Hi, my name is Kenneth, I'm an inventor and hopeful entrepreneur; I invented a device that will transform two dimensional board games into three dimensional board games, though I confident that this will be the next big thing in board gaming, what I need is validation, what I need is the feedback of board gamers. I built a prototype of my device out of PVC, what I propose is to connect with local (the Bronx, NY) board gaming groups and permit them to use the device as they see fit, to record themselves and their friends using the device and upload the video to my Youtube page; moreover, I would like the most candid and most critical of feedback, because I cannot fix what I do not know what is broken.
My facebook page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqupzc7WLTXHyhxavr6ubDg
Something New - The 3D Platform.
what value does this add over 2d games?
I can see a size advantage but I'm not sure how much value I really place on that
(incidentally 3d chess has been around for a long time but never really taken off - what problems does that have and how have you solved them?)
The people here so far display an aversion to 3d in all aspects, with a standard response of "what can it add" and "it just adds complexity" but an unwillingness to actually look at or play with any implementation and then offer an informed comment. The same attitude is displayed toward any digital implementation or enhancement of a game.
You will need GAMES that use 3d or multilevel boards in order to test your platform/support/bracing prototype - after you have games you would then test vs alternate platform or paperwork methods (you are using the trunk and branch approach at the moment). Have you found any such games yet? My old clunky 1978 game uses 10 levels - see https://boardgamegeek.com/blog/5803/old-game-now-public-domain - but games with fewer levels might be better for testing your platform.
Have you looked for games that use multiple layers yet? Your platform approach remains a solution in search of a problem until those games appear (my 2016 revamp/redesign of my old game is not suited to your platform approach since it requires digital or clerical staff/referee and a reduced hidden info variant I am considering is not practical to produce in a physical version at any reasonable cost without having excessive paperwork).
Welcome to Flatland, where introducing a third dimension is a thread killer.
example:
http://www.bgdf.com/forum/game-creation/design-theory/there-still-need-s...
Kind of what was said ^up there.
You need games that are designed to be played in that way. You need to film a game being played so people can wrap their heads around the concept. Most war games are 2.5D- a flat surface with 3D features (figures, buildings, hills, vehicles, etc).
When I watched, I think I was like most would be, trying to figure out how a game off the shelf would fit into this system, most rely on line of sight. Logic & tactic would tell most to take the higher levels quickly to rain death to those below.
What I think is that you need to figure out how to easily adapt existing 2D games to this system. How to eliminate all the measuring devices, etc.
I also feel you should make the system small enough for a table top & develop games to be played on it.
I really hate to say it, but here goes- when I go to my local game shop and watch people play games, I rarely see many that would/could use a large system like this. Most won't/can't squat & stand over & over.
Having pets would also be a problem with having this set up & waiting to finish a game.
I can see something like this be used for a dungeon/sewer/cave/something game where you need to go down or up to get to the next area. Almost like a physical 3D representation of a video game.
Watched the 3 video's.
A lot of "not sure if trolling, or is..." meme's popping up in my head.
The video's don't explain your idea, at all. They just show something on different platforms in different altitudes. That, is not 3D. That is just stacking.
If your goal is to safe up room by stacking. That has already been done by improvising players. Then your idea isn't new.
If your goal is to add another dimensions in the form of game play. That too, is already done by improvising players. Again, your idea isn't new.
Adding 3D to 2D makes things complicated. Only 2D games that have 3D rules, could go into 3D. But new problems pop up.
The room for storage. 3D eats up a lot of it. And it is only for those hobbyists that like a game so much. They create 3D terrain for it. And that includes 3D workings, like tunnels and bridges.
If you keep it simple. Like how it has been done before. Then it might work. And you get something like this:
http://www.justwilliam.co.uk/william-4-web/ephemera-photos/boardgame2.JPG
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/4b/76/6b/4b766b961e9c9c7cf27d5...
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/5c/bc/a9/5cbca9fce509d4a3a3cc1...
https://boardgamegeek.com/camo/3741cddb0bd5a987059ae8fbb536a9482df7eb6d/...
https://sc01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1AEdWKXXXXXciXXXXq6xXFXXXG/wooden-tic-tac-...
https://coggaming.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/dscn1446.jpg
Makes me wonder, have you googled for 3D board games?
Perhaps it is better to design a couple of games yourself. That fits your idea.
Expecting other designers to contact you, while you only offer an idea. Has a success rate of close to 0. They want to see results first. Or you must have build up a name that makes them consider your idea.
Designers are not expecting their designs to be modified either. Or else I suggested to pick existing games. And try to implement the idea on them.
What you could do is... pick a game you like to play a lot. Design something similar (yet completely different, no copy). And add the 3D that you want.
If that has somewhat success, then you are one step further. Also, expect your first designs to fail.
Fail and learn from it. It is a road that everyone makes. And perhaps you also will reconsider, like me, if designing games is something you like. But overall, can or cannot do.
What x3m said is where I was going to go.
Maybe develop a table top version out of chipboard & a series of rogue-like games to go along with it.
I think a thing that throws off the video for most is the army men with bunkers and fences; it just doesn't convey the message you may be trying to get across.
Never EXPECT people to get something just by seeing it. Some will see a picture of it & instantly have ideas for it's use, others will see it fully set up & in play & still ask what it is.
Heh, 9 month gap there
Krone9
Hay, and thank you for your frank response; "what value does this add over 2d games", none. My device is not designed to replace two dimensional board gaming, it is design to be and add on, an accompaniment to two dimensional board games. It is design to expand the imagination by adding a third dimension to two dimensional board games. Eg; imagine, please - just for a moment; that you are playing a game that requires you to explore some dark, dank dungeon; normally you would have to spread all of your game board game out across a long, long table; and then proceed to move back and forth along said table, as you move your game piece from level to level, board to board pretending to descend into some imaginary hell. But all the while you are just moving back and forth along a two dimensional surface. Now, enter the 3D platform; with the 3D platform add to your gaming arsenal you can now take all of those level and stack them into the 3D platforms array, now you can move your game piece up and down through multiple levels, multiple boards, multiple maps.
What value the does the 3D Platform adds, the 3D Platform is limited only by your own imagination.
" Incidentally 3d chess has been around for a long time but never really taken off - what problems does that have and how have you solved them?"
Yes, Krone9, 3D chess has been around for a long time, since 1901 I believe, and since its inception into the chess kingdom the concept of three dimensional has grown and spawned many variants; but despite this, there has been no platform and no device that allows chess player to take advantage of them, nor to explore them.
Because of this oversight interest in three dimensional chess has languished. Today there are very few, but specialized three dimensional chess sets on the market, unfortunately, those few existing sets are exclusive; because you can only play their games, on their boards, with their pieces, and by their rule set. Meaning, if you wanted to explore or play another three dimensional variant you would have to buy a whole new set.
Enter, again - The 3D Platform; The 3D Platform will fill the deficit that has for too long been left empty. It will be the vehicle that will allow chess players to explore the forgotten kingdom., with the 3D Platform chess players can now explore a variety of three dimensional chess variants that was beyond their.