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Random exit generation for my Pyramid game idea

7 replies [Last post]
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 10:52
heppu
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Joined: 02/07/2009

Hi! I posted a game idea about escaping a pyramid filled with traps a few weeks ago and now I'm trying to figure out the game mechanics to make it as entertaining as possible.

The game idea thread can be found here:
http://www.bgdf.com/node/2462

So basicly I need a system that randomly determines where the players can exit the pyramid so they have to find out where it is before they can try to reach it. Currently Im considering to put 4 different exits on the pyramid and then add 4 white-back pieces into the game. In the beginning of the game one piece is randomly picked and put aside face down to determine the correct exit, and other 3 pieces are put onto the board so the players much check those pieces to find out which of the exits are trapped.

So Im asking wether this method would work or is there a better one. Ive heard about a "similar" game called Dungeon Quest (its not really similar if you think about it) but havent played it. Is there some kind of system to determine a random exit?

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Tue, 11/24/2009 - 17:43
#1
shiraz
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Joined: 10/20/2009
Another possibility is to not

Another possibility is to not determine which exit is correct until they are checked. So, for example, you put the 4 exits on the pyramid, and then when someone checks a given exit, you roll a d6. If the result is a 5 or 6, then that is the exit. If the result is 1-4, then place a red X on that exit because it is trapped. If three exits have already been found to be trapped, then of course you don't roll for the last one, it is obviously the untrapped exit.

The benefit of this method is that no one can cheat, because you cant peek under the white backed pieces.

You could get the percentages to work out a little better if you used a slightly modified schedule for the die roll threshholds...

So, for the first exit checked, it is untrapped with a roll of 6 only.
For the second exit checked, it is untrapped with a roll of 5 or 6.
For the third exit checked, it is untrapped with a roll of 4, 5, or 6.
The forth exit checked is always untrapped.

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Thu, 11/26/2009 - 20:39
#2
End of Time Games
End of Time Games's picture
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Joined: 04/16/2009
Sweet idea

I want you to know I love this game idea heppu. I would love to discuss. My mind is on it and would love to share ideas if I come up with anything. Hope everthing goes well in this game for you. This sounds like it could really be fun.

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Sun, 11/29/2009 - 15:05
#3
heppu
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Joined: 02/07/2009
shiraz wrote:Another

shiraz wrote:
Another possibility is to not determine which exit is correct until they are checked. So, for example, you put the 4 exits on the pyramid, and then when someone checks a given exit, you roll a d6. If the result is a 5 or 6, then that is the exit. If the result is 1-4, then place a red X on that exit because it is trapped. If three exits have already been found to be trapped, then of course you don't roll for the last one, it is obviously the untrapped exit.

The benefit of this method is that no one can cheat, because you cant peek under the white backed pieces.

You could get the percentages to work out a little better if you used a slightly modified schedule for the die roll threshholds...

So, for the first exit checked, it is untrapped with a roll of 6 only.
For the second exit checked, it is untrapped with a roll of 5 or 6.
For the third exit checked, it is untrapped with a roll of 4, 5, or 6.
The forth exit checked is always untrapped.

I definately dont want it to be a dice roll because that would be purely about luck... the point was that the players must find out which of the exits is the real one before they can leave. Dice roll would make it entirely reliant on luck. Besides if players cheat by looking under the piece then whats the point of playing at all... When games are designed theres no need to consider cheating possibilities at all.

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Tue, 12/01/2009 - 13:05
#4
mdiehr
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Joined: 07/24/2009
Choosing one correct exit out

Choosing one correct exit out of 4 possible ones is always going to be luck, except with different probabilities depending on whether you set them up as tiles or just do a die roll.

With tiles, the first one you check is the exit with 1/4 probability.
The second is 1/3 probability (if the first wasn't the exit).
The third is 1/2 probability, and the final one has to be the exit of course, if none of the others were.

If you used dice instead, you would roll like this:
1st exit: success on 4, re-roll on 5,6
2nd exit: success on 5,6
3rd exit: success on 4,5,6
4th exit: automatic success

and it ends up being the exact same as determining the exit beforehand.

Of course choosing the exit at random before the game starts is more flavorful, so I'd just go with shuffled tiles or something like that.

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Tue, 12/01/2009 - 18:45
#5
heppu
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Joined: 02/07/2009
mdiehr wrote:Choosing one

mdiehr wrote:
Choosing one correct exit out of 4 possible ones is always going to be luck, except with different probabilities depending on whether you set them up as tiles or just do a die roll.

With tiles, the first one you check is the exit with 1/4 probability.
The second is 1/3 probability (if the first wasn't the exit).
The third is 1/2 probability, and the final one has to be the exit of course, if none of the others were.

If you used dice instead, you would roll like this:
1st exit: success on 4, re-roll on 5,6
2nd exit: success on 5,6
3rd exit: success on 4,5,6
4th exit: automatic success

and it ends up being the exact same as determining the exit beforehand.

Of course choosing the exit at random before the game starts is more flavorful, so I'd just go with shuffled tiles or something like that.

No, you didnt understand, the pieces that are on the board are the FALSE exits, the real exit is under the piece that was removed from the board, so if you want to be sure of the right exit you have to check all 3 pieces to know the false exits, thus, its no luck at all unless you rambo to one of the exits and just hope its the right one (in this case you must wait until the end of the game before you can check wether the exit was the real one or not).

I actually cant imagine a system you described. "With tiles, the first one you check is the exit with 1/4 probability." How would you create this kind of system that the exit is determined by pieces on the board but somehow the piece you check is either the false exit or the right one?

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Wed, 02/23/2011 - 14:31
#6
Jackhalfaprayer
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Joined: 09/29/2008
Quote:No, you didnt

Quote:
No, you didnt understand, the pieces that are on the board are the FALSE exits, the real exit is under the piece that was removed from the board, so if you want to be sure of the right exit you have to check all 3 pieces to know the false exits, thus, its no luck at all unless you rambo to one of the exits and just hope its the right one (in this case you must wait until the end of the game before you can check wether the exit was the real one or not).

Having trouble understanding this. Can you explain how you envision the exit tiles being placed on the board again? If there are 4 tiles placed face down, one is the exit and the others are not, doesn't the player upon looking at the face-down side of any one tile have a 1-in-4 chance of finding the exit tile?

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Sat, 02/26/2011 - 19:06
#7
disaac
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Joined: 02/26/2011
Clarifying the issue... perhaps

I am brand new here, and this looks like it is an old thread, but it sounds to me like there was some confusion as to what Heppu is suggesting.

I believe that what heppu is referring to is something along the lines of clue, where some of the information can become available through the game to indicate which exits are false. (The real exit identifier is safely tucked away out-of-game.)

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