Devlog (September 14, 16)

The sport that I want to analyze is basketball. It's a team sport, but it can have individual goals as well. When thinking about the design of basketball, I think there are a few constraints. Macklin and Sharp say that constraints make the experience much more fun and satisfying as well (Macklin & Sharp, Ch. 2). In basketball, a constraint is that you can't move unless you dribble. You also can't pass to yourself and you can only move your pivot foot. I think the book is correct because constraints make the game much more satisfying in order to score. 

Goal is the next tool I want to address. In the text book, it states that soccer has a strong goal (Macklin & Sharp, Ch.2). I believe that it is similar to basketball because the goal is to score a basket. They have both have strong and quantifiable goals. I think having a strong goal makes the sport fun. When people are playing basketball, they know what their end goal is and that gives it purpose. Most sports have to have a strong goal or it just won't work. 

The next tool that basketball has a lot to do with, is challenge. In the section that talks about challenge, it generally says that every single game has challenges and sometimes it's made by the players (Macklin & Sharp, Ch.2). In basketball, I think the challenge comes from the opposing team guarding you. Instead of dribbling up to the basket and scoring, you have to deal with a defender. I believe the challenge keeps the game from being boring and it makes the game exciting. The pace of the game would change so much if people were not being defended, while playing the game.

Skill is a tool that matters a lot in a sport like basketball and it's design. The book even mentions that basketball is a good example of a sport that takes skill and strategy. The game also contains a lot of uncertainty (Macklin & Sharp, Ch.2). People that are good at dribbling and shooting, have an advantage in basketball. Uncertainty can also take place from injury or someone just simply making a mistake.