Game Design Showdown Jan 2006: "Winter O'Flick-its&quot

Entry #1 - TOBACCONIST TOBOGGANISTS
by Hamumu

Overview

This is a game for 2-8 players, taking 10-30 minutes. The players were at a Tobacconist’s Convention high atop a mountain when they got bored and wandered into the neighboring Brewer’s Convention. A short few hours later, having imbibed more than few product samples, they staggered out, grabbed some of the giant novelty cigars from their convention and set forth in a no-holds-barred toboganning competition. Because that’s what drunk tobacconists do.

Contents

1 Giant Novelty Cigar Toboggan w/rider
(note the bottom has 2 ball bearings in it for smooth but hard to control rolling)

2 Very Heavy Lodges

1 roll-out Mountain board, steepness dependent on your table, and adjustable with books or whatever you have handy
(shown here setup at the table with lodges holding it down and the toboggan in place. Not shown are the many holes scattered across the board, and the fact that the bottom board segment has a rubberized underside so it sticks where you put it)

20 Giant Novelty Cigarettes
(2 shown here, placed in the invisible holes in the board)

8 Totally Illegal Tobacco Billboards
(1 shown here, set up on two cigarettes as it would be usually placed in the game)

1 Score Pad
1 Pencil

Gameplay

Players take turns setting the toboggan at the top of the mountain and then pushing it so it rolls down. Depending on the outcome of your roll, you may or may not earn points and place obstacles:

Cigarettes are placed into the holes on the board. Billboards are hung off of the Cigarettes, and may end up at virtually any angle depending on where the Cigarettes they hang from are. You may never move or remove a placed obstacle.
The score pad looks like this:

Score each run there, even if it’s a zero. The game continues until either everyone has done 8 runs, or an entire run goes by with nobody scoring any points.
The winner is the one with the most points!

Entry #3 - Competitive Figure Skating
by Scurra

A game for three to five players

Any “sport” in which the result can be determined by the personal opinions of judges is always open to accusations of corruption, national bias and cheating. And what’s wrong with that?

Important Components:

Several wooden blocks and cylinders of various diameters and heights, marked with different base scores depending upon how stable they are (from 0.1 to 0.4?) Lots of dice in different colors (and sizes?)
A boundary board to define the rink space and stop the dice escaping.
A one-minute timer.
Scoreboard (pencil and paper?!)
55 Nationality cards: 20 Russians, 20 Americans, 15 Others.
With three players, each player needs 2 Russians, 2 Americans and 3 Others.
With four players:3 Russians, 3 Americans and 3 Others.
With five players: 4 Russians, 4 Americans and 3 Others.

Each player will get two chances to try and score their best. During a round, each player will send a skater in to perform. They will be scored both on their technical merit (how well they perform) and their artistic impression (whether the judges like them.)
Choose a player and give them the Active Competitor marker. Each player chooses a nationality card from their hand and reveals it simultaneously. The other cards are the Judges for this round. Players may discuss their card choices.

The dice are thrown onto the rink. Someone starts the one-minute timer. The contestant must create a routine by selecting a wooden block and standing it on the rink, and then stacking various dice on top of the block. If a dice falls off a block during the stacking, it must be removed from the rink along with any other dice that are still on the block.
Sets of the same colored dice represent multiple moves. For example, three red dice in a stack might represent a triple toe loop; two greens would be a double axel. Only two colors may be placed on the same block, and they can only be placed in two groups (i.e. you can’t place a red then a green then another red.) A player may place as many blocks with dice as they wish.

Once the one-minute time is up, all remaining dice must be removed from the rink. Each other player may then take one of the removed dice and tosses it from a reasonable distance into the rink. A die that doesn’t hit a block costs the throwing player 0.5 points (this may make their score negative) and earns the competitor 0.5 points. Any dice now on the rink surface are removed.

The competitor now earns points for their routine. A maximum of four blocks may be scored. The base score is indicated on each block, but it can only be scored if it has at least one die on it. Each successful move is worth (the number of dice involved multiplied by the block value.) A combination move results in the two values being multiplied together.
Example: If the block score is 0.2: 1 die scores 0.2 points and 2 dice of the same color scores 0.4 points. And a double followed by a double would be worth 1.6 points.
Add up the scores for each block to reach a final score for the routine.
The maximum possible technical merit score is 6.0. Additional scores should be noted for tie-breaks.

The Artistic Impression score is determined by the nationality of the Judges. The competitor earns a base score of 3.0 points.

If the competitor is Russian, then each Russian judge earns the competitor 1.0 points and the judge 1.0 points. Each American judge earns the competitor 0.5 points and the judge 0.5 points. Each Other judge costs the competitor 0.5 points and the judge 0.5 points. American competitor: Americans earn 1.0 points, Others earn 0.5 points, Russians cost 0.5 points.
Other competitors: Others earn 1.0 points, Russians earn 0.5 points, Americans cost 0.5 points.

The maximum Artistic Impression score is 6.0 points – excess points here are disregarded even for use as a tiebreak. Judges’ scores may be negative at this point if they haven’t performed a routine. All played cards are now discarded and the next player clockwise or via score (see below) takes the Active Competitor marker.
After the first round, the players now perform again, but in reverse order of their current combined score (i.e. the lowest ranked player goes first.) In the event of a tie for scores, the younger player goes first.
Once both rounds are completed, the final scores are tallied and the medals are awarded.

Team rules: at the start of the game, players secretly select one Nationality card. Scores are kept for the three Nationalities, rather than individual competitors. At the end of the game, everyone reveals their team affiliation, and all players on the highest scoring team win.

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Entry #5 - Downdraft Skiing
by Gamebot

For any number of two player teams

Components

• 1 Cotton Ball
• 1 Ping Pong Ball
• 1 Crumpled Paper Ball
• 5 (or more) Unopened Cans (Soda, Beer, Soup, etc.)
• 1 Stop Watch
• 1 Sheet of Paper w/ Pencil
• 1 Long Table

The Object of the Game

Downdraft Mountain is notorious for its strong winds and deadly cliffs, but that doesn’t stop skiers from attempting to slalom down it. The object of the game is for you and your teammate to blow your skier (ball) in and out of the flags (cans) to the end of the course.

Setting up the Game

• Clear off a long table and remove all of the chairs around it.
• Place 5 cans down the length of the center of the table. You may use more cans depending on the length of your table. Player may agree to stagger them off of the center to increase difficulty.
• Designate a “start” end and a “finish” end to the table.
• Assign teams of two players.

Playing the Game

The game will consist of three rounds. The type of skier will vary each round:

Round 1 – Cotton Ball (Stops reasonably)
Round 2 – Ping Pong Ball (Does not stop)
Round 3 – Crumpled Paper Ball (Stops too early)

On Your Run

Each team will get one chance during each round to run through the course.

On your team’s run, both players go to the “start” end of the table. One player stands on the one side of the table and the other player stands on the opposite side. One player will place the ball on the table in front of him.

Designate a player on another team to be the referee. That person will give a countdown, tell the players to start, and then start the timer. The player will then blow his ball through the first gate (between the edge of the table and the first can). The teammate will then blow the ball back around the next can. This will continue until the ball goes through the last gate (between the edge of the table and the last can). When the ball passes through the last gate, the moment it leaves the table is when the timer should be stopped. The referee then records the time for that run.

Special Rules

• While the ball is on the table, it may not be touched, except the replace a fallen ball.
• If the ball falls off the table, put it back on at the edge where it fell off.
• A player cannot leave his or her side of the table.

Scoring

At the end of each run, that team is penalized one point (+1) each time the ball falls off the table, one point (+1) each time a teammate touches the ball illegally, and two points (+2) each time a player leaves his or her side of the table.
At the end of each round, the team with the best time marks off two points (-2).
At the end of the game, the team with the least points is the winner.

Entry #7 - Winter War
by Hambone

What is the best thing to do on a snow-day? Snowball fights. This game is for 2-6 players. Team play is allowed, although people often succumb to the temptation of letting them fly at anyone they see, including teamates. The game comes with the following materials.

1 piece of white felt
12, 12-sided dice (ice dice preferred)
6, 20-sided dice
6, 6-sided dice
1 deck of 78 cards

The playing area:
The white felt is cut into a 36 inch diameter circle. Centered in the felt, is a 12 inch diameter circle for the snowball gathering area. At six even intervals around the perimeter, are players areas consisting of 8 inch circles, numbered one through six.

The Cards
36 duck cards
24 snowball cards
6 yellow snowballs
12 gather snowball cards

The Setup:
Each player gets a set of 13 cards, consisting of 4 snowballs, 1 yellow snowball, 6 duck cards, and 2 gathering cards. Each person selects a number and they sit at the coreresponding numbered playing area. Each player gets two 12-sided dice, one 6-sided die and one 20-sided die.

Teams:
Teams can be declared or kept secret, and at any time changed with or without notice. Pick your friends wisely, and watch your back.

Overview:
The game consists of rounds, with each player performing an action every round, until all players run out of snowballs. Every round, every player rolls a defensive roll. Depending on their choice of actions, other rolls are possible. At any time, if a die rolls off the felt, a window is broken and it counts as 1 hit against the person responsible. The person with the least hits at the end of the game is the winner. The winner has the ability to choose one teammate to share the title of winner if they wish.

The Round:
1)Each player selects one of their cards and places it face down in front of them. That card is the action they choose to take that round. They place their six sided die on top of the card with the top number clearly displayed, referring to the opponent the action may be directed to. All players simultaneously reveal their cards, and the actions are performed.
2)Each player rolls their defense for the round, based on the action card they chose.
3)Players throw snowballs at the person indicated on their 6 sided die.
4)Players gather snowballs
5)Hits are tallied
6)Check if anyone has remaining snowballs and repeat the round is more remain.

Throw Snowball Card:
You defense is 1d12
Your offense is 1d20
If you roll your offensive die at the player indicated by your 6-sided die and if it stops in the opponents playing area, add 2 to your roll.
If your offense is greater than or equal to your target's defense, the target is hit.

Yellow Snowball Card:
Same as a regular snowball, but if you hit your target, the target is stunned for their next turn, meaning their defense is halved, rounding up.

Duck Card:
Your defense is 2d12.
You have no offense this round.
The 6 sided die is meaningless for this round.

Gather Snowballs card:
Your defense is 1d12, halved (rounding up)
You have no offense this round.
The 6-sided die is meaningless this round.
After everyone has thrown snowballs, gathering takes place. Roll 3 dice into the gathering area at the center of the felt. Any die outside the circle is removed from this round. Every odd numbered die results in one snowball collected. After rolling, all other players may roll their 20-sided die into the gathering area, attempting to change the result of one of your dice. Gathered snowballs are pulled out of the discard pile and returned to the players hand. Yellow snowballs cannot be picked up. If there are not enough snowballs in the discard pile, they cannot be gathered.

All players must honestly declare if they have any remaining snowballs each round. If at any point they run out of snowballs, they must immediately gather more if they have any remaining gather cards. If they run out of cards completely, they have a defensive roll of 1d12. The game ends when ALL players are out of snowballs and gathering cards. As mentioned above, the winner with the least hits against them, may select a buddy to share the winners circle with them.

Have Fun.

Entry #9 - Triple Lyndig
by doho123

(Figure Skating in the Detroit Professional Skating League)

The “board” is an ice skating rink 2 foot by 3 foot, divided into 6 performance zones. Each zone has a BullsEye target of three colored rings, known as the Performance Rating Area (PRA). On the perimeter in each zone are holes to place completion flags.

Teams of 2 players are randomly decided, as is the order of the teams to perform.

The Performance:
Each member of the Performing Team is given a large wooden puck (Skaters). One member gets a deck of cards whose cardback says "Skater," the other gets a deck called "Partner." Players who are watching the performance each get a medium obstacle puck (Octopus) and a small obstacle puck (Banana). The performing team gets 20 completion flags.

The Performing Team starts with their Skaters in any zone they wish. A turn consists of:
1)The team draw cards from their decks to maintain a hand of 8 cards.

2)They select five cards face down in front of them from their hand, keeping three cards in reserve. They may discuss which cards they want to play.

3)Watching players may "throw an obstacle on the ice" by placing one of their obstacles on the outer edge of the rink and flick it once in to the rink.

4)Each Performing Player flicks their Skaters on the rink. Place a completion flag in a hole in the zone that each Skater slide into. Players may decide to flick their Skaters again, at the cost of placing more completion flags. If a Skater falls off the rink, place 3 flags in that zone to bring the Skater back on where it left the rink. Obstacles may be hit with no penalty (they just get in the way). Skaters can bounce their pucks off of previously placed flags.

When all completions flags are placed on the rink, the players cannot flick their discs anymore, and they have one last round of playing cards.

Both Skaters MUST be in the same zone to play cards and be in a different zone than the zone in which they started the turn.

5) Performing players takes turns playing one of their five selected cards, starting with the player playing the Skater deck. These cards feature traditional skating moves (“Backwards Gracefully”, “Backflip”,”Double Axle”) which award points based on how close the Skater is to the center bullseye of the PRA. The Partner deck player must play a matching traditional skating move (with points awarded as described), or a special Partner move (such as “Lift and Hold” or “Throw Her Into The Air”) which multiplies the point total on the previously played card from the Skater deck. Players may play any amount of cards they wish, or none at all before declaring this turn over. Keep the running total of points on a pad of paper. Players not touching any ring color cannot play any cards.

Some cards will require the Skater being in certain zones, the Skater touching certain colored rings on the PRA, or other restrictions based on scoring potential. For example:

“Forward Gracefully” has no requirement, but scores a single point when touching the “average” ring of the PRA, 2 points when touching the “Excellent” and 4 points in the “Perfect” circle.

The Partner card, “Lift and Hold” has a multiplier of 2X touching an “Excellent” ring and 3X when touching the "Perfect” circle in the PRA, and cannot be played otherwise.

The very high scoring “Triple Lyndig” requires being in any ring of the PRA in a corner zone with a single flick from a corner zone on the other side of the rink.

6)All obstacles are removed from the rink. Both Players discard the five cards they selected. They may also discard any amount of their three reserved cards. If the Skaters have at least 2 completion flags left, they start a new turn back at step 1.

When a team has finished performing, look to see which zone has the least amount of completion flags. The judges like Skaters who use the whole rink. Bonus points are awarded based on the number of flags in the least visited zone, the more the better.

After all teams have had a chance to perform, the team with the highest score wins. Multiple rounds may be played with more or less completion flags (short program and long program) with order of performance reversed. The total for both rounds is added to determine the winner.

By removing the Partner deck, and lowering the completion flag amount, players can also play as single skaters.

Challenge Results

Based upon the votes I received, we have the following results ...

First Place (20 points on 6 votes) -- Triple Lyndig by doho123 (Entry #9) (does this put doho in the "Yogurt seat" now?)

Second Place ... a tie:
>(9 points on 6 votes) -- Ice Castle Danger by Xaqery (Entry #4)
>(9 points on 3 votes) -- Downdraft Skiing by Gamebot (Entry #5)

The rest of the scoring went as follows ...

• Competitive Figure Skating by Scurra (Entry #3) -- 8 points on 4 votes
• Winter Flickathon by seo (Entry #10) -- 7 points on 3 votes
• TOBACCONIST TOBOGGANISTS by Hamumu (Entry #1) -- 6 points on 3 votes
• Hair-dryer Curling by clapjaws (Entry #6) -- 6 points on 3 votes
• Winter War by Hambone (Entry #7) -- 5 points on 3 votes
• QUICKEY by Kefa (Entry #8) -- 3 points on 2 votes
• Snow Sculpture by Epigone (Entry #2) -- 2 points on 2 votes

Feel free to continue the critiquing of the entries here:
http://www.bgdf.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=3703

Thanks again to everyone!! The February Challenge will be posted in a couple of weeks.

-Bryk

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