{"id":677,"date":"2026-04-12T16:30:41","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T16:30:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/historacle\/?p=677"},"modified":"2026-04-12T20:35:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T20:35:38","slug":"week-12-softs-preparation-and-system-refinement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/historacle\/week-12-softs-preparation-and-system-refinement\/","title":{"rendered":"Week 12 \u2013 Softs Preparation and System Refinement"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

Week 12 focused on preparing for Softs<\/strong> by refining the prototype, addressing major design challenges, and continuing iteration through playtesting and feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Playtesting and Narrative Refinement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

During Playtest Night at Hunt Library<\/strong>, the team tested the current build. While some UI elements were missing, we adapted by verbally guiding players through the tutorial<\/strong>, which still provided valuable insights. A key outcome was strong feedback from peers who asked clarifying questions and suggested ways to reframe core mechanics<\/strong> for better understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In parallel, the team revisited the narrative<\/strong>, editing for clarity and concision before further refining the tone to better reflect the style of oracle bone inscriptions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prioritization and Softs Goals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Using the established priority list<\/strong>, the team aligned on key goals for Softs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Implement a functional tutorial<\/strong> and finalize its format<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Complete UI integration and clarity improvements<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Refine core gameplay systems<\/strong> (card balance, Li Qi functionality)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Implement sound effects and music<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Integrate art assets<\/strong>, including updated bone textures and environmental details<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Finalize six narrative rounds<\/strong> with balanced outcomes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    The overarching goal was to deliver a playable, engaging, and nearly complete experience<\/strong> by the end of the week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Integration and System Challenges<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    As systems came together, several challenges emerged:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • A card overflow issue<\/strong>, where optional cards (Li Qi and sacrifices) could exceed the interface limit<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Continued difficulty explaining the Li Qi system<\/strong> clearly to players<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Bugs affecting card interaction and readability<\/strong>, particularly around selection vs. dragging<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      These issues highlighted the complexity of balancing gameplay depth with clarity<\/strong>, especially within a short, museum-oriented experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Design Iteration and Solutions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      In response, the team explored multiple solutions. One proposed direction simplified the system by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Treating questions as static prompts<\/strong> rather than cards<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Emphasizing resource management<\/strong> as the core mechanic<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Reducing cognitive load by limiting overlapping systems<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        By the end of the week, a refined approach allowed the team to retain Li Qi<\/strong> while restructuring how and when it is introduced:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        • Li Qi is introduced early and required once, then becomes optional<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Sacrifice cards are introduced later and required consistently<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Card distribution and outcomes are carefully balanced across rounds<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          To support this, the team developed a combinatorics-based balancing approach<\/strong>, mapping out all possible player states across the game to ensure:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          • Players always have a viable hand<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • The total number of cards remains manageable<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Mood and Trust outcomes create meaningful stakes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            Final Push Toward Softs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

            Alongside these system-level changes, the team continued:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n
            • Implementing UI and tutorial elements<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Improving visual and VFX feedback<\/strong> (e.g., ritual transitions, bone changes)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Fixing bugs and interaction issues<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Integrating sound design and assets<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
              \n\n\n\n

              Week 12 was a critical turning point, balancing technical integration, design clarity, and system complexity<\/strong>. By addressing core issues and refining the structure of gameplay, the team moved closer to delivering a cohesive and testable experience for Softs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              Week 12 focused on preparing for Softs by refining the prototype, addressing major design challenges, and continuing iteration through playtesting and feedback. Playtesting and Narrative Refinement During Playtest Night…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-677","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/historacle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/677","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/historacle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/historacle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/historacle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/historacle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=677"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/historacle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/677\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":732,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/historacle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/677\/revisions\/732"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/historacle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=677"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/historacle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=677"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/historacle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=677"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}