Great people.
Where can I get a 5 second timer from for a game?
Where can I get?
Sun, 02/19/2017 - 12:26
Sun, 02/19/2017 - 13:40
#1
Sand timers are not accurate
Sand timers are not accurate enough to be 5 seconds. So you'll need a digital timer. If you're playtesting just use a phone app. If you're talking production, well that's a whole other matter to discuss with your manufacturer and not something you should be personally sourcing.
Sun, 02/19/2017 - 14:43
#3
You could never patent
You could never patent something like that. Also, patents are too expensive to be seen as anything but a bad idea in gaming. Just asking about IP is enough to get a publisher to trashcan your proposal.
Sun, 02/19/2017 - 15:35
#4
Does it matter how it looks?
Unless there is some strong thematic reason to make the timer look a certain way, just go with the digital timer for the prototype and let the publisher worry about it in production.
If you really really want a certain kind of timer (for example, clockwork to fit in a steampunk theme), it's probably possible to wind up a 15-minute timer that will tick off 5 seconds at at time then pause. Just use a digital timer for the prototype and let the publisher worry about it in production.
Sun, 02/19/2017 - 16:15
#5
5 Mississippi
Where can I get a 5 second timer from for a game?
1 Mississippi
2 Mississippi
3 Mississippi
4 Mississippi
5 Mississippi
And you're done. No need to invest in a timer that is way to short. Or some expensive digital timer that will set you back a few bucks.
An alternative to the "digital timer" that is pretty effective...
But using a Phone App ALARM is probably the BEST solution as James has pointed out to you already! Realize that 5 seconds is not much time either...
Mon, 02/20/2017 - 01:40
#6
Hmm...
5 second timer...
Pretty sure a publisher would just remove any kind of game material that would accurately produce that unless it's the sole gimmick of the game.
But to answer your question, probably the best kind of 5 second timer would be a Fixed Electronic Vital Timer or Relay... which is costly. More costly than any board game would warrant.
The cheaper option would be a drawstring that is reeled in after the pull, all while clicking as it goes, maybe with a ding at the end... pretty much the only reasonable way... if requiring 5 second timers was reasonable. Get a doll or toy with a drawstring, and adjust the length of the drawstring until you hit 5 seconds. Enjoy.
Mon, 02/20/2017 - 15:59
#8
Does it have to be 5 seconds?
Here's the deal: does it actually have to be EXACTLY five seconds, or could it be something a little less accurate? Depending on the theme of your game, you could have a variety of possible ways to go about this without breaking the bank.
Some ideas that come to mind (of varying complexity):
-A board that a marble rolls down, indicating that time is up when it reaches the bottom (maybe with some ridges to slow it down)
-A Dice tower with extra catches, and you're rolling a marble or similar
-An egg timer that's designed to turn a lot slower than an average egg timer
-An electronic button with a speaker (a la Scattergories or similar)
-A rubber popper (like these: https://www.amazon.com/Windy-City-Novelties-Rubber-Poppers/dp/B002R236SM) - the variation could keep people guessing as to how much time they have - may be fun for a push-your-luck game.
I just don't see why it has to be a sand timer when you could try a multitude of other things for a game you're hoping to produce.
Best of luck,
-Ruy343
Fri, 02/24/2017 - 19:54
#10
boardgameguru wrote:Er
Some
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Some ingenious answers here ha ha, but not very practical
I actually thought of another simple plastic design
Sorry cannot tell it yet
Sorry but.. Why?
James
http://www.JamesMathe.com
Production.
You know that 5 second rule game timer?
Would that be patented or could anyone make a similar one without getting like sued?
Any lawyers here please can help with this reply?