I'm Thomas,
I really really really like designing board games. I think I like designing them more than playing them, and I like playing my designed games even more!
Designing a board game is like solving a very difficult puzzle, one that can always be solved to a further degree...
Isn't it awesome!!!
To create something that just works together seamlessly, is engaging, entertaining, thought provoking, innovative, beautiful, educational, and downright amazing... that is my goal when making a game. I know reach that goal at some point.
So yeah, let's make some dang good games!
ThomasMH
Thanks for the welcome Sam,
Really, most of the games I've played have some form of elegance... not to say the they are "elegant" games, but that some aspect(s) of them could be considered elegant. The use of dice to determine movement is often a very elegant mechanic (though I don't particularly like it). Another example would be the capturing mechanic in "Go"; very simple, intuitive and logical. I'm might even suggest that "Go" is one of the most elegant games in existence (arguably).
Personally though, I'm more a fan of the modern "Designer Games", like Puerto Rico, Tigris and Euphrates, Dominion, etc.
-In Puerto Rico, the inclusion of all the players every turn and the reliance on human judgment (rather than chance) to create a feeling of randomness is very elegant.
-Tigris and Euphrates is a very complex game, and I wouldn't say that it's elegant, but many of it's elements are elegant. The ability to claim a kingdom with leaders is one example.
-Dominion... is just awesome. Everyone likes it because there's a good balance between making your own decisions and having the game make your decisions for you, so it's pretty light, but it's infinitely repayable and often very enjoyable to formulate a completely unique strategy given the cards in use. In my opinion, the core mechanic of the game (using your deck to build your deck) is very elegant.
Great challenge by the way!
Currently I'm working on a game about China during the Song Dynasty, working title being "Song". The purpose of the game is to govern the workflow in the land to best provide for the people in your village and, in turn, make your village the happiest village in the land. I put lots of emphasis on the prosperous nature of the Song Dynasty and the roles of different classes in a community. The theme isn't mind-blowing, but I'm really working on perfecting the flow of play, as well as the fun-factor.
I'll post it soon to get some feedback.
ThomasMH