Folks,
One of thee best original games - www.zhadu.com
- Maleqi
Hi Maleqi
Sorry, Macromedia Flash is not installed.
But I did see it some time ago, the presentation is beautiful and the game looked like fun.
Are you the designer? If so, could you tell us more about your game, did it really come to you in a dream?
The Game Design subforum is used to discuss all aspect of game design. I don't understand what you are expecting from this thread. Please fill us in so we can start the discussion.
Welcome!
Sorry about the "cross-posting". I'm new to the forum.
Alright, honest mistake. I'll just delete the other post but if you want to write a real review and post it in Game Review, no one will stop you :)
Its design is very simple and yet the depth of strategy is unique.
For me, the unorthodox shape of the board as well as the apparent quality of the whole thing was an appeal. I did skim over the rules but don't remember quite well.
I'm not convinced about the depth of strategy though. What makes it so special in your opinion? Are there opening moves, defense and offense strategies?
Didn't like the site. It's aesthetically nice, but having to sit through 30 seconds of testimonials without a "skip intro" button is a nuisance. Also, as a game player, I want to know how you actually play the game. The philosophy stuff is well and good, but I'd never even consider buying the game if I couldn't learn in advance how to play. It looks really nice, but how do you play?
I have to agree without having a better idea what the game is i would never spend $25 on it let alone the $140. You need some details on how the game is played or at least hint at it.
Man, I hate that site. While I was trying to verify the price, I had to sit through the testimonials again. It looked to me like it costs $40 - $125 depending on how "elegant" an edition you wanted. It does look pretty, but not being a big fan of "games as art" (not that I object to the concept, but just don't engage in it), this would be back in the line behind a nice chess set, which at least I can figure out how it's actually played...
You can actually download the rules on the site in the "Mastery" section. It is a pdf file and you can also download the notation system. There is a free quarterly journal (pdf ) called, "the Sharing" which is pretty cool. It gives alot of insight into the strategies/tactics. I believe all you have to do is request to be on the mailing list.
I like Zhadu not only for the aesthetics, storyline, etc. but the gameplay is quite original. The objective of game is to "remember the Sharing". This happens when the total value of your first and last capture equals four. Other stones captured "in-between" are simply removed.
Each player has 5 stones that has a numerical value - 1 stone, 2 stone, 3 stone, 4 stone and the (1,2,3 stone - it can be the value of 1,2, or 3). The value of each stone
determines the number of spaces it can move on the board. Here is where the game gets interesting because stones are able to move a number of spaces within a triangle - the 3 corners and the center. Learning these "routes" are key to masterying the game.
What is also cool is that there is no standard "setup". Players only have to place their stones in the designated spaces, but are able to choose which stone goes where.
Overall, I enjoy (borderline obsess) Zhadu. My friend told me it got a nice review in Abstract Strategy Games Magazine back in Fall 2002. I paid $40.00 for a nice walnut board.
The site could be easier, but the game is worth it.
- Maleqi
I like Zhadu not only for the aesthetics, storyline, etc. but the gameplay is quite original. The objective of game is to "remember the Sharing". This happens when the total value of your first and last capture equals four. Other stones captured "in-between" are simply removed.
Can they return to the board? Otherwise, it seems like the board would get sparse and the game could potentially lock up.
Each player has 5 stones that has a numerical value - 1 stone, 2 stone, 3 stone, 4 stone and the (1,2,3 stone - it can be the value of 1,2, or 3). The value of each stone
determines the number of spaces it can move on the board. Here is where the game gets interesting because stones are able to move a number of spaces within a triangle - the 3 corners and the center. Learning these "routes" are key to masterying the game.
It does sound interesting. Thanks for the more fleshed out description!
The removed stones don't return and you would think that the board would empty pretty fast. But because of the objective, its tricky in way. Since the objective depends on the total value of the first and last stone being equal to 4, part of the real challenge lies in deciding which stone to remove first.
Here's break-down taken from the rules:
"If the first stone you capture is the:
- (4 stone), then you have successfully "remembered the Sharing"
- (123 stone), then you must now capture the 1stone, 2 stone or 3 stone to win.
- (3 stone), then you must capture the 1stone or 123stone to win.
- (2 stone), then you must capture the 123 stone to win.
- (1 stone), then you must capture the 3 stone or 123 stone to win. "
From this, you can see that you may end up in a situation were your opponent has captured your (2 stone) for example and must now capture your (123 stone) in order to win. But because you haven't captured any stones yet, their (4 stone) is still vulnerable and rendered helpless until a first capture is made by you.
One issue of the quarterly journal talks about the highest or "most gracious" game being one in which you are able to trap or "hold" the opponent's (4 stone) before any stones have been removed from the game at all.
I suggest downloading the rules and getting an issue of the free journal for more insight. I'd like to see what you think...
- Maleqi
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Hi Hpox,
Sorry about the "cross-posting". I'm new to the forum.
Actually, I'm not the designer. I discovered the game a few weeks
ago through a friend and sort-of fell in love with the game. Its design
is very simple and yet the depth of strategy is unique.
I had a real interesting conversation with the designer via the email
supplied through his site - listen@zhadu.com. I sent him an email recently
to try and get him to join in this forum.
Cross your fingers....
- Maleqi