Monsieur Polo is a modern twist on the traditional folk game Marco Polo. In a presentation for my 3D Interaction class, I propose a clear final vision of this game informed by the design principles I defined from my earlier research.

1. proudly presents
Die Gute Frabrik

2. ALLISON LEACH 3D IX CLASS CALIFORNIA COLLEGE OF THE ARTS FALL 2012ALLISON LEACH 3D IX CLASS CALIFORNIA COLLEGE OF THE ARTS FALL 2012
Monsieur Polo®
ALLISON LEACH CALIFORNIA COLLEGE OF THE ARTS FALL 2012

3. Social urban dwellers who are
looking to play an outdoor game
with new people
A mobile Indie Folk game for
smartphones in 3 parts:
WHAT
WHO
The Monsieur Polo Game®
Social urban dwellers who are
looking to play an outdoor game
with new people
MONSIEUR POLO GUIDE
SMARTPHONE APPLICATION
ONLINE COMMUNITY
1
2
3

4. Any open city space:
a courtyard, a park, a plaza
WHERE
WHEN
The Monsieur Polo Game®
Day or night, whenever time is
ample and spirits are high
3

5. Opportunity

6. Design opportunity
107.4 million Americans* use walking as a regular
mode of travel.
People walk more for social, recreation, and trip
purposes than for work purposes.
Although adults may schedule the occasional
game night or sports match on weekends, the
spontaneous play of childhood has disappeared.
*Source: http://www.walkinginfo.org
ON THE STREET
FORGOTTEN PLAY

7. Research

8. “I enjoys the game to get out of the house, sweat a little,
enjoy fresh air and get some sun.”
Board Game Player
NOAH
Volleyball Player
MARK
Joust Game Developer
DOUG
Video Gamer
DANNEL
“Games can function as a bonding experience for friends and
also as a forum for new social interactions as an icebreaker"
“Most digital games involve staring at a screen, but
with Joust players look at one another, creating a sort of
cognitive dissonance"
“My favorite game is Joust because it magically combines
people looking silly and hours of fun"

9. “I enjoys the game to get out of the house, sweat a little,
enjoy fresh air and get some sun.”
Board Game Player
NOAH
Volleyball Player
MARK
Joust Game Developer
DOUG
Video Gamer
DANNEL
“Games can function as a bonding experience for friends and
also as a forum for new social interactions as an icebreaker"
“Most digital games involve staring at a screen, but
with Joust players look at one another, creating a sort of
cognitive dissonance"
“My favorite game is Joust because it magically combines
people looking silly and hours of fun"

10. Social Explorer Tech GamerSafe Spectator Fresh-air Athlete
Finds novel experiences
and new people
rejuvenating
Needs downtime from
screen technology
after a long work
week
Always on top of the
latest and greatest in
gaming technology
Prefers games with a
digital component
Prefers to keep some
distance from the
game
Enjoys the spectacle
of watching
strangers play
Seeks physical activity
and fresh air
Desires a good sweat
and an activity
with strategy and
socializing
Research personas

11. Complex rules
High social cost of
embarrassment
Crowded location
Busy day
Difficult set-up
Not enough structure
Too lengthy
Fun but no room
for hacking
Simple & fun core
Audibly and visually
compelling from
a distance
permeableobstacle-ridden
off-putting
alluring
Meaningful impact
on non-players
Research insights

12. Design

13. Product design
Portable and simple to set up
Compelling from a distance
Fun and easy to learn
Focus is on players
& social interactions
Flexible game structure
GAME PRINCIPLES

14. Mobile and sharable
Game requires silly behavior
Modeled after traditional folk game
Online community
Players’ performance fascinates
more than digital experience
DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Product design

15. Store
Web
Outside
A
B
C
Customer Journey: discovery, play connect

16. Store
Web
Outside
A
B
C
buy gear
buy gear
download app
download app
check-in
check-in
notified
notified
play
play
play
web connect
web connect
web connectdownload app join existing game
Customer Journey: discovery, play connect

17. II. Monsieur Polo Guide
III. Instruction manual
IN THE BOX
Inside the box...
Congratulations!
your code is:
nxkfn7jh3pw
find monsieur
players online
&
make new friends
Visit
www.mpolo.com
Shhh... Top Secret!
don’t make noise
go to bed early
never trust friends
everybody loses
getting lost is hard
Marco’s Tips

18. speaker in top funnel
band wraps around hand
vibrating
sensors
embedded in
rubber grip
led lights activate
during game
hand molded
for a natural
fit
Form and Function
NETWORKED
Each Monsieur player
syncs his or her phone
with the guide wirelessly
SIMPLE
Guide communicates
on its own, requiring no
further set-up
MOBILE
Compact size, dual
speaker function,
durable rubber & metal
material encourage
on-the-go action

19. bluetooth
signal
wireless broadband Cellphone
Network
Form and Function: network

20. The Monsieur Polo Game
®
MONSIEUR
GUIDE
1
A GPS-enabled
hand-held
game piece that
communicates via
bluetooth with
the Monsieur
Polo smartphone
application.
LED lights and
vibrating grip
sensors provide
real-time feedback
during the game.
Enhances game,
but is not required
to play.

21. At night, the
Guide’s lights
are visually
compelling
from a
distance...

22. The Monsieur Polo Game
®
SMARTPHONE
APPLICATION
2
The Monsieur Polo
app lets players
start or join a game,
and monitors the
game’s progress.
Players can check
their score, invite
friends, and even
capture a live
stream of the game.
For players without
the Guide, the app
enables the phone
to function as a
lower-res Guide.

23. The Monsieur Polo Game
®
SMARTPHONE
APPLICATION
2
The Monsieur Polo
app lets players
start or join a game,
and monitors the
game’s progress.
Players can check
their score, invite
friends, and even
capture a live
stream of the game.
For players without
the Guide, the app
enables the phone
to function as a
lower-res Guide.

24. The Monsieur Polo Game
®
ONLINE
COMMUNITY
3
On the Monsieur
Polo website,
players can connect
with other players.
games, post past
games, learn tips
and tricks, and see
top scores.

25. Thank You
allison leach
©2012