I'm working on a western sandbox. I have all the "activities" figured out. But I have one big problem. What to do with all the money. After busting Broncos, trapping animals, heists and other western stuff. You have a bit of cash in your pocket.
I thought of weapons and horses (but busting might get you a better horse.)
Any thoughts here would be extremely helpful.
4x/ sandbox western.
Sat, 11/28/2020 - 10:31
Sat, 11/28/2020 - 10:53
#1
Just an idea
Maybe the game could be about "prospecting" in the Wild West. Instead of horses, maybe you can get mules to pull your prospecting equipment and your goal is to find the Mother Lode (some kind of vein of gold that results you in finding so much you strike it rich).
So Gold can be your currency and you can buy supplies like firearms to chase away the coyotes and bandits who are around to steal your gold. And you can buy plots of land to dig into or rivers to pan for gold, etc.
Of course these are just some rudimentary ideas. When I think "Western", I always think "Gold Rush!" Cheers.
Note #1: Like the rivers could be for panning and cost less than an actual land claim. So you would first need to pan for gold and then when you have sufficient gold, you can take it to the NEXT Level and try a plot of land where you could excavate and dig for gold...
Something like that... IDK if it works with your game. Just some ideas.
Sat, 11/28/2020 - 11:46
#2
How family friendly are you looking to make it?
If you are looking to keep it family friendly, buy up territory, build railroads or start a business (such as a general store, inn, bar, bank, ranch, farm, etc.)
Less family friendly, booze, gambling and call girls.
Sat, 11/28/2020 - 17:37
#4
4x Potential
If it's a competitive game, then there's a ghost town. The players are competing to become the next mayor. They invest their winnings/wealth/etc. back into the town, gaining favor with the townsfolk. Different industries have different value: some provide more "votes," while some provide useful and/or discounted services to those who invested more in them.
Players may also need to periodically defend the town from bandits and robbers and stuff. If a player is invested in the railroads, other players can raid trains to damage the rail baron's income.
I mean, if you're gonna go big with a 4x, then go all the way. :)
Mon, 11/30/2020 - 10:11
#5
Invest money to acquire
Invest money to acquire victory points.
Thu, 12/03/2020 - 09:48
#7
Or you could buy some
Or you could buy some property that can generate income, and can also be destroyed or looted by other players while beign worth VP at the end of the game.
Sun, 12/06/2020 - 19:41
#8
money as a victory condition
Can you make having some amount of money or some amount of money and something else a victory condition? Iron dragon and at least one of the scenarios in firefly does this. There is also the Sycthe and five tribes style which is most money when the games end.
Sun, 12/06/2020 - 23:06
#9
One suggestion
...One idea I had was buying victory points. But I feel that can lead to a breakaway victor.
You can always have PENALTIES against the LEADER of the game. Like for example a Burglary ... The LEADER lose some of his "resources" or "wealth" and that means the other players can close the gap on his lead, etc.
Or the LEADER is kidnapped and his Family is asked to pay Ransom. That's like the LEADER paying for his own "rescue". Things like that...
There can be events that SPECIFICALLY target the LEADING Player. I've given you a couple of examples, I'm sure you'll be able to think of more.
Cheers!
Wed, 12/09/2020 - 10:33
#10
"But I feel that can lead to
"But I feel that can lead to a breakaway victor."
Not necessarily because that could mean sacrificing money that could not be used for other things. So you hinder yourself temporarily to gain VP.
I have the "activities figured out. Prospecting,jumping the claim, cattle drive, cattle wrangling, rob the bank or stagecoach, hunt bounties at 6 different camps, hunt or trap fish and animals, break horses, sell them to the stables, sell gold to the bank, sell animal meat and hide to the trapper (if I add him) or general store. If I make it a 30x30 and not a 20x30 I also have a Indian camp and army for along with a lake.
These actions are resolved with a d20.
One idea I had was buying victory points. But I feel that can lead to a breakaway victor.