Reinventing a 2000 year old Boardgame
For my 2023 Graduation capstone project, I embarked on designing a fun and approachable table-top game which introduces elements of Korean Culture to new and familiar audiences.
Players are invited to engage with the richness of Korean folklore, mythology and customs in the form of a contemporary iteration of Yutnori, a Korean boardgame over 2000 years old.
Players are invited to engage with the richness of Korean folklore, mythology and customs in the form of a contemporary iteration of Yutnori, a Korean boardgame over 2000 years old.
In the Original Yutnori, players throw yut-sticks (functions as dice) to determine the number of steps that their game pieces could move.
The first player to bring all their pieces around the game board wins.
A New Game
Goal:
Collect food offerings around the map and return home to arrange them on your Charye Table.
After all turns, whichever player arranges the most abundant Charye Table wins.
Story:
All the families are busy preparing for the festivities of Seolnal, Lunar New Year.
As you travel to collect regional speciality dishes , be weary as you may run
into spirits, animals and other competitors, all reveling in the celebration.
Yutnori is usually played on Korean traditional holidays when families can gather.
However the major custom on these holidays is Charye, where a celebratory food offering table is presented to the household’s deceased ancestors.
However the major custom on these holidays is Charye, where a celebratory food offering table is presented to the household’s deceased ancestors.
New Features
The thematic goal of collecting food for an offering table presents a new narrative to compel players to play yutnori.
I.e Chess: Capture the opposing King or Super Mario: Save the Princess.
Illustrated Scenario cards integrate folklore, mythology and customs into immersive game changing effects.
Players choose their 3D printed character tokens based on traditional members of Korean Society, each with different traits.
The regional locations of food tokens compel players to share and engage with the game material rather than seeking to win a race.
Scenario Cards
Graphic Development & Prototyping
I explored different graphic styles and tones, gradually landed on a more simplified and playful line drawn illustration style. The material quality of the cards
were an important quality to test as the game was shaping up to be a complete tactile design experience.
As I wanted the 3D token pieces to share the same design language, I wanted to emphasize a stylized geometric charm that could carry over to both.
were an important quality to test as the game was shaping up to be a complete tactile design experience.
As I wanted the 3D token pieces to share the same design language, I wanted to emphasize a stylized geometric charm that could carry over to both.
Player Tokens
Ideating different form approaches
Prototyping geometric shape language with clay
Concept designing Villager token with same design language
Unrealised Shaman and Villager playing token designs
Food Offerings
Akin to the stacking tokens in traditional yutnori, I wanted to design this theme with how player tokens can interact with these food tokens.
Stacking also conincided with my narrative theme as food offerings are iconically stacked in a balanced and ordered pattern on Charye tables.
Stacking also conincided with my narrative theme as food offerings are iconically stacked in a balanced and ordered pattern on Charye tables.
3D Printed Playing Tokens in Resin
Thin magnets were fitted under each token, allowing the player to snap and stack the food tokens for a satisfying tactile experience
Thin magnets were fitted under each token, allowing the player to snap and stack the food tokens for a satisfying tactile experience
Half-moon Ricecakes, Persimmons and fish made up the remaining tokens.
Each token would be only offered by passing through certain areas on the playing space.
Each token would be only offered by passing through certain areas on the playing space.