Game Studies / Exercises 2:Non-digital to digital

Game Studies Exercises  2: Non-digital to digital - Evolution and remediating this game (from tabletop to video game)

Starting from 12.2024

4.2025 -8.2025 / Week 1 - Week 14

Ge Xianjing / 0377636

Game Studies / Interactive Space Design

Exercise 2
From Tabletop to Touchscreen: Why You Shouldn't Miss the Digital Version of Werewolf

  If you're into deduction, bluffing, and the occasional dramatic betrayal — Werewolf is probably already on your radar. But what happens when this classic social game goes digital? Does it lose its charm… or unlock a whole new level of fun? Let’s dive in!

• Comparison between the 2D and 3D versions of "Among Us":

1. 🌟 2D Graphics: The 2D version of "Among Us" rocks an overhead perspective! The graphics are as flat as a pancake 🥞, and the characters are those super cute, simple cartoonish avatars. The scenes? All built with 2D graphics, like the spaceship's rooms laid out in a neat, flat plan. It's like looking at a fun space comic strip! 🎨
2. ✨ 3D Graphics: Hold onto your seats! The 3D version of "Among Us" switches things up with either a first-person or third-person view. Suddenly, the characters pop out, all three - dimensional and full of life 👾! And the spaceship? It's a whole new world! Every nook and cranny, from the twisty pipeline system to the shiny high-tech gadgets, is detailed to the max. You'll feel like you've actually blasted off into space 🪐

 

1. My First Game of Werewolf — I Got Voted Out Immediately

  Yep. That’s Werewolf for you — speak the truth too clearly, and you’re the first to go. From playing with friends in dorm rooms and classrooms, to launching games from your phone with strangers across the country, this game has become a social ritual for many.

Quick Recap of the Rules:

• Each player gets a hidden role (Werewolf, Villager, Seer, Witch, Hunter, etc.);

• During night phase, special roles take action secretly;

• During day phase, players discuss and vote out suspects;

• The goal? Werewolves eliminate all others, or villagers survive long enough to outsmart the wolves.

2. So… Is the Digital Version Actually Better?

• No More Needing a Moderator

Remember that one friend who always had to be the host?

Digital versions solve this with auto-hosting — the app handles turns, actions, and votes so everyone can focus on playing and lying beautifully.

•  Play Anytime, Anywhere

On the subway? Sneak in a few “Quick Games.”

Late night? Join a “Logic Room” and test your persuasion skills.

Want to relive the drama with friends? Host a private voice room and go wild.

3. Digital vs. In-Person: What Changes?

Aspect	Physical Werewolf	Digital Werewolf
Social Interaction	Eye contact, body language, high tension	Mostly voice or text; less nonverbal play
Game Flow	Requires manual moderation and note-taking	App-controlled, smooth and fair
Location & Time	Hard to gather people in one place	Play anytime, anywhere
Immersion & Roleplay	Easier to act and perform live	Less expressive unless in 3D format

In real-life Werewolf, time is managed manually — each player must wait for their turn and action phase, creating natural pauses and tension. In contrast, the digital version uses countdowns and automated turns, introducing a more structured sense of pacing that makes the game faster and more accessible, but sometimes less suspenseful.

4. 2D vs. 3D – Which Feels Better?

Most Werewolf apps use 2D interfaces — simple avatars, chat boxes, voice channels. This makes it:

• Clean and easy to understand

• Lightweight and fast to load

• Focused on deduction over visuals

Some apps (like Werewolf Duel or Virtual Werewolf) offer 3D spaces with animated characters:

• You get facial expressions, gestures, and even costumes

• Great for immersive roleplay and storytelling

So which is for you?

Love logic and quick games? Stick with 2D.

Want the drama of live theater? Try 3D.

Basis for Reasoning

• 2D Werewolf

Mainly relies on players’ speeches, logical reasoning, and sorting out information from previous rounds to determine identities. For example, in Among Us, players analyze who has loopholes in their words or whose behavior contradicts the logic of the good 阵营 (good team) through text or voice chat to identify werewolves. 🗣️🔍

• 3D Werewolf

In addition to speeches and logic, it emphasizes observing players’ behavioral clues. For instance, in Fear Among Us, players can use others’ movement trajectories, 停留位置 (staying positions), and task execution in the 3D scene as reasoning evidence. 👁️🚶♂️

 

Environment and Strategy

• 2D Werewolf

Game scenes are typically flat. Take Among Us’s spaceship as an example—the map has a simple structure, mainly connected by rooms and corridors. Players use the scene mostly by memorizing task locations and guessing where werewolves might hide. 🗺️→

• 3D Werewolf

Scenes are more three-dimensional and complex. For example, 3D Werewolf games like Storm Island feature tropical islands with swaying coconut trees, spaceships, and other scenes. Players can use environmental elements to devise strategies—like Lost Ones intentionally placing rotten wood upwind of the shipyard to create fake natural accidents using wind direction. 🌴💨⚓

Interaction Experience

• 2D Werewolf

Interaction mainly happens via voice or text chat. Player interaction focuses on verbal communication, with little physical movement or gesture-based interaction. 📱💬

• 3D Werewolf

Thanks to 3D scenes and voice systems, interactions are richer. In Among Us 3D, players can use proximity voice chat and control characters to perform social gestures. Some games also assign different physical traits and skills based on character classes, promoting teamwork. 🎭👫✨

Task Operations

• 2D Werewolf

Tasks are usually completed via simple clicks or interface operations, focusing more on task logic and order. The process feels abstract. 🖱️→✅

• 3D Werewolf

Task operations are more concrete and immersive. For example, in 3D space-themed Werewolf games, players might operate instruments or repair circuits in a first-person perspective, just like in a real space environment, making them feel fully engaged. 🔧🚀👩🚀

5. Why You Should Give Digital Werewolf a Shot

1. Super Social — Make Friends While Arguing 

Meet clever people from all over, train your persuasion, and sharpen your thinking — all while having a blast.

2. No Two Games Are the Same

Each round brings new roles, players, strategies, and surprises — it never gets boring.

3. Free to Play — No Wallet Needed

Most platforms are free to join. You don’t need to spend a dime to experience the thrill of deception and deduction.

6. How to Get Started

• Top App Picks:

Try Werewolf Voice, Tencent Werewolf, One Night Ultimate Werewolf, etc. Most offer voice chat, private rooms, fast games, and themed events.

• Pro Tip:

Start with the beginner training room to learn the basics, then head into public matches to level up your skills.

7. Final Thoughts

   Werewolf is more than a game — it’s a test of logic, language, psychology, and sometimes… friendship.

Whether you're lying through your teeth or desperately trying to prove your innocence, every round is a story waiting to unfold.

So if you haven’t tried the digital version yet, maybe it’s time to find out:

Are you the one hiding in plain sight?