I've been designing a game with a small board of 4x4 squares. This is some kind of an abstract game. For most abstract games (Chess, Checkers, etc.) you have a very simple, no-theme board. Just simple squares (or hexagons) but no theme whatsoever. Then the squares can actually be any color, as long as the two different colors differ.
In my game, there is no difference between squares, but I've been thinking about how much does the theme add to the ambient of an abstract game. The game itself is about two players that play different kind of moves with their pieces trying to occupy as many full lines (in a 4x4 board) while trying to push the other player off the board. The movement is really constricted since the board is really small (hence the name Confinement). Then I've rendered the 3D board to be used as a table. (See attached picture)
Most games today have some kind of artistic artwork (cartoonish or such). Very rarely you can see photographic artwork. Since my 3D rendered board looks more photographic than cartoonish, I was wondering whether this kind of graphics can be used to boost the ambient. Or would it simply distract the player?
The board represents an open box, simply the 4x4 squares surrounded by 4 high walls having a notion of a really confined space in which the game is taking place. The squares are of varied heights, even though this does not have any influence on the game. To the sides are the two scoring tracks, one for each players (intentionally not numbered). As you can see, the scoring tracks are not a 2D overlay on the board, but a part of the box in the 3D world. How does this affect the ambient of the game? What do you prefer?
I want some of your (personal) critical insight into the quality of this board, how does the 3D rendered board affect the idea of an abstract game, how it does (or does not) boost the ambient of the game, and would you rather have a cartoonish (simple lines forming squares) feel to this kind of the game. Also, since the board is rendered from a top-down perspective, how much distortion would a player feel to the board since he is not sitting directly above it but a bit to the side (sitting at the side of the table)? How much of this perspective distortion would you tolerate (since it can create a bit unnatural feel)?
Any opinions or comments?
