As part of my studies, I co-developed “Leben, Lernen & Leiden” (ger. “Live, Learn & Suffer), a dynamic card game that simulates the challenges and chaos of living in a shared flat. Inspired by personal experiences and games like “Agricola” and “Hanabi,” the design centers on balancing responsibilities and resources while negotiating with fellow players. My primary contributions included conceptualizing the game mechanics, ensuring balanced gameplay, and createing the visual design for the diverse cards and materials used throughout. I helped refine the game’s core loop of resource management, negotiation, and strategic planning, which culminates in achieving the highest “education” score without sacrificing too much “happiness”.

A key part of my role was fine-tuning the balance of joy and challenge within the game. Through iterative testing and player feedback, I optimized card effects and interactions to maintain a fun yet competitive atmosphere. Each element, from the penalties of ignoring tasks to the rewards for acquiring strategic furniture, reflects careful attention to player experience. This project not only enhanced my skills in game balancing and design iteration but also demonstrated the importance of player feedback in creating an enjoyable and polished game, be it digital or analog.