Spring 2024

DnD Trivia Night

Immerse in Purdue Dungeons & Dragons | Create Trivia Night within the Purdue D&D Discord Server

Spring 2024

DnD Trivia Night

Immerse in Purdue Dungeons & Dragons | Create Trivia Night within the Purdue D&D Discord Server

D&D Trivia Night
Case Study

When high school students transition into college,
they tend to seek out friends through clubs or
classes, in-person and virtually.

As such, the COVID-19 pandemic caused
the switch to a hybrid environment through
apps like Discord.

Purdue students adapted,
particularly in the Dungeons
of Purdue club, which hosts D&D games for
students from all walks of life.

But how do these students, these newcomers,
participate in Purdue D&D for the long-run?

D&D Trivia Night
Case Study

When high school students transition into college,
they tend to seek out friends through clubs or
classes, in-person and virtually.

As such, the COVID-19 pandemic caused the switch to a hybrid environment.

Purdue students adapted,
particularly in the Dungeons
of Purdue club, which hosts D&D games for students from all walks of life.

But how do these students, these newcomers, participate in Purdue D&D for the long-run?

D&D Trivia Night
Case Study

When high school students transition into college,
they tend to seek out friends through clubs or
classes, in-person and virtually.

As such, the COVID-19 pandemic caused the switch to a hybrid environment.

Purdue students adapted,
particularly in the Dungeons
of Purdue club, which hosts D&D games for students from all walks of life.

But how do these students, these newcomers, participate in Purdue D&D for the long-run?


Deliverables
Mid-fi Wireframes
Handoff Document
Mid-fi Mockup Demo
Slide Deck





Tools
Miro
Figma
Google Docs

Deliverables
Mid-fi Wireframes
Handoff Document
Mid-fi Mockup Demo
Slide Deck

Tools
Miro
Figma
Google Docs

Dungeons of Purdue

Overview

Approach

Activities

Walkthrough

Overview

Approach

Activities

Walkthrough

Overview

Approach

Activities

Walkthrough

Overview

Purdue University hosts the Dungeons of Purdue club where newcomers and seasoned
players alike join game campaigns during the Fall and Spring semesters. In particular,
newcomers participating in these campaigns have a difficult time

bonding with their fellow players, especially when they are meeting each other

for the first time in real life and the campaign.

According to a 1996 psychology study on group composition and decision making,

"groups composed of members who are familiar with one another are likely to differ

form groups of unfamiliar members along three theoretical dimensions: interpersonal

knowledge, interpersonal attraction, and member diversity"(Deborah H Gruenfeld,

Elizabeth A. Mannix, Katherine Y. Williams, Margaret A. Neale).

I seek to understand how and why Purdue D&D newcomers struggle to bond with other
players, and how players with strong familiarity create more immersive and entertaining
game campaigns.

Overview

Purdue University hosts the Dungeons of Purdue club where newcomers and seasoned players alike join game campaigns during the Fall and Spring semesters. In particular,
newcomers participating in these campaigns have a difficult time

bonding with their fellow players, especially when they are meeting each other for the first time in real life and the campaign.

According to a 1996 psychology study on group composition and decision making, "groups composed of members who are familiar with one another are likely to differ form groups of unfamiliar members along three theoretical dimensions: interpersonal

knowledge, interpersonal attraction, and member diversity"(Deborah H Gruenfeld, Elizabeth A. Mannix,, Katherine Y. Williams, Margaret A. Neale).

I sought to understand how and why Purdue D&D newcomers struggle to bond with other players, and how players with strong familiarity create more immersive and entertaining game campaigns.

Overview

Purdue University hosts the Dungeons of Purdue club where newcomers and seasoned players alike join game campaigns during the Fall and Spring semesters. In particular,
newcomers participating in these campaigns have a difficult time

bonding with their fellow players, especially when they are meeting each other for the first time in real life and the campaign.

According to a 1996 psychology study on group composition and decision making, "groups composed of members who are familiar with one another are likely to differ form groups of unfamiliar members along three theoretical dimensions: interpersonal

knowledge, interpersonal attraction, and member diversity"(Deborah H Gruenfeld, Elizabeth A. Mannix,, Katherine Y. Williams, Margaret A. Neale).

I sought to understand how and why Purdue D&D newcomers struggle to bond with other players, and how players with strong familiarity create more immersive and entertaining game campaigns.

Summer 2023


Summer 2023

Approach

Main Project Goal

Create a bonding activity that helps Purdue D&D newcomers grow their confidence alongside fellow players for better game campaigns

Contribution

  1. Design documentation

  1. Interactive Purdue D&D Trivia Night demo

Main Project Goal

Envision a group bonding activity that helps Purdue D&D newcomers grow their confidence in D&D alongside their fellow players for better quality game campaigns

Contribution

  1. Drafted design documentation

  1. Prototyped an interactive Purdue D&D Trivia Night demo

Exploring the Dungeons of Purdue Club


Context

I found myself needing a better understanding of how Purdue Dungeons and Dragons operates. Therefore, I joined the Dungeons of Purdue Discord server and found an open group through a channel named group-finding-spreadsheet.


When I joined, I got access to the main club's discussions within the server, but also a separate campaign group's discussions. Upon engaging in a few of these channels and discussions, I found myself pondering a few questions/issues:


  1. How does the club help newcomers participate in Purdue Dungeons and Dragons?

  2. How do newcomers get more comfortable with other players?

  3. How will they continue playing with the same group long-term?


Outcome

When I joined the separate campaign group's discussions, I joined their individual server outside the club's main server to experience it for myself as a new player and UX designer.


From that opportunity, I could observe their group dynamics as well as how I was feeling about certain aspects/gameplay/struggles during each game session.


Exploring the Dungeons of Purdue Club


Context

I found myself needing a better understanding of how Purdue Dungeons and Dragons operates. Therefore, I joined the Dungeons of Purdue Discord server and found an open group through a channel named group-finding-spreadsheet.


When I joined, I got access to the main club's discussions within the server, but also a separate campaign group's discussions. Upon engaging in a few of these channels and discussions, I found myself pondering a few questions/issues:


  1. How does the club help newcomers participate in Purdue Dungeons and Dragons?

  2. How do newcomers get more comfortable with other players?

  3. How will they continue playing with the same group long-term?





















Outcome

When I joined the separate campaign group's discussions, I joined their individual server outside the club's main server to experience it for myself as a new player and UX designer.


From that opportunity, I could observe their group dynamics as well as how I was feeling about certain aspects/gameplay/struggles during each game session.


How does the club help newcomers participate in Purdue D&D?
My investigation began with my first game session, there I conducted three important design activities:

  • Contextual Inquiry During 1st Game Session

    Goal
    Immerse myself in a typical D&D game session and ask questions purely about how to participate effectively during these weekly sessions

    Outcome
    Talking with other players while learning a game proved quite a challenge, but I began to strategize and participate with the help of these players' knowledge

  • Journaling on Google Docs

    Goal
    Keep a written record of my thoughts and actions during game sessions to better understand how I view D&D at Purdue


    Outcome
    Documenting my thoughts & reactions helped gauge where I was experiencing confusion during a game session, which happened to be my apprehension with acceptable player actions

  • Decision Tree Diagram

    Goal
    List out the character sheet in a logic diagram to illustrate an outsider's choices within the current D&D system


    Outcome
    Mapping out character choices helped illustrate the complex mechanisms at play, as well as demonstrating perspective on activities that happen throughout a D&D campaign

  • Contextual Inquiry During 1st Game Session

    Goal
    Immerse myself in a typical D&D game session and ask questions purely about how to participate effectively during these weekly sessions

    Outcome
    Talking with other players while learning a game proved quite a challenge, but I began to strategize and participate with the help of these players' knowledge

  • Journaling on Google Docs

    Goal
    Keep a written record of my thoughts and actions during game sessions to better understand how I view D&D at Purdue


    Outcome
    Documenting my thoughts & reactions helped gauge where I was experiencing confusion during a game session, which happened to be my apprehension with acceptable player actions

  • Decision Tree Diagram

    Goal
    List out the character sheet in a logic diagram to illustrate an outsider's choices within the current D&D system


    Outcome
    Mapping out character choices helped illustrate the complex mechanisms at play, as well as demonstrating perspective on activities that happen throughout a D&D campaign

  • Contextual Inquiry During 1st Game Session

    Goal
    Immerse myself in a typical D&D game session and ask questions purely about how to participate effectively during these weekly sessions

    Outcome
    Talking with other players while learning a game proved quite a challenge, but I began to strategize and participate with the help of these players' knowledge

  • Journaling on Google Docs

    Goal
    Keep a written record of my thoughts and actions during game sessions to better understand how I view D&D at Purdue


    Outcome
    Documenting my thoughts & reactions helped gauge where I was experiencing confusion during a game session, which happened to be my apprehension with acceptable player actions

  • Decision Tree Diagram

    Goal
    List out the character sheet in a logic diagram to illustrate an outsider's choices within the current D&D system


    Outcome
    Mapping out character choices helped illustrate the complex mechanisms at play, as well as demonstrating perspective on activities that happen throughout a D&D campaign

View Miro Board Activities

View Miro Board Activities

View Miro Board Activities

View Miro Board Activities


The game got easier in spite of these activities, but why?

Player-to-Player Mentorship
Mentor/Mentee Relationships
After participating in a D&D campaign for 5+ sessions, I found myself in mentor/mentee relationships with my fellow players

Mentee Benefits

Mentees Learn Quicker When
Shown The Ropes

Mentees have a better attitude, understanding, and game performance when watching a mentor navigate the game (SCT, Bandura, 1994)

Mentor Benefits

Mentors Want to Share Knowledge
With New Players

Most mentors have prosocial personalities and are role models, which motivates them to help others satisfy their needs (Allen,
2003)

Most mentors have prosocial personalities and are role models, motivated to help others satisfy their
needs
(Allen,
2003)

Mentees Learn Quicker When
Shown The Ropes

Mentees have a better attitude, understanding, and game performance when watching a mentor navigate the game (SCT, Bandura, 1994)

Mentors Want to Share Knowledge
With New Players

Most mentors have prosocial personalities and are role models, motivated to help others satisfy their needs
(Allen, 2003)

How do newcomers get more comfortable with other players?
Before each game session, I decided to roam around both the Dungeons of Purdue server as well as my game group's campaign server
for any events/activities to expand my knowledge and get to know other Purdue D&D players better.

Activities
1. Conducted individual interviews with Purdue D&D players in Dungeons of Purdue and outside of the club
2. Mapped Purdue D&D journeys during their game sessions
3. Sketched potential events/activities tailored to individual D&D groups

  • Purdue D&D Player Interviews

    Goal
    Understand Purdue D&D player needs & experiences within the current system, whether this be involved with gameplay or their fellow players during each game session

    Outcome
    Speaking with Purdue D&D players in the club & outside it helped me determine what gaps exist for both groups in the current system

  • Purdue D&D Newcomer Journey

    Goal
    Lay out the five major stages of Purdue D&D Newcomers participating in weekly game sessions to find design opportunities/pain points

    Outcome
    The most adaptable stage of the Purdue D&D journey would be Enter/Engage, as this is where players of all skill levels interact initially, without jargon & confusion

  • Attend D&D Group Activities

    Goal
    Evaluate player's needs and reactions at the start of a game, and implement group activities that could foster more immersion and stronger group bonds

    Outcome
    I needed to visualize a group's needs/wants. D&D can be more fun when you get to know your fellow players outside of the game

  • Purdue D&D Player Interviews

    Goal
    Understand Purdue D&D player needs & experiences within the current system, whether this be involved with gameplay or their fellow players during each game session

    Outcome
    Speaking with Purdue D&D players in the club & outside it helped me determine what gaps exist for both groups in the current system

  • Purdue D&D Newcomer Journey

    Goal
    Lay out the five major stages of Purdue D&D Newcomers participating in weekly game sessions to find design opportunities/pain points

    Outcome
    The most adaptable stage of the Purdue D&D journey would be Enter/Engage, as this is where players of all skill levels interact initially, without jargon & confusion

  • Attend D&D Group Activities

    Goal
    Evaluate player's needs and reactions at the start of a game, and implement group activities that could foster more immersion and stronger group bonds

    Outcome
    I needed to visualize a group's needs/wants. D&D can be more fun when you get to know your fellow players outside of the game

  • Purdue D&D Player Interviews

    Goal
    Understand Purdue D&D player needs & experiences within the current system, whether this be involved with gameplay or their fellow players during each game session

    Outcome
    Speaking with Purdue D&D players in the club & outside it helped me determine what gaps exist for both groups in the current system

  • Purdue D&D Newcomer Journey

    Goal
    Lay out the five major stages of Purdue D&D Newcomers participating in weekly game sessions to find design opportunities/pain points

    Outcome
    The most adaptable stage of the Purdue D&D journey would be Enter/Engage, as this is where players of all skill levels interact initially, without jargon & confusion

  • Attend D&D Group Activities

    Goal
    Evaluate player's needs and reactions at the start of a game, and implement group activities that could foster more immersion and stronger group bonds

    Outcome
    I needed to visualize a group's needs/wants. D&D can be more fun when you get to know your fellow players outside of the game


I witnessed player-hosted events, but why do they work?

Group Bonding
How does it work?
While participating in a D&D campaign and reviewing scholarly articles
on how newcomers acclimate to Dungeons and Dragons,
I found that newcomers socialized better when they explore D&D
outside of their game campaign (Giordano, M. J. 2022)

Examples

  • HeroForge

    Why is it necessary?
    No matter what the event/activity is, newcomers need something
    to break the ice.

  • Quick D&D Session with Temporary Characters

    Otherwise…
    they are more likely to lose interest
    and abandon the group and game altogether


How did I arrive at activities such as trivia night and painting figurines?

ChatGPT 3.5

Goal
Evaluate player's needs and reactions to Session 0, and implement group activities that could help foster a stronger sense of immersion and friendship while involving D&D tropes and themes

Outcome
Dungeons & Dragons is unique for every player/group, meaning my sketches needed to allow flow and content adjustments tailored to each group's needs/wants


I witnessed player-hosted events, but why do they work?

Group Bonding
How does it work?
While participating in a D&D campaign and reviewing scholarly articles
on how newcomers acclimate to Dungeons and Dragons,
I found that newcomers socialized better when they explore D&D
outside of their game campaign (Giordano, M. J. 2022)

HeroForge

Why is it necessary?
No matter what the event/activity is, newcomers need something
to break the ice.

Quick D&D Session with Temporary Characters

Otherwise…
they are more likely to lose interest
and abandon the group and game altogether


How did I arrive at activities such as trivia night and painting figurines?

ChatGPT 3.5

Goal
Brainstorm activities that would help bond players together quicker,
directly impacting the sociability traits of players,
not their gameplay traits (Giordano, M. J. 2022)

Prompts
These prompts guide ChatGPT 3.5 bot to brainstorm activities:

"how to facilitate mentorship activities for newcomers and game masters
playing Dungeons and Dragons at Purdue(OpenAI, 2024)?"

"Generate some ideas to help new and experienced D&D players bond without making them read extensively
while immersing them outside of game sessions(OpenAI, 2024)."

Prompts
These prompts guide ChatGPT 3.5 bot to brainstorm activities:

"how to facilitate mentorship activities for newcomers and game masters
playing Dungeons and Dragons at Purdue(OpenAI, 2024)?"

"Generate some ideas to help new and experienced D&D players bond without making them read extensively
while immersing them outside of game sessions(OpenAI, 2024)."

  • Goal
    Brainstorm activities that would help bond players together quicker,
    directly impacting the sociability traits of players,
    not their gameplay traits (Giordano, M. J. 2022)

  • Prompts
    These prompts guide ChatGPT 3.5 bot to brainstorm activities:

    "how to facilitate mentorship activities for newcomers and game masters
    playing Dungeons and Dragons at Purdue(OpenAI, 2024)?"

    "Generate some ideas to help new and experienced D&D players bond without making them read extensively
    while immersing them outside of game sessions(OpenAI, 2024)."

Outcome
ChatGPT 3.5 generated 4 group mentorship activities

  • Character
    Workshop

  • Miniature Painting

  • Trivia
    Night

  • Storytelling
    Circle

Character
Workshop

Miniature Painting

Trivia
Night

Storytelling
Circle

How will they continue playing with the same group?
After I completed my fifth game session with my group, I wondered how it was easy for me
to stay engaged?

Player Chemistry

Outcome
Like with mentoring, player chemistry happens naturally in the sense that players are required to socialize in order to play D&D

How exactly does it help?

It lays the foundation for a more realized group through
immersion & collaboration

-Purdue Game Master

-Purdue D&D Player

-Purdue Game Master

Player Chemistry = Key to Enjoyable D&D Experiences

  • Deborah H Gruenfeld et al 1996

    "Immersion can be enhanced by group chemistry and rich storytelling"

  • Spangler 2021

    "TV shows and movies are the main source for players needing inspiration for their characters within their game sessions, which leads to bonding over said shows and movies"

  • Bowman, S. L. 2010

    "Despite the stigma attached to adult pretend play, players cite benefits to the leisure activity, including community building, problem solving, identity exploration;"

  • Deborah H Gruenfeld et al 1996

    "Immersion can be enhanced by group chemistry and rich storytelling"

  • Spangler 2021

    "TV shows and movies are the main source for players needing inspiration for their characters within their game sessions, which leads to bonding over said shows and movies"

  • Bowman, S. L. 2010

    "Despite the stigma attached to adult pretend play, players cite benefits to the leisure activity, including community building, problem solving, identity exploration;"

Outcome
Players need to socialize and vibe with one another, otherwise the game will not be enticing enough to continue

Lessons from the project…

Working on a solo project requires more immediate feedback
As I undertook this capstone project, this was the first time I was working entirely alone on my activities and deliverables. On one hand, it helped me have more creative freedom & agency over my work and motivation, but it also taught me that I need to speak up/ask for feedback, even when I am making good progress through my evidence-based decision-making.

There are some tasks that do not need more than 1 person, but for an entire project, one needs the humility to ask for help. This helps designers build the habit of gaining new perspectives/insights into their own project and allows them to "push the boundaries" of user-centered design.

Making impact can be as simple as talking with users

One thing that astounded me throughout this project were the Purdue students I talked with. Although I have met plenty of Boilermakers in my four years, I never thought I would be bonding with Purdue D&D players from all different majors/disciplines.

Their mentorship and inclusive environment helped me venture into the world of Dungeons and Dragons while also getting to know each and every one of my fellow players' personalities. This allowed me to crack jokes, build my confidence through emulating the other players' actions, and just have a hell of a time while designing in the space.



Lessons from the project…

Working on a solo project requires more immediate feedback
As I undertook this capstone project, this was the first time I was working entirely alone on my activities and deliverables. On one hand, it helped me have more creative freedom & agency over my work and motivation, but it also taught me that I need to speak up/ask for feedback, even when I am making good progress through my evidence-based decision-making.

There are some tasks that do not need more than 1 person, but for an entire project, one needs the humility to ask for help. This helps designers build the habit of gaining new perspectives/insights into their own project and allows them to "push the boundaries" of user-centered design.

Making impact can be as simple as talking with users

One thing that astounded me throughout this project were the Purdue students I talked with. Although I have met plenty of Boilermakers in my four years, I never thought I would be bonding with Purdue D&D players from all different majors/disciplines.

Their mentorship and inclusive environment helped me venture into the world of Dungeons and Dragons while also getting to know each and every one of my fellow players' personalities. This allowed me to crack jokes, build my confidence through emulating the other players' actions, and just have a hell of a time while designing in the space.



Walkthrough
Purdue D&D newcomers need a familiar environment to start bonding, which will be best
accomplished by participating in a familiar app with familiar activities.
Enter Discord Voice Chat Activities

Walkthrough
Purdue D&D Newcomers need a familiar environment to start bonding, which will be best
accomplished by participating in a familiar app with familiar activities.

Enter Discord Voice Chat Activities

Walkthrough
Purdue D&D Newcomers need a familiar environment to start bonding, which will be best
accomplished by participating in a familiar app with familiar activities.

Enter Discord Voice Chat Activities

They use the community-based app for communicating with other members, who host
events in-person.

Adding an online activity for newcomers who might be shy or
playing with strangers at Purdue will help boost their confidence by extending
their current Discord usage with other members.

They use the community-based app for communicating with other members, who host events in-person.

Adding an online activity for newcomers who might be shy or playing with strangers at Purdue will help boost their confidence by extending their current Discord usage with other members.

They use the community-based app for communicating with other members, who host events in-person.

Adding an online activity for newcomers who might be shy or playing with strangers at Purdue will help boost their confidence by extending their current Discord usage with other members.

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