So on Robostrat’s thread asking for help naming his game, I actually mentioned the current working title of the game I am designing. Soulfinger called out some pretty important points regarding the “shade” of Grey, and whether or not it’d be a good idea to call a game that.
So, I thought I’d take Robostrat’s approach and mention a little bit about it, and see if the group thinks we have a solid title, or if it doesn’t work at all. The information below is not my formalized elevator speech, so give it a little grace. Just trying to get information across. (;
Thematically:
The game is a fantasy strategy game set in a world called Altanruhl. Unfortunately, Altanruhl is being destroyed by a force called the Greyscape, which is a greyish, almost living destructive energy that has ripped holes in the fabric of the world. The advance of Greyscape has caused conventional forms of travel to be almost impossible between regions, requiring magical gates (arches the size of cities) to be used to pass from one area to another. The spread of Greyscape continues to envelop the world until it will ultimately be destroyed.
But there is hope! (For one player). The all-powerful mystic super-power in the world has issued a proclamation. The kingdom that is able to earn his favor will be saved from this world before it is destroyed. He will magic the people of that kingdom away to a new world untouched by the hellish Greyscape.
Time is running out for Altanruhl, and only one kingdom will be able to survive the Greyscape.
Mechanically:
Each player assumes control of a Kingdom (“race” that has unique traits or abilities to add variety to gameplay). Players build armies, recruit champions (which can vary from game to game), place gates on the board, and try to gain control of various lands (which also change from game to game). Once a player has control of lands, they can build structures on them, which can be used to gain spells (Special cards that grant specific abilities or actions) or other resources.
Throughout this, players have opportunities to get victory points. The first player to 30 VP, or the player with the most VP at the end of 8 turns, wins.
So… Is Greyscape the right name? Easy enough to pull out a “So, anybody want to play Greyscape”? Evocative? Too similar to other games? Other thoughts?
