I am working on an unofficial (but allowed by the copyright holders) boardgame version of the 'The Incredible Machine', a Rube-Goldberg computer puzzle game created by Sierra Dynamix in the early 90's.
My idea is to have a series of tiles (representing the different machine components) laid out on a player board (sort of like Galaxy Trucker).
The biggest mechanic problem that I have is how to represent the belts and ropes that sometimes connect some of the components. Belts connect stationary components but ropes sometimes connect components that are mobile and will be slid around the board when the players 'run' their machines. Additionally, some of the ropes will need to have multiple segments because they will be routed through pulleys to change direction.
Ideas I have so far are:
1. clear plastic overlays of varying length that are assembled on top of (or under) the tiles.
2. Markers with common symbols (or letters) that denote connected devices.
3. A large clear plastic overlay that players will draw on with dry erase markers
4. playing on a dry-erase capable player board so that players mark up the board with their ropes and belts before laying down tiles.
5. little pieces of string. :-/
Has anyone run into this sort of mechanic before? And brilliant ideas of how this might be handled?
Thanks for the input!
Your second suggestion is an elaboration on my idea for (#2). It's probably the front-runner in terms of ease of production but I think that it really leaves something to be desired visually.
I cross-posted this thread on BGG here:
http://boardgamegeek.com/article/4269517#4269517
NateStraight had a wonderful suggestion which was to drill holes in the player boards so that a peg could be inserted and be able to withstand some tension from a rubber band. I really like this idea and think that I'll probably be running with it since it contributes so strongly to the visuals in the game...