Respectful, Offensive, Permission? (The Great Totem)

Honestly, that was my very first thought when I read your premise.

One, actually having some Native American blood is probably helpful. I'd say your rulebook would need a section near the top on your motivations, and mentioning that (as specifically as possible.. hopefully "some" is not like 1/64...).

Two, research research research. You need to get RIGHT what it is that's important to the tribes (principles, etc.). You can't just make them up like in a fantasy game.

Also, yes, I would totally talk to actual people on actual reservations about it, to be sure of number two, above.

It's only offensive if you treat the subject lightly, or like it's a fantasy realm where you get to make stuff up.

In Jamey Stegmaier's Scythe, he defines the land of "Europa" and uses fictitious european-sounding nations.

Keeping in spirit with that ingenuity, why not call your land "Americana" and use fictitious american-sounding nations.

Here are some examples:

• Kaligadigo: Southern Cayote hunters
• Yalara: Western Rattlesnake hunters
• Tebec: Northern Black Bear hunters
• Unjung: Eastern Red Fox hunters
• Chibero: Central Great Eagle hunters

If you want more, just let me know... And I'll see what I can come up with.

Cheers!

Update: Added some animals to the list based on some of your input, my own ideas and Google! Enjoy...

Update #2: Just another idea. Why not force players to travel around "Americana" to various Tribe "Territories" and lay their own traps to capture one of the five (5) sacred hides. The winner is the first player to capture all five hides...

Another idea I had is defining AI for the tribes not being played. So if it's a two (2) player game, with AI it would be five (5) tribes, 2 human controlled and 3 AI driven.

And of course you'd have to patrol your territory to try to prevent other tribes from capturing your sacred hide.

These are just ideas – Feel free to disregard them (if they are not to your liking). Just think a five (5) player + AI controlled game would be pretty original.

Update #3: I was picturing something more like "SmallWorld" in terms of board layout and area control with your tribes. You would send out your "Hunters" and they would try to collect hides from other "territories" without getting caught by that tribes' members.

The "Hunt" Mechanic (which would need to be something ORIGINAL) is what would make the game "shine" (new ideas on that front)...

Buy a copy of Viticulture by Stonemaier Games... The AI is apparently great in that game and you can use the basic ideas as ways to control other players. That's what I was told by my Developer "The Professor" (Joseph Pilkus III).

Apparently most of the Stonemaier Games have AI and it is relatively understandable how to "adapt" the AI philosophy used in other game for solo modes or just simulating a turn by an AI "robot".

That's what I was told. And Joe used those principles and applied them to "TradeWorlds" for the SOLO AI Deck which acts as an opponent allowing you to play with just one (1) Player.

If you want to ask him yourself, send a PM to "The Professor"... Just Search for the name and choose the Users tab for possible matches. You could simply ask him which game gave him the most inspiration for the "TradeWords" AI Mechanic ... something like that.

For my own AI mechanics, I would look at "Race For The Galaxy" ... I believe the EXPANSION... It includes an AI mode that is sort of like a reference card... it counters your moves with other moves... That too may also help... I can't remember if it's like Space Pirates (Which are 3rd Party players) or if it was like it's own Player... But do some Googling you might find a Video presenting the AI in that game...

Here's the link at 6:08: https://youtu.be/Ngj50RT8I3o?t=6m8s

Kris,

I mentioned to Trepid some ideas to consider when crafting an IA.

Trepid,

Again, pleasure to make your acquaintance. I've worked on the AI for Tradewars and have been involved with the play-testing for the several of Jamey Stegmaier's Scythe expansions, including Invaders From Afar and Rise of Fenris, focusing on the Automa.

Cheers,
Joe

No worries, I give credit to whomever deserves it. And it was you who designed "TradeWorlds" AI Deck ... And I remember chatting with you and you said some of the inspiration came from Jamey...

I must have assumed "Viticulture"... But I'm sure Scythe has an AI mode too.

@Trepid: I suggested speaking with @Joe because the AI is very clever in that it uses Character Roles and allows a couple of choices, like "If this" OR "Then this" ... to create some flexibility in how the AI responds on each turn. And as a point of reference EACH CARD is a "Configured Starship" so each card can be deployed too. It's very clever, because it operates much like the "core" game. And what I mean by that is players also choose what cards to be deployed too!

Very impressive and it gives players that feeling that the AI is also playing the game by choosing an Action (Role) / Configuring Starships too.

Here look at this sample:

So the "Admiral" Role is used to command a FLEET of Starships and "attack" the player and if not then the "Trader" Role is used to draw another card too... And there is a development deck which adds "tougher" cards to the mix (of initial AI – As seen in this card example).

Note: I shared this sample card because Mike already shared some AI news to our KS Backers... So nothing really "ground-breaking new"... Since sample cards have been shared, etc. So that's the look of ONE (1) AI card, with the various roles and configuration.

Don't worry, we're not letting any "Cats out of the bag" (so to speak).