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Fungibility - A Game of Identical Cards

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PaulBlake
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Joined: 05/22/2009

Long time lurker, here. I don't generally post, as I don't often feel my ideas are really fit for general consumption, but my latest design is something special. I thought it would just be an exercise in experimental game design. I was as surprised as anyone else to discover that the game was actually playable - more than that, it's even fun.

The game I've come up with is currently called Fungibility, which is about as fitting a name as there could be: This card game uses 108 identical copies of a single card, and no other components.

From that improbable setup, I've managed to derive a business empire themed game with resource management, card drafting (yes, I know how that sounds), and adaptability, playable by 2-4 players in under an hour.

A barebones edition of the game is currently available, free to print-and-play, linked from the game's page on BGG, here:

http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/114327/fungibility

Here's where the concept starts to really go off the rails: I have also designed 3 expansions for the above linked base game... but they add zero physical components. Instead, my intention is that any retail published version would have art elements required by the expansions, but the core rules would not reference these elements or explain their functions. Post release, I would then make the expansions freely available at regular intervals.

Of course, this all assumes the increasingly improbable scenario of a retail publisher actually being interested in the game, and willing to allow my "rolling upgrade" system of enhancing the game post-release.

So... thoughts? I do request that, anyone tempted to chime in with "sounds like every game would play exactly the same" or offer similar criticisms please read the rules prior to posting.

nine
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Joined: 01/17/2011
Will people be asking in the future...

"Do you remember when you first saw fungibility?"

A truly innovative and original idea... a game with 1 card... brilliant!

Whether it is published... whether it is well received... who knows?

But when was the last time anyone saw an original concept/design/idea that isn't a rehashed mechanic or just the same game different colours etc

Well done sir... two thumbs well up!

9

JonnyRotten
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Joined: 05/04/2009
In the future...

In the future, every game will be fungability!

I would pay at least 1 dollar for every different card in the game!

Just kidding, I'm interested. I printed it out from reddit, laminated the cards, just need to cut them up for game day next weekend.

PaulBlake
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Joined: 05/22/2009
Depending on who you ask, a

Depending on who you ask, a lot of games already are fungible. To paraphrase Arthur C. Clarke: "Any sufficiently advanced CCG is indistinguishable from Magic."

Back on topic: Glad there's some interest, and glad the updated 9-card pdf worked out for you, Johnathan Past-His-Sell-By-Date (assuming it did). Now I just need to drum up some activity on the BGG page.

Incidentally, I had some complaints about the rules PDF not loading properly: If you're having page problems, I feel bad for you, son. I've got just seven pictures, and a glitch ain't one.

http://imgur.com/a/Hm6Qn

PaulBlake
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Joined: 05/22/2009
Quick update: Printer-friendly Skeleton Crew version...

If you've been intrigued by Fungibility, but were hesitant to print up the 108 (or 54, for a 2-player game) cards required to try it, have I got news for you!

The Skeleton Crew version allows you to try the game using existing cards you probably already have, but only requires you to print 3 simple pages.

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