Interest check...new game idea

It IS silly. The trigger for me was watching lots of board games come out about Medicine and Law Enforcement and Fire. But no courtroom games?

Well, of course, early on into the design and development I found out why - it's not easy to abstract with mechanics that marry obviously with the theme. But I think I am on the right path, and with all of the elements you guys have thrown forth, there's more than enough ideas to rapid prototype and playtest for months to come.

Obviously the FUN element is going to be the next major thing to assess. I can make algorithms all day that theoretically play well and would offer a math major some fun in optimization. But I really want to develop this into something that FEELs like the drama of a murder trial.

And yes, I have on the pad lots of ideas to expand the base game into all the different types of evidence and investigative technique that would appeal to some jurors over the other. But like I said, getting the bare bones murder trial with traditional Perry Mason type of courtroom battle is proving enough for a team of one to get moving.

Thanks all for the awesome suggestions and the proper amount of fuel to keep plugging away!

WW

You are exactly right. The game already has in it hidden information for the Juror tiles. These are scores of Burden and Influence. Burden is how much Proof is needed for them to vote guilty, Influence is will they roll over with what the crowd says or will they sway the crowd. The information is revealed through game play, mainly by playing a Voir Dire card (which foregos any token generating action that turn).

It pleases me greatly that others are coming up with great ideas that I can use or have already used but can tweak qith something I have not yet thought of. Makes me feel like I am on the right track...which is nearly impossible when you are lone wolfong it.

WW

I have what I think already is a fairly deep and (hopefully) interesting game, and the aim is to playtest at local events in Southern California where I can find them. Closer to the light at the end of the tunnel, I plan to chuck some money in and POD a nearly finished product to send to anyone here that wants to check out the game.

However, just because it all comes together nicely in my head doesn't mean the game is going to be any good, right? If I hit that point where it takes more than tweaks and better flavor text to make it all come together I am going to go back through this thread and look for which of these ideas I should try. At that point, I will definitely be open to co- and group designing with you fine folks.

I really dig collaboration in all my creative pursuits - I will jump on any offer to help out with anyone else's game that interests me, at whatever level of formality the designer desires.

WW

Clearly there will be some folks that would love a well mechanic-ed, fun to play game with a strong courtroom theme.

But when, like all of you probably, if I have six or seven or forty game ideas brewing in my head all at the same time, I would tend to want to work the ones that people like those in this forum (the REAL gamers) would REALLY want to play over something that just kinda gets a "meh, that's been done, but I'm willing to try it" or "I can't see how that would be any fun, but give it a shot". Don't get me wrong, when I get traction in this whole designing thing, I'll definitely burn down the pipeline of ideas and start to hit the "what the hell, let's see if this is any good" games - but we all only have so much time.

Think of it like speed dating. If I want to find a girl that wants to sit on cakes with me, I'm absolutely going to call back the ones who seemed genuinely intrigued by the prospect with wide-eyed anticipation. The ones who raise their eyebrow with an incredulous "oooooookaayyyyyyyy?" I'd put at the bottom of the list. I could be missing out on a surprise, but I really only have the time and energy to chase the matches with the higher batting averages (for now).

To your first point, if I don't like something it doesn't make it past the first gate before I begin the real work on it. Nobody is commissioning any games from me, so I can reserve that hard core work ethic until such a time.

Thank you so much for your insight - one can never be reminded enough just WHY we do this crazy stuff.

WW

I am actually journaling the early development of the game on this site.

The first concept is pretty set...which will be playtested and whatever doesn't work I am definitely coming back to these posts for inspiration. Thank you for your addition!

WW

Someone's gotta open the door! Mark Cuban said it's cool to be an early imitator, right? Thanks for the heads up!