I have recently completed a prototype for an abstract strategy game called Synchromy, and I wanted to reach out the the community to see if there are any math whizzes out there to help me (as I am weak in all calculations except geometry!)
The game is for 2 players.
The game board features a 6x6 square grid.
The pieces are transparent primary color tokens: 30 each of red, blue and yellow.
These pieces can be stacked to create 3 secondary colors: orange, green and purple.
The game begins by each player blindly drawing which 2 of the 6 colors noted above they will be playing. These are kept secret from the other player at all times. Players will never play the same color, and only 4 of the 6 available primary and secondary colors will ever be in play for points, though all colors are likely to be on the board as the game progresses. This introduces opportunity for bluffing and misdirection between players.
The object of the game is to have the most of one color on the board while also having the least of another color at the end of the game. Which color serves which goal is up to the players after they have drawn their 2 colors.
Players may take 1 of 6 actions per turn:
1. Draw a color token blind from the bag and place it on any open space on the board.
2. Move a single token from its space to any open space on the board (tokens may only move in a straight line or diagonally).
3. Draw a token blind from the bag and place it on top of a previously placed token, creating a secondary color combination (only 2 tokens may ever be stacked, and only in a combination which creates a secondary color).
4. Move the top token from a secondary color combination to an open space on the board.
5. Move the top token from a secondary color combination on top of another single token, creating another secondary color combination.
6. Move a stack of 2 secondary color combination to an open space on the board.
The game ends once all spaces on the board are occupied. Given the range of moves available, this often if not always is a decision by a player to end the game, based on the layout of the board and whether or not a player believes they have won.
Score is calculated by taking your "most" color number and subtracting your "least" color number. There are also secondary goals, such as bonus points for groupings of 4 or more, and creating an edge-to-edge line of your color.
I think that's all I can tell you guys at this point...my biggest question is, is there an imbalance inherent between primary and secondary color goals? For instance, if player A draws blue and yellow, both only requiring a single token, and player B draws green and purple, both requiring 2 tokens and both also using blue to create them, how does this affect probability and balance? Does the range of movements available on a turn serve to equal things, as all tokens on the board have the ability to be manipulated?
any insights, opinions or criticisms are welcome and most appreciated...tear it apart, break it, say it sounds interesting or profoundly boring...whatever comes to mind will help!
Very helpful insights all... Much appreciated! I agree John that the blind draw could provide imbalance if it happens that a particular color is somehow drawn at a far reduced frequency...you need blue but just aren't pulling them.
Wombat I like the idea of using cards to assign goals...this could speed up play, give a little added difference each time and perhaps compensate for the imbalances as they are further identified. I'm going to seriously look into this...thanks very much!
As for the issue of color blindness, it is one I hadn't thought of, but certainly worth considering. I recall Tom Vasel recently commenting on an abstract game in a similar fashion; recommending perhaps adding simple icons or shapes. You know what they say about great minds!
So much testing yet to be done...this game has provided a unique challenge in that I cannot play against myself like other games I've designed or even bought. finding live testers has been, as I'm sure many of you have encountered, a challenge without a regular, seasoned gaming group. The few I know act like MTG is the only game in existence! Maybe I'll start a separate thread to see how many BGDF members are in the Los Angeles area...I think a solid group dedicated to play testing would be a hugely valuable resource!