Before we start making anything, we need to decide on what kind of game we want to make, and the things we want, and the things we don’t want.
In a more formal blog post, I’d probably structure this better, but this is The Workshop, it’s going to be messy, and disorganised.
My game MUST
(I am aware it will be lowkey impossible to have all of these stipulations, but these are some things to aim for!)
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Must be a party game (short rounds/games, lots of players)
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A single game should not take more than 30 minutes to play (maybe this is even pushing it already)
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Support 3+ players
Often, I find myself playing games in groups of three, so I’d like it to support at minimum three!
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NOT be a board game
Funnily enough, I want this game to be portable, meaning no big game boards or complicated pieces.
- This probably means that this game will be a card game
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Be EASY TO LEARN
Often, I notice that people new to board and cards games have a horrible experience trying out games. This is due to a combination of complex rules, but more often, horrible explanations by other people. It should take 5 minutes to learn this game.
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Be REWARDING to good players
On the other side of the coin, I want to reward those who are more experienced with both this game, but this game in general, and give them space to flex their skills. In summary, a high skill ceiling.
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Have strong CATCH-UP MECHANICS
The worst thing is being resigned to a losing position within the first five minutes due to early misplays or inexperience. I want to make it so that no matter what, everyone has an opportunity to “clutch up”.
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Have a strong theme
I love world building and power fantasies. Playing this game should transport you to another world or specific scenario. I just think it makes it so much more fun.
Looking at these points, games such as Exploding Kittens and Unstable Unicorns come to mind. However, I can’t say those games were ones I had an extreme affinity to as opposed to just some light fun.
Games I love (taking inspiration)
Magic: the Gathering As much as I love this game, I’m not too sure what things I want to take inspiration from. It is definitely much more complex than what I’m aiming for. Visually amazing though.
Trivia Murder Party 2 Yep, a video game. The main thing I want to draw from on this game is that players are rewarded for performing well early (in the form of money), but poor performing players can win from behind during the very final round of the game. It makes for some really dramatic games and amazing moments.
Secret Hitler Honestly, one of my favourite social deduction games ever. Not that I’ve played many. Having a strong discussion element is something I’d love to have as I personally just find it so fun, especially seeing the lengths of gaslighting people will go to to clench a win. I love the physical element of passing around the wooden pieces too.
Rough ideas
Some random things I have circulating my mind that I’d love to incorporate or try.
- The idea of being a sorcerer/wizard casting spells from a selection of rune cards
- Unknown roles/factions of players trying to work towards different goals (mafia or Secret Hitler style)
- A dungeon crawler in card game form
Next: 02 - Playing some board games!
The next important step in building a board game is to play a bunch of them, to see what you like, and don’t like! Especially important since I haven’t played too many…