When you hear the term “math project”, you probably think of a boring ratio graph showing the statistics of chemical growth over time, but in PLP, things get a little more interesting. Starting this year, the PLP Grade Nine’s of Seycove got a new Scimathics teacher named Mr. Gross, who happens to love games of all sorts. In the spirit of this (and probably to peak our interest for the year), our first assigned math project was to create our own card game! Now this just doesn’t mean making solitaire with fractions and integers, but to create our very own cards, game rules, and characters in a Pokemon-style project that is sure to make math equations more fun.
My Game’s Logo
The Project
Our task was to create an original card game that demonstrated and used math equations and principles in its mechanics, to review equations and learn how math is in all card games to some degree. One thing I like about this project is how other than the requirments of including math and some of the physical aspects, we were pretty much free to do what we wanted. Because of this, I decided to make a game I have always wanted to make, M.E.C.H Wars.
This is a board/card game where you have a M.E.C.H (or Mechinized Electronic Controlled Helix), which you can move around a board and attach weapons to. Your opponent also has one and someone wins by destroying the enemy M.E.C.H.
If you want the full rules and gameplay, click here
In order to create my game, I first came up with the basic rules and gameplay. I did this by first writing down the concept of my game, then expanding on it based on criteria and points of interest. The rules went through many drafts before they were ready to be shared with the world. Next it was time to start coming up with card ideas. I decided to use a mix of pretty classic things (such as missiles and saw blades) along with some completely original and awesome inventions (such as the C.A.T Gun which is so adorable that it makes your enemies damage reduced by half). I also came up with a card base design which all my cards would use. Next, it was time to make the art. I used the app Sketches Pro and my Apple Pencil to draw original clip art for all of my cards. After that, it was time to do the non-digital aspects of the project.
Some art from my game
One of these was the board in which the game would be on. I used some plastic backing and cardboard for the base, and an original logo to put on the board. Then it was time to make the mechs themselves. I did this by taking costume foam and carving it into a cube-like shape, then painting them different colours. Finally, it was time to print my cards and a mat place for them to be kept, make a game coin and damage counters, and my game was ready to go.
Card Drafts:
What I learned/would improve next time
This project was quite fun, but also had its fair share of learning opportunities as well. One of these was learning about exponents and negative numbers, which I didn’t really understand before this. I also learned things that did not have to do with math, such as for projects like these, it’s better to narrow down a broad idea and start the project simple, then expand. I also learned about how to make a game balanced, challenging, and fun, and how in cases such as the base mechanic of a game, less is usually more. If I were to do this project again, I would simplify my cards a bit in areas like their range, and make sure that I stored my cards and game pieces better so that would not be damaged.