The Artisan’s Bench is a narrative simulation game which aims to enable players to step into the footsteps of a jeweler who tries to balance energy, profits and integrity. The goal of the game isn’t just to finish with the highest possible profits, but to do so while managing to maintain physical and mental health as well as moral practices. Through 15 different and distinct scenarios, the game acts as a portal to life of a craftsman enabling players to be completely immersed. Every scenario has three choices, each impacting the three variables (mental, physical health, profit). Every choice in the game comes with an opportunity cost; for example, choosing to stay up late may increase profits but comes with a decline in health levels. The Artisan’s bench serves the lesson of the “Handmade Tax”, the costs associated with being an artisan. The game teaches players about the opportunity costs that jewelers face in their day to day lives. Players quickly learn that trying to cut corners might offer short term profits but affects the artisan’s health, brand integrity and mental wellbeing. Here is the link to the final game https://the-artisans-bench.netlify.app/

After sharing with my peers in the class my first draft of the game I was very pleased with the feedback. They let me know that they liked the format of the game and the scenarios. The only comment they had was to mix up the choices for each scenario as the second choice was always the optimal. I took this feedback into consideration and randomized the order of the choices in the game. I also edited the photos in each scenario so that it would match the contents better and fixed the integrity scoring at the end of the game. Here is the link to the blog with my first draft https://reflect.creativitycourse.org/published/the-artisans-bench-game-first-draft/

If I had more time to refine the game, I would have included more variables to be tracked as the simulation went on such as a social life, family and sleep debt bars. I would also make the scenarios more dynamic each building on the last instead of each scenario being independent. I feel like this would make the game more realistic. While making this game I learned how to structure a narrative game. I also learned how to use AI tools such as Gemini Canvas to write the code for the different scenarios; I now have a better understanding of Gemini’s capabilities and can recognize what Gemini Canvas can and cannot do. I also learned how to read a bit of html code and edit it which quite a useful skill to have.  I now know that to create a game which is both entertaining and educational, it needs to be creative and require critical thinking. In earlier stages of the game the best choice for each scenario was too obvious which I quickly learned wasn’t entertaining.

I also double checked the contrast of the colors used in the game to make sure that it is accessible. The foreground color has a hex value of #2D2A26 and the background has a hex value of #FCFAF7, giving a contrast ratio of 13.7:1, passing for WCAG AA and WCAG AAA for both normal and large text (site used is WebAIM). The information that is used is a combination of my personal experience in jewelry creation and Gemini.

Here is are the references for the images used in the game:

Almutamaiz, A. (n.d.). AlSADEQ ALMUTAMAIZ – Jewelry trading company. https://www.alsadeq-jewelry.com/

Burdental. (2023, August 11). How to Polish jewelry: A Step-by-Step Guide. Burdental. https://www.burdental.com/blog/how-to-polish-jewelry

Deiss, M. (2025, August 4). Loupe Magnifiers: Essential tool for watch enthusiasts. Rotate Watch Kits. https://rotatewatches.com/blogs/blog/loupe-magnifiers-guide-for-watch-repair

Donevski, V. (2021, December 27). Complete Guide on mobile application development & its launch (2019 Guide) – Theme Circle. Theme Circle. https://www.themecircle.net/complete-guide-mobile-application-development-2019/

North West Executive Education. (2024, September 12). Better negotiations: Why a handshake matters. Northwest Executive Education. https://northwest.education/insights/behavioral-sciences/for-better-negotiations-start-with-a-handshake/

O’Donnell, C. (2020, November 16). International audience tunes into Leitrim organic farming conference. Agriland. https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/international-audience-tunes-into-leitrim-organic-farming-conference/

Passmore, R. (2024, February 10). Best for you: jewellers’ chair and stools. Durston Tools. https://durston.com/jewellery-making-articles/jewellers-chairs/

Pick-up and delivery service: facilitating easy transport of your items. (2025, June 4). https://www.onedirectionmove.com/pick-up-and-delivery-service-facilitating-easy-transport-of-your-items

Quilia. (2017, August 31). red cordless powerdrill. Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/photos/red-cordless-powerdrill-CuDoRFyTkAQ

Sedawie, R. (2021, February 22). How is a pickle pot for jewelry making used? Jewelry Auctioned. https://www.jewelry-auctioned.com/learn/trending-jewelry-news/pickle-pot-jewelry-making

Solder Connection. “Applications | Solder Connection | Recommended Products.” Solder Connection, 4 July 2025, www.solderconnection.com/applications.

Swiss Alloys. (n.d.). https://swissalloys.com/

Thank you Card, Nature Thank you Card, Leaf Card – Etsy UK. (2025, July 13). Etsy. https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1012600761/thank-you-card-thankyou-card-greetings?ls=r&external=1&rec_type=ss&ref=landingpage_similar_listing_top-1&pro=1&frs=1&content_source=e80309ab53e1db56eab5fc45ed3f1299%253ALTde8ecef46d2c55fc99882fe8ff3f148f195bf255&logging_key=e80309ab53e1db56eab5fc45ed3f1299%3ALTde8ecef46d2c55fc99882fe8ff3f148f195bf255

راضي, ف. (2024, July 16). أفضل 10 ماركات المجوهرات في العالم. الإقتصاد الان | الاقتصاد بين ايديك. https://eqtisadnow.com/%D8%A3%D9%81%D8%B6%D9%84-10-%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85/