[Review] Splendor: The race for gems, property and nobility.

I thought a bit of a "Spoiler" was that our previous two (2) games were a bit Black "Heavy" and I thought that this would be a valid strategy. So this 3rd game, I focused on collecting Black Onyx Gems and had a total of six (6) of them.

This didn't really help me AT ALL! No Nobles visited but I did collect on ONE (1) 2 Point Card which required six (6) Black.

But again a "dirtier" 3rd Game would have been for one of my opponents to Reserve this six (6) Black card to deny me 2 Points and earn a Joker. Hehehe... Yeah we were definitely not playing as "friendly" as we did the first two (2) games!

Hahaha. I guess that's a HIDDEN "purpose" behind the Reserving of cards...!

Best.

I actually found out that there is a set of FOUR (4) Expansions to the ORIGINAL game. They are apparently all COMPATIBLE with each other and they add to the "core" experience a bit of additional strategy. I will check that Expansion out as I bought it ONLINE today.

The RESERVATION system is a MUST in Adult Gaming. Why???

Well if you want a card, just reserve it... And get a GOLD Token. In your version (Marvel) you get a GRAY token.

It is important especially when a player is TRYING to win the game. You can easily RESERVE one of the LAST cards he/she needs to win the game. It's a bit of "Take-That" and we enjoy that extra level of "messing". It's also good during the game itself since you get "1" GOLD Token (which is a wildcard too).

Can't wait to get the FOUR (4) Expansions and see how our game nights evolve from START to FINISH!!!

Thanks for sharing your EXPERIENCE... I mean, it made me LEARN that there were expansions to the ORIGINAL game.

Once I get those expansions, I will see IF I can CREATE an "Expansion" for the game... I already have an IDEA and it has to do with the "reservation" system (e.g. the GOLD Tokens) ... But I'll share when I get the other cards from the expansion itself.

Notice it will not work with the "Marvel" Version because it's specific to the ORIGINAL game (GOLD Tokens) ... Because the ART is different too... It's all about GEMSTONES in the ORIGINAL game ... And that's what this "expansion idea" is all about. It adds an element of "RISK" to the use of "reservation".

I'll see what ELSE I can come up with... I never thought of designing an EXPANSION of "Splendor"... Now I actually believe I can come up with something NEAT and cool... I can even probably SELL it ONLINE too!

Anyhow... I know we PREFER the "original" version probably because it is LESS "commercial". Don't get me WRONG, I LOVE "Marvel", I just know that watching a video for the two (2) versions, the "Marvel" version would NOT excite my players (TBH).

Again Thanks for sharing... It's nice to know there is another FAN of Splendor in our ONLINE Gaming Community.

Cheers and all the best!

This reminds me of the OLD "Sierra" Video Game "Gold Rush!". It was one of the FEW games that I bought with my actual money ... Way back in the Late 80s. I saved up and share it with a Friend. I had the strangest computer EVER. It was a 8088... But you had to PRESS Ctrl-Alt-"+" to enable the accelerated mode. Many years after taking the PC apart, I realized that the GRAPHICS CARD was SET to CGA... 4 Color mode in Higher Resolution (which was like 320 x 200 pixels). But there was a SWITCH (dip switch), I could change and get EGA... 16 Color mode!

Imagine that. I had a 16 EGA Adapter that was set to 4 CGA Mode!

Wish I knew that when I had that PC operating... 16 Colors was the GOLD STANDARD Back then! Hahaha.

Just a little reason why I was so motivated to MAKE the "Prospector" Expansion for Splendor... I'm waiting to see what TGC gets as DICE. And then I'll add those to the game and we'll see how the price of the game goes up because I NEED FIVE (5) 16mm Standard D6s (in five colors: Red, Green, Blue, White, and Black)!

Anyhow just some retro-nostalgia about why(?) I felt so drawn to make this Expansion... It also reminds me of Steven's (@let-off studios) "Coal N' Write" game where you mine for all kinds of minerals...

This "Prospector" Expansion is only for GOLD!

And when the game will be available to purchase ... You will see, I made a bit of EFFORT to make the theme of "Gold" be the focus of the cards themselves.

Trying to make an "Artistic" IMPACT! Hehehe.

Just a quick FYI, the "The Game Crafter" (TGC) page is DONE (100%). I completed the Action Shots today and the Background Image and Logo for the TGC Sales Page.

The game Description I had complete yesterday, just did a REVIEW to ensure that there are NO ERRORS or TYPOS. That took like 30 minutes to review and ensure that there were no misspellings.

The Action Shots look good too... There are ONLY six (6) of them, one for each "CardBack" and then a Card Front to display the cards for the buyers... No secrets ... Everything is revealed and I show what the cards look like to the potential buyers. This way there is no "Buyer Remorse" when it comes to buying this Expansion.

I am waiting for the Game to be MADE & DELIVERED... So I wrapped up the page to ensure everything is ready. I will PLAYTEST the prototype as soon as I get it and the reality is that it may take 1-Month for that to happen.

But the TGC Page looks great, original "Background", Nice "Logo" (The name), all the Action Shots (To show what the final product looks like) and of course a grand "description" to both entice and interest potential buyers!

For now the rest is ON-HOLD until I get my Prototype and TGC gets more dice. We'll have to wait for BOTH of these to happen.

Cheers all!

But I use my own website to generate the Barcodes. They are at 150 DPI and generated as PNGs instead of the quality losses of JPEGs images. Much easier to work with PNGs as there is no loss of quality when increasing the RESOLUTION.

Bottom line: I added the PURCHASED barcode to the "Prospector" Box.

And now it looks GREAT and is 100% OFFICIAL. I even took the time to UPLOAD the updated Box Bottom to TGC too...

All that is left is the ruleset ... Which I will work on in the next few days.

Cheers all!

Well currently the expansion features cards and dice. But I require a ruleset too... To explain how the game is played, where do the cards go and more details as to HOW(?) the game integrates with the "core" game.

Between you and I, I also am thinking of including a "Bandit" Pawn. It behaves a bit similarly to Catan's Robber, however it is NOT subject to dice rolling, instead a player positions the "Bandit" and he stays on that card for the Round (and/or Turn... Still debating the issue).

What does he DO???

Well it's pretty simple too... But it comes from the games that we have played. Usually when it comes down to the last few Turns... One player has the advantage and will win the game. What happens next is the opponents play a bit bitchy and RESERVE the card he/she needed to WIN.

Since this mechanic is altered. I'd figure a "Bandit" could go one EXTRA step to ensure that another card can be "prevented from collecting" and it tightens down the game a bit more.

Obviously there will be a time where there will be more than TWO (2) Options to WIN and maybe an opponent can steal a VICTORY too.

Specifically, the expansion has:

-1 Small Pro Box
-1 Ruleset (Folio)
-1 Insert/Divider
-1 Black Chip (Bandit role)
-1 Black "Bandit" Pawn
-5 Different Color D6s
-18 "Prospect" Cards

I know it may seem like NOT a LOT. But the prices at "The Game Crafter" (TGC) are rather "expensive" so I cannot add too much more since it would bump up the price of the game more than the current $24.99 USD price point that I have.

I make like $5.00 USD per box as it currently stands. Not much ... But I hope that it will spread further and I will discuss with some of my LOCAL stores to see what can be done with "Prospector".

If you want a copy, I can send you one???

I mean I bought "Splendor" from you... So if you WANT to have a copy of the "Expansion", I can send you a copy (once everything is more firmed up...) I still have to complete the Ruleset and it will be in English and French.

Commitment to local sales too... So-to-speak.

Please let me know!

@ludicioso said that they DO NOT play with the "Reservation" Mechanism. Well there is a REASON we DO (My Family and I)... Like I said, most players RESERVE to STEAL a Victory (eg. You need Card "X" to win ... So someone will RESERVE it!)

But with "Prospector", that means that the player who RESERVED the Winning Card has to replace it with a "Prospect" Card (from the "Prospector" Expansion).

Here's the thing, the "Prospect" card all have POINTS. So even IF you BLOCK an opponent, probably the "Prospect" card will GIVE THEM THE VICTORY ANYHOW!

So you PLAY the "Bandit" on that "Prospect" card and the world is WHOLE again!

Haha... Restoring the "Take-That" and ensuring that you can follow-up your plans with the "Bandit" to ensure the game goes on for a round or two more...

Something like that... We (My Family and I) enjoy the game because the "core" game you are not SURE 100% about what it is you are BUYING and how it will affect the outcome of the game. And we like that "Play in the Dark" feel to "Splendor". I can't wait to introduce "Prospector" such that the Family has a FUN time in placing the "Bandit"! Hehehe...

Note #1: The "Bandit" needs to be playtested and checked to see if it is GOOD or NOT. We'll have to wait and see as I get the expansion probably closer to early December...

Note #2: The "Prospect" cards and the method of using them is pretty much solid. I don't foresee any troubles with those cards. Only the "Bandit" may pose some challenges in the "early" rounds. Some "head-butting" probably. That's why I need to PLAYTEST the "Bandit" and will not WRITE the rules until that bit is "playtested"...

I am not 100% convinced HOW(?) the "Bandit" should work. I mean the positioning and not the role.

The "role" is clear:

It's clear as night & day. That's the role... It makes sense and it is a simple mechanic that is effective in a sort of "block"-ish way.

But for positioning that I am not 100% sure. Options on the table are the following:

1. The position last 1-Round and then the next player chooses the position.

2. The position MAY be changed on each player's turn depending on how he/she feels about the "Bandit"'s current location.

3. The position MUST be changed on each player's turn.

That's what I have for now... But will ponder it further to see if there are MORE "options" available to PLAYTEST and determine which method of position is best for the "Bandit".

Input is welcomed... I mean if you have something to ADD to this... Please feel free to comment.

Sincerely.

Note #1: Some considerations are: "If a MOVE is REQUIRED there is less aggression towards each player moving the Bandit." Or if it is "per Round" there is less of an opportunity to impact any given player. IDK yet... I still need to THINK(?) about it some more. Maybe some playtests when I get the prototype will HELP. Right now it's a bit HARD since I have no reference point or sample data from any playthrus to see the impact each of these alternatives and which is the BETTER choice. TBD.

Another IDEA that came to mind while driving my SUV... Was whatever SPACE you choose, you MUST PAY the "Bandit" that position's "Gemstone".

Now (Let's assume) you have White, Blue and Black. And you choose "Black" you would have to PAY "1 Black Chip", if you don't have one of these ... You pay NOTHING.

This adds a counter-balancing element to collecting TOO MANY chips/gemstones. I know we've played games where there runs out of CHIPS because nobody is BUYING just collecting chips. And sometimes you are forced to buy what you DON'T WANT!

This method of PAYMENT can restore 1-Chip per Turn and COST the players a tribute to the "Bandit" as he moves along from position to position.

In addition the "Prospect" Cards are FREE spots; meaning you can place the "Bandit" on ANY "Prospect" Card at NO COST... Making the "Prospect" cards a bit harder to acquire due to the "Bandit" often being on those cards.

Again please feel free to let me know what you think about these IDEAS!!!

This is still very much a Work-In-Progress (WIP) in that the method by which the "Bandit" operates is very much in DESIGN... And open to new ideas too!

Let me know what you guys think!?

Note #1: Other VARIATIONS include (but are not limited to):

A> You MUST pay a CHIP and this means you can ONLY place the "Bandit" on a card that you can PAY FOR.

B> You CANNOT play the "Bandit" on ANY "Prospect" cards. This means that when you reserve a card, you take a chance that the opponent may be able to acquire it and there is nothing nobody can do.

I think I LIKE Rule "A" & "B". This introduces an element of CHANCE when "Reserving" a Development card.

C> You MUST move the "Bandit" to another Development card on your turn.

Rule "C" just means that everyone has to pay and it costs you ONE (1) CHIP per turn and you MUST have that chip to pay the "Bandit".

Note #2: Once per ROUND a player chooses ONE (1) Development card and pays the "Bandit" and places it on the corresponding card.

Alternatively ... If a player wants to "MOVE" the "Bandit" at the end of his/her turn, he PAYS the "Bandit" by moving him to another Development card. Movement during a ROUND is optional but in some circumstances desirable... And so you PAY to move him.

More options... I'm sure there will be others too...

Please note that I have ADDED a "1st Player" Pawn/Token. This is because the turn order is to be a bit VARIED in that when you START the game, the First Player gets the "1st Player" Pawn/Token. He/she must place the "Bandit" and pay for the position in the ROUND. Players on their turn may OPT to MOVE the "Bandit" to another location (Development card) but will also need to PAY in order to do this.

Once ALL Players have had a TURN, the "1st Player" Pawn/Token is passed to the Second Player (who now must also choose where to place the "Bandit" also) and then the players go around until the First Player plays (who is now LAST in terms of turn-order). So you go from 1st to Last from the 1st ROUND to the 2nd ROUND. And so-forth...

This messes a bit with the USUAL "Turn-Order" because it creates an interesting DYNAMIC in that play is more varied and that has an impact on how the "Bandit" will MOVE/Play.

In any case, we'll have to wait and see how this all works out. I feel very POSITIVE that could be an exciting way to play the game and it feels more LOGICAL IMHO. But playtesting at home will determine if this "1st Player" Pawn/Token is really necessary...

From my current perspective: "Yes it is...!"

I'm thinking that I want there to be some kind of "LOTTERY" Mechanism for the "Bandit" and during each ROUND the "1st Player" is the "Bandit" and maybe gets to ROLL for capturing the "Bandit". MAYBE(!)

Maybe using 1D12, you ROLL the Polyhedral Dice ONCE per Player's Turn during the ROUND to "capture the Bandit" and score yourself a FREE Development card...

I call it because it's a LUCK(?) ROLL which allows you to SCORE the card being off-limits to the players.

I'm just trying to get some MORE "Meat" on the Mechanism... I am currently NOT "advertising" the "Bandit" and the therefore am working on this (as you all well know) in PRIVATE. But clearly some kind of "Chance" Mechanism with a 1:12 odds of successfully rolling the value. I guess the odds are 4:12 or 1:3 which seems like BETTER odds (TBH).

This is a very LUCK-DRIVEN Mechanism ... That's why I called it a "LOTTERY" Mechanism. Because you a LUCK-OUT and score a FREE card. This causes an effect in making the player positioning the "Bandit" to ROLL a 1D12 with EQUAL ODDS (all values have a 1:12 chance - even odds).

I'm not sure... I'm just thinking about things a bit more and see WHAT(?) could be added to the "Bandit" to make him more WORTHWHILE. The addition of ONE (1) Polyhedral D12 dice is about $1.50 CAD... Fnck that is expensive... 200 and the price drop to $0.30 each. Man ... I don't want to buy that MANY D12s because I would have little to no USE for them.

I had like 50 White Standard D6s ... But those I found a use for them. The D12s would be limited in terms of usage.

Sincerely.

What I mean by "too complex" is that it takes away from the SET COLLECTING mechanism of "Splendor". While it could be cool to have a MINI game ... I am thinking that it is perhaps best to LIMIT the interaction with the "Bandit".

My thinking goes as follows:

A> Have one (1) Black the "Bandit" Pawn.
B> Have one (1) Black D12 polyhedral dice.
C> Roll & move the "Bandit" as per the result of the roll.

So you wouldn't choose his position... At the start of each TURN, you ROLL the D12 and place it at that position. This would result in either GOOD or BAD luck seeing as you would want to not land on the card that you would want to acquire on that turn. The game is simple, adding the "Bandit" needs to be simple too.

And 1D12 is equal odds for all values and is easier to comprehend in terms of roll & move results. There doesn't need to be MORE rules than that TBH.

So basically it boils down to:

A> At the END of their turn, players ROLL 1D12.
B> The "Bandit" is moved from his current location to that location.
C> The player's turn ends and then the next player may play.
D> At the END of their turn, repeat from item "A".

I'm still NOT sold on this either. I'm not sure TBH... The "mini" game is just "too complex" and I don't want to DUMB down the "Bandit" role.

It would be like something SIMPLE:

A> A player may NOT acquire any card if the "Bandit" is placed on it.

I think this is the BEST reason for the "Bandit" and it is SIMPLE enough that it won't take PAGES upon PAGES to explain HOW(?) to play a mini game within the "core" game.

Secondly ... Do we really NEED a "mini" game to DETRACT from the main focus of the game??? I think probably not. But rolling a 1D12 and position the "Bandit" in that location is sufficiently SIMPLE enough that it COULD hamper a player or two during a game ... But not always.

Lastly is the 1D12 REQUIRED??? Do we really NEED this dice or can the "Bandit" be MORE strategic and up to each player to MOVE the "Bandit" if required. I am going around in-circles I believe...

All I REALLY need is the "Black" Pawn (for the "Bandit") and then when you move the "Bandit" to a location ON YOUR TURN (if you WANT to), you must PAY the Gem Token of the NEW location of the moved "Bandit". If you don't have that Gem Token... You CANNOT move him to that position in the area of play.

So MOVING "costs" something and the FIRST player chooses to PLACE the "Bandit" on any given card for FREE (Turn #1). From that point moving forwards, moving costs "1 Gem Token" (and may be REQUIRED).

I've got some MORE thinking. But some important conclusions:

1> I don't want to spend money on the "Dual Dice".
2> I don't want to add an additional 1D12 polyhedral dice.
3> I want players to PAY for moving the "Bandit".
4> I am UNSURE if this is REQUIRED or OPTIONAL per turn.

I guess that narrows down the field to figuring out HOW(?) to handle the actual movement. I don't want a ROUND mechanic. That's too complicated for nothing. And the PER TURN can be EITHER "required" or "optional".

I want to MESS with player's COLLECTION of Gem Tokens.

So IF you have 3 Gem Tokens: Red, Green, and Blue. You may ONLY move the "Bandit" to ONE of these corresponding Game Tiles. This also means that you CANNOT move the "Bandit" onto "Prospect" cards. That seems cool too...

I need to think about it some more...

Full-circle kinda thing. Don't know anymore...

Regards.

Each ROUND one (1) Player will become the "BANDIT" (Black Chip). He can place the "Bandit" in a way to IMPEDE one or more of his opponents. Then on the OTHER players' turns, they can MOVE by paying the "Gem Token" of the Destination card (Development only cannot be a Prospect card) to the "BANDIT" Player (of that ROUND).

This is instead of paying the BANK... This is COOL because it's a bit more STRATEGY in terms of WHERE(?) to place the "Bandit". And WHEN the "Bandit" gets MOVED, then the player pays the "BANDIT" Player...

Why is this so interesting???

Well it make choosing the location more IMPORTANT because you are ANTICIPATING the players moves and choosing the MOST appropriate location to pick.

This is GREAT because there is a REWARD to BEING the "BANDIT" player... And the better the placement, the better the chance that an opponent will PAY that player a Gem Token...!

Something along those lines seems like a GREAT IDEA! Because PLAYERS ASSUME the ROLE of the "BANDIT" and they're the ones that figure out WHO to force to squeeze out a Gem Token or two (2) per ROUND.

I guess one "Black Chip" and one "Black Pawn" will be the ONLY two (2) EXTRAS that will be required. And it's simple to EXPLAIN too.

Anyone have any comments, feedback, suggestions, ideas related to the direction that I am headed on with this "little extra" that goes with this "Prospector" Expansion...

Cheers!

Since the "Bandit" has to do with the "Prospector" Expansion, I've decided that ONCE the "Bandit" is played on ANY Development or Prospect Card, to remove the "Bandit" from that card:

This will make reservation mechanic more important ... Because that's how you EARN a "Gold Token". No Gold = No moving.

Also after the "Bandit" is removed from a Card in Play, the ACTING ROLE PLAYER must place the "Bandit" on another Development or Prospect Card in-play.

And as players continue ... The cost to move is the SAME.

This adds more purpose to the "Gold Tokens" as they act as a form of CURRENCY too! I'm happy with this outcome of behavior as it plays well in terms of the THEME of the "Expansion" too.

As always your thoughts, concerns, feedback, comments all welcomed!

Cheers.