced, player-driven game. While the purpose of this case-study is not to show off any specific scenarios or the design system behind them, I will highlight two of the biggest innovations in my scenario design journey.
The ACT System
Each scenario is split up into 5 different ACTs and an Epilogue, similar to how many horror movies are structured. The setting changes and evolves as the ACTs progress, and the monster will become increasingly aggressive. The ACT system allows for a dynamic world which can change even without cultist intervention and thus push the story forward as needed. It also signals to the Shaman when tension should naturally rise and fall.
Triggers & Levers
Within the ACT system are built-in Triggers and Levers. These are tools that the Shaman can interact with to help move the story forward and enter into a new ACT. Triggers are activated by the victims if they perform specific pre-defined tasks (they do not know what these tasks are). Once a Trigger is activated, an ACT ending is initiated, and a new ACT begins.
Levers are activated by the Shaman if the ACT is dragging on or if something climactic has just happened. Once a Lever is ‘pulled‘, the Shaman describes a change in the scene that initiates an ACT ending and begins a new ACT.