Game Design Showdown Dec 2005: "The Family That Preys .

Entry #2 - JAGSPILL
by Hambone

Number of Players: This game is for as many people as fit closely around a table with a little space between them. Minimum of 6.
Ages: 10 or older
Time: 20-30 minutes

Everyone gets three cards. One says "BLACK", one "WHITE", and the third says "MINORITY". There are two foam balls about 4" in diameter (similar to a Nerf ball), one is black and the other white.

Each person secretly selects one card to stick in the middle in front of them as their "bet" of which ball will be captured first. The cards remain face down until after a ball is caught.

Each person sits at the table with their hands on the table, their left arm underneath the right arm of the person to their left, so that their left hand is between the hands of the person to their left. As everone does this, each person is sitting with their left neighbor's right hand, and their right neighbor's left hand on the table between their own hands. The player "zone" consists of their two hands, and the two hands between them.

The two balls are positioned at opposite sides of the table in players' hands. The youngest player gives a count down and the balls begin to be passed from hand to hand in a clockwise order.

The balls both move clockwise around the table, with the goal of catching up with the other ball. If at any time a ball is out of control or out of reach of any hand, the game is immediately stopped. The last player to handle the ball loses 2 points. The balls are positioned back to where they were last in control, a countdown starts and gameplay resumes. A ball is considered caught when the ball chasing it enters the same player zone. As soon as any player notices a caught ball, they yell "JAGSPILL". Once a ball is successfully caught, it is time to reveal the "bets".

"BETS"
Each player that put a card in the middle with the color of the caught ball gets 5 points.
The "MINORITY" card refers to the color of the ball with the least bets. In the case of a tie, a minority card cannot win. If that color is the ball that is caught, the player with that card placed as their bet gets 10 points.
Every player that selects the wrong color, transfers 2 points to the first person on their right with a winning bet.
If only one person selects a color that wins (excluding minority cards), they get an additional 10 points.

After points are tallied, players place new bets and balls are repositioned for a new round. A countdown begins and play starts again. The game is over if a player gets 25 points.

Expansions:
Aside from the obvious collectability of all sorts of passing objects (imagine a stuffed cat and dog), this game can easily have variables for smaller children, alcohol drinking, or money gambling.

Entry #4 - Alibi
by Kreitler

“I suppose you’re wondering why I’ve gathered you all here.”

If you’ve ever wanted to say those words, Alibi might be the game for you.

Alibi is a light party mystery game for 5-10 players ages 13 and up. Players take turns acting as Detective, trying to find holes in the other players’ alibis before time runs out. Detectives earn points as they catch suspects’ lies and earn a big reward if they arrest a Prime Suspect.

The premise is simple: if you’re a Suspect, you’re dealt a hand of 4 cards at the start of the round. Each card shows an occupation (who), location (where), or object (what) keyword. All keywords relate to a central theme (“The Orient Express” in the basic game). These keywords will serve as the basis for your alibi.

After memorizing the keywords, you pass all your cards, face down, to other Suspects. Start with the player on your right and proceed counter-clockwise, passing 1 card at a time.

The Detective will then start asking questions to each Suspect in turn. The Detective can ask any question with a “who”, “what”, or “why” answer. You must answer with a single sentence. If another player can corroborate your story, you must identify him. If he can produce a card that matches a keyword in your answer, you’re off the hook. If he can’t, more suspicion is cast on you – and a little bit on him.

Example: you are dealt the following cards:
American Banker (who)
Turkey (what)
Wine (what)
Sleeper Car (where)

You pass your cards out to Dave (Banker), Jeff (Turkey), Julia (Wine), and Dori (Sleeper Car).

The Detective asks you, “Where were you when the murder took place?”
You reply “In the Sleeper Car with Dori.”

The Detective turns to Dori and says, “Is this true?”

Dori plays “Sleeping Car” face-up in front of you and answers, “Yes.” You have an alibi.

You are allowed to embellish your answer with extra keywords as long as it remains 1 sentence long. If you use a word that’s already on the table, it can’t serve to verify your alibi. You are allowed to use words that weren’t in your original hand.

Example: instead of saying “In the Sleeper Car with Dori,” you could have said, “In the Sleeper Car playing chess with Dori.” She could then play either Sleeping Car or Chess Board to back up your story.

Because all cards relate to a central theme, you’ll have some idea what keywords will fit the setting. However, it means that other players might use your words by accident.

Example: The Detective asks Dave, “Is it true you carved the turkey dinner that evening?” Dave, sensing a trap, replies “No. Julia and I spent skipped dinner and had wine and cheese in the observation car.” Julia plays the “Wine” card that you passed her at the start of the round. That card can no longer help you build an alibi.

The game comes with 50 red “suspicion chips” chips. You collect these as holes appear in your alibi. When you answer the Detective’s questions, you can choose to omit a corroborating player’s name. Since your alibi can’t be checked, you must draw 1 chip. If you name another player but he can’t support your alibi by playing a card, you draw 2 chips and he draws 1.

The Detective wants players to draw as many chips as possible. The round ends after 10 minutes of play or when someone collects 5 or more chips (thus becoming the “Prime Suspect”). When the round ends, the Detective gets 1 point per player holding any chips and 5 points if he identified a Prime Suspect.

To help him find a Prime Suspect, the Detective gets to secretly write down 1 Who, 1 What, and 1 Where answer on a pad of paper at the start of the round. These define the crime. If a player uses one of these keywords in his alibi, the Detective reveals the word to all players (hopefully with a dramatic accusation) and gives 2 chips to the current Suspect if no one supported his story and 3 chips if someone does support it (i.e., your alibi turns witness).

Example: At the start of the round, the Detective writes down “Conductor,” “Paris”, and “Neck tie”.
During questioning, he asks Dori, “Were you with the steward when the murder occurred?” She replies, “No, I was with the Conductor – Dave saw us.” Dave obligingly plays his card, at which point the Detective rubs his chin and says thoughtfully, “How interesting – because later that evening the Conductor turned up dead!” Dori collects 3 chips.

Expansion packs introduce decks with new themes:
Country Club Killers
Big Top Butchery
Murder at the Mall
etc.

Entry #6 - More....BRAINS!
(Ghastly Graveyard, Deluxe Starter Set w/ Grabby Hands)
by doho123

Using the 25 tiles provided, randomly build the Graveyard Map in a 5 by 5 square. Each tile has a Safety number on it (Safety number range from 15-40). Players are divided into either Zombies or PreZombies (Humans) through any known random means. Roughly 25% of the players should start as Zombies. PreZombies get character markers placed on the upper-left tile. Any PreZombie that makes it to the lower-right exits the Graveyard and wins. (For tougher PreZombie challenges, the Zombie ratio can be increased, or the Graveyard shape can be altered; for an easier challenge, the game can be started with less Zombies). Each Zombie gets a Grabby Hand.

PreZombies get dealt 8 Escape cards (Cards show numbers from -3 to 10) to start. Game begins!

PREZOMBIES MOVE: PreZombies move the markers one space vertically or horizontally on the Graveyard Map. PreZombies may discuss where they wish to move before moving. PreZombies that are on the same tile may freely exchange Escape cards.

After moving markers, PreZombies play any amount of face-down Escape cards from their hands in front of them. The sum total of the cards will be compared to the Safety value of the tile during the Reveal phase.

ZOMBIES GRAB!: All PreZombie players close their eyes. All Zombies "countdown" by chanting these words "Hungry...need...more...brains...NOW!" On the word "now!" all Zombies select a PreZombie by grabbing at them with their Grabby Hand. Selections by the Zombies should NOT be discussed beforehand. PreZombies can open their eyes now. When not using the Deluxe set, Zombies merely point instead of grabbing.

PREZOMBIES REVEAL: PreZombies flip over and reveal the total value of their Escape cards. Any PreZombie who exactly matches the Safety number on his tile with his value of Escape cards is safe from all Zombie grabs. Otherwise, a PreZombie is turned into a Zombie based on having the least amount of Escape points amongst the other PreZombies on his current tile. EXAMPLE: A PreZombie is turned into a Zombie if one Zombie grabs at him, and he has the lowest Escape total amongst the PreZombies on his tile. If 2 Zombies grab, then he is turned into a Zombie if he has the lowest, or 2nd lowest Escape point total; if 3 Zombies grab at him, then he is turned if he is third to last, second to last or last, etc...

If more Zombies grab at him than there are PreZombies on his tile, then the only way he is safe is if his Escape point total equals the Safety number of the tile.

A just-turned Zombie discards all of his cards and takes a Grabby Hand.

PreZombies that are not grabbed at are automatically safe.

Any PreZombies who survives AND matches the Safety number draws two new Escape cards automatically. Some tiles will offer bonus cards just for surviving on the card. Other will give bonus cards for PreZombies with the highest Escape total.

A new round starts. Game ends when all PreZombies have exited the board or when all players have become Zombies.

Hint: In general, PreZombies should keep together as only the "slowest" PreZombies will be typically lost. However, PreZombies are free to go off on their own in the hopes of collecting more cards, or for better matching Safety numbers. Other strategies include: trying to get Zombies to grab at you when you have matched the Safety number, and bluffing Zombies away from you when you have played ridiculously low-valued Escape cards. Conversely, Zombies should try and get a read on "tells" a PreZombie may have when playing low Escape cards, or when matching a Safety number.

EXPANSIONS:
Various new locations for maps/tiles: Montgomery Bringembeck Hospital, Restless Lincoln High School, Tombstone Central Mall, AirStrike 3 Military Base, etc.

New Advanced Escape card sets which can include weapons (ex: Baseball Bat, no escape points but reduces the amount of Zombies grabbing at you by 1) and ancient voodoo spells (ex: Elixer of Life: Select one Zombie grabbing you to return to PreZombie status. His marker starts on your current tile) to fight the Zombies.

For the real adventurous, Grabby Hand Dipping Slime! Zombies get to dip their Grabby Hand into a bowl of officially-sanctioned More...Brains! water-soluable slime before grabbing for their helpless victims.

And of course, more Grabby Hands!!

Entry #8 - Duke of the Hill
by Xaqery

A party game for 8 to 30 players.

Overview:
This game is played for the duration of the party as an overlay to the party. Ideally everyone at the party is playing the game at all times. People can do any other normal party activities while playing this game.

Each player receives one card that identifies who they are and how far up the hill they are from 0 to 6. Jesters are at the bottom at 0. The Duke is at the top at 6. Players will mostly keep this identity a secret. There can be several of each type of card in play except there is only one Duke. He is on top of the Hill and everyone should pay him GREAT RESPECT during his reign.

The player that has the DUKE card is not a secret. In fact this player may strut if he or she desires. The Duke only has to wait to defend the top of The HILL from challengers.

Next, each player gets a catch-phrase card also kept secret and handy. These cards are simple one or two-word phrases that are commonly said in a party setting. The game also comes with a number of blank cards. The host can use these to create more appropriate phrases if needed. Future expansions can have more phrases.

During the course of the evening if you hear someone (other than the DUKE) say your phrase you can then show them your catch-phrase card and you get to take an Action. Afterward you have to get a new catch-phrase card from the box.

Also, there are multiple copies of The HILL mini-game within the party area. Anytime a player wants they can challenge another player to a game of The HILL. If the challenge is accepted then they find an open game and play. The winner of the challenge gets to do an Action. If the game ends in a tie then nothing happens.

Actions:
When someone says your catch-phrase you can do one of two actions:
1. See their identity-card: They have to show you their identity card. If their number is one more than yours you can capture their card and move up the hill. Your old card is returned to the bottom of the deck and they have to take a new card from the top of the deck.

2. Blind Capture: Without looking you capture their card and they capture your card. Maybe you will climb the and maybe you will fall!

Any player that captures an Earl (5): either from an action or from a challenge gets to challenge the current Duke to a game of The HILL! The will be the starting player and the winner of the game is the new Duke. The old duke wins all ties.

The HILL mini-game for two players: Parts: 29 1” cubes – 3 yellow, 6 red, and 20 black.

On a flat surface the starting player selects one cube and places the cube by itself.

Players in turn choose one cube and place it squarely next to or on top of any other cube with following rules: The first level of the being built can not be larger than 4x4 cubes. The next level has to be a 3x3 set but can be anywhere on top of the first level. The last level is 2x2 and can be anywhere on top of the second level. When you are all done you will have a “Hill” of cubes.

Now players begin removing all the cubes. They remove two cubes per turn, in turn, starting with the starting player. First they remove one block for to score for themselves then one block for no-one that is placed off to the side. You can not remove a cube that is surrounded or has a cube on top of it. In the end each The starting player will have 8 cubes, the challenger will have 7 cubes, and there will be 14 cubes in the middle not scored.

Red cubes are worth 1 point each, yellow are worth 3 points each, and black cubes are 0 points. The winner is the player with the highest score.

Expansions: You can expand this game by introducing new and different Mini-Games.

Entry #10 - You are in my team now
by Johan

Background
This is a drawing/acting/singing/synonym family/party game. Each player is represented by 3 cards. The cards are spread among the other players. The players will challenge each others to get be able to trade cards in a way that they want.
If a player manages to get all cards that represent another player, he/she have that player to his/hers team.

Number of players: 4-16 (infinitive but that will make a long game)
Game time: 30-90 minutes
Type of game: family game.

Components
- 48 Blank cards
- 16 Player challenge markers
- 16 Team order markers
- A number of Duel decks (any number of cards per deck)
- Sand timer
- 2 duel dice (1 category and 1 duel type).
- 96 I’m-the-winner markers
- 1 Last-turn-biggest-loser marker.

Preparations
1. Place the challenge decks, the sand timer and the “I’m the winner” markers in the middle of the board.
2. Each player receives 3 blank cards and 2 player markers. The player put the 3 cards together and draw a full size self portrait over the 3 cards. They also draw a quick self portrait (only the head) and write there name on both of the player markers.
3. The player left to the player that was ready last will receive the Last-turn-biggest-loser marker.
4. Take the cards, shuffle them and deal 3 cards to each player.

The turn
The turn has the following sequence:
- Select cards
- Declare challenges
- Duels
- Cash in winner markers
- Collect players

Select cards
At the same time, all players selects one card from there hand and place front up in front of them. If a player has one or several of there own set cards on there hand, all of those cards has to be placed front of him/her.

Challenges
Starting with the player that has Last-turn-biggest-loser marker, he/she place his challenge marker on another player. The next player does the same thing until all players have made there challenges.
The only restriction is that a player can not place there challenges on them self or on a member in there team.

Duels
Starting with the player that has Last-turn-biggest-loser marker, the players will do the duels vs. the players they challenged. When that duel is completed, the next player in order does his/hers duel. A duel will be cancelled if the challenged player doesn't have a card in front of him/her.
The challenged player selects any Duel deck on the table. Then roll the two dice. Both players will make the duel according to the dice.
The winning player takes both cards (the one in front of the players) to the hand. Then he/she select any card on the hand and place it in front of the looser.
The looser takes the Last-turn-biggest-loser marker.

Duel cards and duel dice
The category duel dice just show what number on the duel card that shall be used (1-6).
The duel type dice has the following: Drawing, Acting, Singing, Synonym, 2x Quiz.
In case of a Drawing, Acting, Singing, Synonym result, both duelists get a card and will try to present the answer on the card for the other players. The player that first guess right get an I’m-the-winner marker.
In case of a Quiz the quiz on the card is read to the dualists.

Cash in winner markers
With start with the player left to the player with the Last-turn-biggest-loser marker, the players can trade cards with the cards on the table.
With three I’m-the-winner markers, the player can trade them to trade one card from a player that did not have any cards on the table. Observe that you have to return a card.

Collect players
With start with the player left to the player with the Last-turn-biggest-loser marker, the players, a player with a full set of cards of another player can cache in that player. That player will now belong to that player and everything he/she does for the team. The player is placed after the player. The player hands over his/hers cards to the team leader and the turn passes to the next player that can do the same.
Example: Adam, John, Maria, Lisa, Santa and David are playing. Maria collects Adam. Maria takes Adams team order marker and place it after hers marker. John collects Davis and does the same.
Lisa collects John and takes both John and David's marker in order after hers. Maria collects Santa and in the final turn she also collect Lisa. The final order where Maria-Adam-Santa-Lisa-John-David. Maria is the winner and David is in the last place.

Upgrades and adds on
New sets of Duel cards with new variants can be added. New duel dice with duel types can be included.

Entry #12 - GOOD FENCES MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS
by Zomulgustar

a game of Larcenous Skullduggery for a Rather Large Number of Players
(supports 8+)

Welcome to the Thieves' Guild. I am the Guildmaster, and you're not. But that might change soon...I’m getting on in years, and it’s about time I found myself a worthy successor. That aside, we follow the Golden Rule here: He who gives me the most gold makes the rules. No matter how humble your origins, pay your dues and the skills you used to earn them will be recognized. Of course, as you go up in rank, you'll find you spend more of your time watching your own back than your victims’ pursestrings...but that’s what your underlings are for.

COMPONENTS
City Map: constructed so every region is connected to exactly three others by one path of each color. (different player counts may require different maps.)

N pairs of matching rank tokens (one in hand, one on the board)
N sets of three colored stones (red,green,blue)
Many victim tokens
Even more gold coins

SETUP
Players agree beforehand to play for a set amount of time or number of rounds. Designate a Guildmaster, who assists in upkeep/transactions with the Guild Coffers, and has final authority in any disputes, but is not otherwise considered a player. The Guildmaster distributes the rank tokens numbered from 1 to N to the N players as they please, one to each player. Distribute an equal amount of starting gold to each player.

DEFINITIONS
Leader: the player with the lowest-numbered rank token in a region.
Pack : the set of all thieves in a region.

SPECIAL NOTE ON DISCUSSION:
When players ‘discuss’, they may make any agreements they like, but are not bound by their word later, supposed ‘honor among thieves’ notwithstanding. The only groups allowed to confer privately are complete packs. All other negotiations must be public. If the Guildmaster allows, communications may be encoded, but must be visible/audible to the other players.

At any time, a Leader may unilaterally end the discussion in their group and move on to the following action immediately. The Guildmaster may also end discussion for ALL groups, though they should use this power in moderation.

PLAY

1. MOVEMENT
Each turn, players discuss(see above), then simultaneously reveal stones to indicate which path they will follow.

2. CHALLENGE
Once movement is resolved, new packs are formed, and their leadership is determined. After discussion, every non-Leader in each pack secretly selects a colored stone (red stones mean 'Challenge', other colors mean 'Support'), and simultaneously reveal them.

If no 'Challenge's were revealed, the Leader may choose to swap tokens with another pack member, making them the new Leader. Otherwise, they retain power, and either way play proceeds to the next phase.

If any 'Challenge's were revealed, it's too late for anyone to switch sides. After discussion, all pack members simultaneously reveal the amount of gold they’re willing to invest toward the challenge or defense. Remember that all discussion must be open within the pack. Leave these stones and gold undisturbed for the remainder of the turn.

If the challengers have the larger total, the highest-ranking (lowest-numbered) challenger takes the Leader's token, becoming the new Leader. If the supporters have a equal or larger total, no tokens change hands. Play proceeds to the next phase.

3. LOOT
The amount of gold gathered increases with three factors: the number of victim chips in the region, the number of thieves, and their total skill (the number on their token...note higher is now better). Only thieves that were on the current Leader's side in the previous phase are counted as cooperating.

The Leader divides this gold among their pack in any way they choose.

If the challengers won in the previous phase, the new Leader may also freely reallocate the rank tokens among the pack, though they must retain the highest rank (lowest number).

4. UPKEEP
All Victims in thief-occupied regions are removed, and all other regions add one Victim Chip as they let down their guard. Money invested in during challenges is discarded to the Guild Coffers.

VICTORY
Play continues until the agreed-upon endtime, at which point the player with the most gold wins, and has earned the right to be Guildmaster for the next game. If there is a tie for the most gold, the player with the highest rank wins.

EXPANSION POSSIBILITIES

1. 'Jackal of All Trades' With the addition of this expansion, each player has a 'day job' which grants him special abilities beyond those of his rank/skill.

2. 'The Unkindest Cut of All' The City Guard finally noticed the Guild...and they suddenly seem to know too much about where and when you’re going to strike. Have your buddies sold you out? And if not, perhaps you should do unto others before they do unto you.