Exercise 2

 From Tabletop to Screen: How Werewolf Went Digital

Werewolf is a popular social deduction game. It started as a physical, face-to-face game played with a group of friends sitting in a circle. Over time, it became a digital game that we can now play on our phones or computers. In this blog, I will explore how Werewolf changed from a non-digital game into a video game, what was kept the same, and what changed in the process.

1. What Is the Original Werewolf Game Like?

The original Werewolf game is played in person. Players sit together, usually in a circle, and each person is given a secret role. There are two teams: the werewolves and the villagers. Only the werewolves know who their teammates are. The villagers must guess who the werewolves are and vote to eliminate them before the werewolves kill all the villagers.

Each round has a "night" and a "day." At night, everyone closes their eyes, and the werewolves silently choose someone to eliminate. In the daytime, all players discuss and try to find the werewolves. They then vote to remove someone from the game.

The game depends on face-to-face communication, body language, and how people speak. It also needs a game master to control the flow of the game and keep everything organized.

2. How Did Werewolf Become a Video Game?

When Werewolf became a digital game, many things changed.

First, the game master was replaced by the system. The game app or software now controls the rules, time limits, and player actions. This makes the game faster and easier to play because players do not need someone to host the game.

Second, the way people talk also changed. In face-to-face games, we use real voices and eye contact. In video games, players often use voice chat, text, or even just simple buttons to communicate. This can make the game feel less personal, but it also allows players to play with strangers from anywhere in the world.

Third, new features were added. Some versions of digital Werewolf have rankings, skins, sound effects, and animations. These features are not part of the original game, but they make the experience more exciting and modern.

Finally, players can join a game at any time using online matching. You don't need to gather 8–12 friends like before. The app finds people for you, and you can start playing in minutes.

3. What Stayed the Same?

Even though the format changed, the heart of the game is still there. The basic idea of two hidden teams, talking, voting, and trying to guess who is lying is still the same. The digital version still keeps the roles like werewolf, villager, and seer. It still uses night and day phases. And the main goal—to find the enemy team—has not changed.

4. What Changed?

However, some things are different. In the digital version:

You cannot see body language or facial expressions clearly.

There are fewer real emotions or reactions.

It can be harder to trust other players online.

The system limits what players can do. For example, there is a timer, and everyone must follow it.

The feeling of sitting in a room and arguing with your friends is harder to recreate on a screen. But on the other hand, the digital game is more organized and convenient. It has automatic rules and better balance. It’s easier for new players to learn.

5. My Thoughts

I think the digital version of Werewolf is a smart way to bring a classic game to more people. It helps people play even when they are far apart. The game is faster and easier to control. However, I feel it loses some of the real-world charm. In the future, maybe we can use new technology like VR or face tracking to make the digital version feel more like the original game.

In conclusion, changing Werewolf from tabletop to digital is more than just putting the same game on a screen. It means adjusting the way players interact, how rules work, and how we design the game experience. Some things are lost, but many things are gained.