Jeffrey Douthwright

Pamela Thompson

Education Game Design

October 26, 2018

Walden Reflection

1. In what way, which is unique, did the game designers use the visual aspect of the game

Walden to control the general "emotional response of the player"?

The game designers made a unique experience by basing most of the area around the original

Walden; from plant life to animal activity, the designers tried their best to replicate the key

aspects of the wildlife around the area. Not to mention, the breathtaking views and areas that

you can find in the game can be emotional to player and their experience, memorizing almost.

2. What did the design team do to create an authentic setting for the game in terms of color,

style, animals, plants, and time period?  Be specific in your answer.

The game was designed to as accurate as they could be, all the way down to major plants and

animals in the area. The area was limited to a small section between both roads on the sides on

Walden, along with different landscape break offs in the north and south. Also, the game is time

sensitive, cycling through the seasons—which does affect the plant life in the area. The style and

color will then depend on the season, giving the usual vibes that each season has.
 3. In what ways did the design team use “sounds" in the creation of Walden.

The design team brought in a sound designer who used several realistic sounds and noises in the

game. The goal was to achieve a more realistic experience. The trailer they show has a strong

sound system and music in the game to help drive the experience of playing the game. As I

watched and listened to the video, the sound I thought was well put together, and brings a good

feeling of escape and adventure.

4. What kinds of life choices did the designers allow for the players to play the game?

The designers allowed for the game to continue past Thoreau’s experience in Walden, allowing

more experience past the 2 years Thoreau had noted and experienced. The game is also opened

to contact outside of Walden with other life or civilization. Although you would benefit from

these interactions personally, your time and ephemeral tasks in Walden would diminish quickly,

leaving you with little time in the to explore more and experience what Thoreau experiences,

diminishing the purpose of the game.

5. At the close of the talk, the speaker takes questions from the audience.  What would your

question be for her?  Why would you ask that question? 

One of my questions to her would be, “Would you hope to see this game, or similar games, be in

schools teaching children sometime in the future?” I would ask this as the game seems very

informative about not only Thoreau’s experience, but it also teaches about the concept of self-

dependence and self-exploration. Narratives and texts throughout the school system pop up, and

some have great meanings and underlying ideas, but I feel Walden is something rarely brought

up in our school system and this game could change the ballgame completely if it ever wanted to

compete with books like Into the Wild.