Hey all, after all the talk of movement mechanics, and LoS I figured I'd post this.
I have an idea for a movement mechanic, and I was wondering what you all think of it. The game board is a peg board (Something you could grab from Home Depot), and the pieces are just pegs that fit into it.
Various rings (different sizes) are available for movement. A ring must be placed around the peg you wish to move, and only that peg. The ring must be able to rest on the board alone (not on top of other pieces). Once the ring is in place, the peg it is surrounding may be move to any other hole the ring encloses.
This provides some interesting scenarios. For instance, a strategically placed peg can severly hinder the movement of another player (They may not be able to get there movement ring placed the way they want). This makes blockades possible with far less pieces.
It also provides some things I don't like. Like a player could be stalemated easier. Or mass production of the movement rings could be a little odd/hard.
I am actually working on a concept game using this movement system, but I'd like your input on it.
- Do you think it has promise?
- Is it too abstract for a player to get 'into'?
- Are there any games that use a system like this that you know of?
Thematic material was escaping me as well. Granted I am a big fan on the abstract, but I tend to like more themed games. I was also thinking that the theme could simply reflect any type of movement, men, ships, et cetera (It just may not make complete sense to the player why they have to move that way).
I bought a peg board, and some pegs. I even made some different diameter rings last night from my chainmaille wire. I've go some ideas for basic rules, but play seemed a bit unbalanced after just messing around.