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Playtesters wanted for strategic card game called "Cold War"

13 replies [Last post]
Tue, 11/24/2015 - 07:53
krialf
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Joined: 11/21/2015
three_examples3-01.png

Hi,
I'm looking for people interested in receiving a physical copy of my game Cold War.

Brief introduction:
In Cold War board game the players add cards to their board which represents their nation. These cards come in different tiers and with different costs, and benefit the player with different resources and other bonuses. The nations, representing territories of proxy wars during the Cold War era, and comes with capacity limits. This capacity limit forces the players to optimize their production to be able to draw new cards and ultimately support a growing military force. Players win by attacking other players, and by playing certain high tier cards.

Target audience: The game is mid-weight, accessible to entry-level players, with enough depth to satisfy deep strategy players. Two optional add-ons to the core game add new layers of strategy. 2-5 players, recommended for 3-4 players. Play time: 60-90 minutes.

The rulebook can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3sIY2ARLk1STzBIdmw3cDdYSDA/view

Let me know if you're interested in playtesting it, and I'll ship you a physical copy of the prototype.

Also, I welcome input/feedback/critique to the rulebook.

Edit: Added example cards

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Thu, 01/07/2016 - 18:01
#1
Mr Doctor
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Joined: 02/11/2013
Great cards!

Those cards look awesome and as the Cold War is something of a favourite topic of mine so I'd sure like to help you out!

I've just skimmed the rules and I have to say that it feels like it is written by someone who knows the game and the rules almost too well. Almost as if the game has lived far too long in the designers head that he (or: you I guess) takes for granted the audience knows all of the functions, mechanics and even about the Cold War itself. Maybe you should try to add some history into the rules for flavour and theme.

I'm a little pressed for time ATM but I will read the rules again more thorough soon.
That said I'd like a copy to try out if I'm not too late to the party.

Best wishes
Håkan

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Fri, 01/15/2016 - 05:52
#2
krialf
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Joined: 11/21/2015
Greatly appreciate your feedback

Hi Håkan,

I forgot to subscribe to this thread, so I did not get to see you comment before now.

Your point regarding the rulebook is probably very very true, I'm constantly trying to make the rules more streamlined and easy to learn. Any input is very valuable.

Here's the latest version, with some minor changes to the game phases, examples and grammar:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3sIY2ARLk1SV19aQ0RuZGkyT2s/view?usp=sh...

I did include names of head of states during the Cold War in the examples, but play testers found the names to weird and just distracting - so I changed them into generic (English) names.

Do you have any specific suggestion in terms of flavour and theme? I will add some black and white photos, maybe I can add small boxes with snippets of historical information? I'll play around with a few ideas, and pm you my suggestions, ok?

A couple of play testers just received the fifth version of the game, and I want to wait a little to get their feedback before sending out more copies. If you don't mind waiting I would be very grateful if you'd like to try the sixth version - in a month or two. If so, please pm me your physical address.

Cheers,
Kristian

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Fri, 01/15/2016 - 14:13
#3
killerkilroy
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Joined: 10/04/2012
Looks great

This looks like you've put a lot of time and effort into it. I'm working my way through the rules now and so far it's pretty good! I'd love to try this with my game group. If you have PnP files there's no need to ship anything, I can just print my own trial version.

Two questions.

First, was it a deliberate choice to use "structurA" instead of "structurE"? It almost seems like a typo, but I could see it being that way for flavor/thematic reasons.

Second, have you considered a different bullet icon? The one you have doesn't read very...bullety, to me. Perhaps an icon that has a more distinctive rifle bullet shape (with a stepped neck and a more tapered end) would help.

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Sun, 01/17/2016 - 16:44
#4
krialf
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Joined: 11/21/2015
Thanks!

First; I'll try to compile a PnP version of the game - and PM you the files as soon as possible. Thanks for offering to play test.

Regarding your questions:

1. I deliberately spelled it "Structura" and "Populus" for thematic purposed, using latin to make it sound more "language neutral" - universal.

However, if the majority find it distracting, I've no problems rewriting it as "Structure". English is my second language, and I've primarily played with other Norwegians - saying Structura (as opposed to Structure) sounds better in Norwegian I guess:-)

2. One problem is when I incorporate the bullet icon within text on the cards - small/narrow bullets (like a rifle bullet) becomes very small and hard to make out as a bullet. But, I'll have another look at it, and upload some examples.

Thanks for your input,

Kristian

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Mon, 01/18/2016 - 15:03
#5
jacob_w
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Joined: 01/15/2016
Hey krialf, That sounds like

Hey krialf,

That sounds like a really interesting game. I'd love to playtest it for you! First I'll play it with just 2, take notes then I'll take it to my weekly group and test it at 4 players and get feedback from all of them.

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Tue, 01/19/2016 - 07:05
#6
krialf
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Joined: 11/21/2015
Playtesting the game

Thanks jacob_w,

I'm currently awaiting the feedback from playtesters of the fifth prototype version. I'd gladly put you on the list for the sixth version once the current playtesters have come with their input.

So, if you don't mind waiting a month or so, and want to be on the list for the sixth version, please pm me your address.

Cheers,
Kristian

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Mon, 01/25/2016 - 15:37
#7
Calcapobe
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Joined: 01/23/2016
Play testing

I would be glad to play test your game just let me know what I need to do.

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Wed, 02/03/2016 - 03:10
#8
ryanfreeberg
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Joined: 10/31/2015
Would love to

I'd love to playtest this with my group. I'll play the heck out of it and give you any feedback we have.

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Wed, 02/03/2016 - 08:21
#9
Hellper
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Joined: 01/31/2016
Looks nice! T'd be happy to

Looks nice! T'd be happy to test it.

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Sat, 02/06/2016 - 18:26
#10
Arcuate
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Joined: 02/05/2016
I'd be happy to playtest

I'd be happy to playtest this, and might be able to help with proof-reading rules and so on.

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Tue, 02/09/2016 - 03:39
#11
krialf
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Joined: 11/21/2015
Playtesters update

PM'ed and received addresses from the last 3 enquiries.

Sixth version is almost finished (10 out of 110 cards need some layout re-adjustments) and I'll ship out copies, and prepare PnP as soon as possible (probably within a week or two).

[Teaser]: added a sixth Ideology in v6, "Corruption", inspired by watching the Narcos series and reading about Colombia in the 70s and 80s. Also added 2 new Nations packs (5 Nations in each): "Southeast Asia" and "Central America". These have obviously not been tested, but can easily be omitted if they are broken (or fixed with a sharpie).

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Thu, 03/10/2016 - 09:15
#12
Calcapobe
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Joined: 01/23/2016
Playtester

I would like to playtest your game I gave a game group and we would be glad to test and give our opinion.

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Thu, 03/10/2016 - 11:02
#13
krialf
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Joined: 11/21/2015
Thanks!

Hi Calcapobe,

Thanks, I'll put your name down for the next version.
You sent me a Texas address earlier, is that still valid?

The game is up to 5 players, but I recommend it for 3-4 players.
However, if you know 100% you will only play it 2 player, please let me know, and I can adjust the number of cards accordingly.

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