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How much variety to you prefer in a strategy game?

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Pt314
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Joined: 12/31/1969

Yep, still working on my big stratagy game project. I feel that I have almost completed all of the main game mechanics and such. Now I just need to make the cards/board.

Is it preferable that I have a few familiar pieces/cards, (Such as in chess or poker) or that I have a large amount? (Collectable Card games)

I want to have replayability a big element of my game, but does that require that I have so many cards that each game could be radically different? Any thoughts?

SVan
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Joined: 10/02/2008
How much variety to you prefer in a strategy game?

Quote:
Is it preferable that I have a few familiar pieces/cards, (Such as in chess or poker) or that I have a large amount? (Collectable Card games)

I think that it depends on the game. I think a strategy game can be good with a lot of pieces, if the layout is good and if it doesn't complicate the game too much (axis and allies makes a good example of this.)

My GDW game will have a lot of components, but the game in itself is simple. Some of the components (i believe) help in making it more simpler. If I find out that they aren't they will get thrown out. I'm very strict about balance and also highly against useless things in games. It's almost like a disease :roll:

Quote:
I want to have replayability a big element of my game, but does that require that I have so many cards that each game could be radically different? Any thoughts?

I don't think more cards can neccesary add better options to your game. If you have more cards, there is possibilty that cards won't even be seen during the game. For a 5-6 player card game, I figure on 100-140 cards depending upon how many cards a player gets to see.

I think the only way to add something new to your game is through a mechanic, either new or recycled. It needs to be something that is going to keep the game balanced, but adds something new, something fresh, and something fun to the game.

IngredientX
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Joined: 07/26/2008
How much variety to you prefer in a strategy game?

SVan wrote:
I think the only way to add something new to your game is through a mechanic, either new or recycled. It needs to be something that is going to keep the game balanced, but adds something new, something fresh, and something fun to the game.

I agree with SVan here, for a few reasons.

1) First and foremost: less components = less cost to produce. This is good news to whoever's publishing your game, especially if it's you.

2) KISS. The more different kinds of cards you have, the more time you have to spend playtesting to make sure there are no broken or unbalanced card combinations.

3) If your game uses cards the way most games use cards (i.e. you randomly draw a few cards per turn), then it's not really strategy. You can't plan to play a card if you don't realistically know when it's going to come up. More cards = more tactics, but not necessarily more strategy. Chess is an incredibly deep strategy game, with only a few different kinds of pieces for either player.

I'm assuming you're working on an "all-in-one" board/card game, not a CCG.

Best of luck!

Pt314
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Joined: 12/31/1969
How much variety to you prefer in a strategy game?

Yes, it is an all in one game that I am working on.

Actually the cards in my game aren't used in the same way as traditional card games. Instead of having a hand, the cards built up the terrain. Then when one of your pieces steps off of one, you may have it aquire the card. These cards will then be used for what properties your unit would have. (What kind of creature it is, equippable items like weapons and armor, and spells).

SVan
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Joined: 10/02/2008
How much variety to you prefer in a strategy game?

That is very interesting, I like that idea a lot. I still feel more cards will not add more to the game in itself, but you do need enough cards so that players don't run out of them faster than you want them to.

Pt314
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Joined: 12/31/1969
How much variety to you prefer in a strategy game?

Exactly, I want enough cards to produce the effect I wan't, but I don't want to possible ruin it with too many (besides its more work too, that might be thrown out).

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