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Need help designing game meant for proposal

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TomJ
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Joined: 11/06/2017

Greetings to all forum users! To be honest with you all I know nothing about game designing and probably won't master the craft in the near future well enough to suit my needs. That's why I would like to ask you all for you help.

I would like to create a simple board game which I would use to help me propose to my girlfriend. We met at a game pub (she kicked my ass, among others, during the first game) and so I thought it would be a good and romantic idea. I think I'd take her back to the game pub to a private booth, play the game and the winning bracket would be the actual proposal. The game itself would be a kind of memory lane with some added features/events.

I would of course fill out the content but would need help with the mechanics or the layout so its not just a role the dice and pick a card. Like some items needed to be gathered or something. My vision involves positive events (such as write a short poem/rhyme for the other person, tell your favorite memory and such) to more "negative" ones (loser of a thumb war has to buy a round of beers, or the very simple go back two steps).

I am also wondering if it would be possible to bend the game so she would have a better chance of winning or something like this. I realize this isn't typically what game designers try to do so I think this would be a little more challenging.

I think the game should take no more than 30-40 mins. If it becomes obvious what the end is then shouldn't make her wait too long ;)
I welcome any and all advice, not only on the mechanics but thoughts on the plan itself. Perhaps you all might see some negatives that I don't, or how this could backfire (if I end up being too good or something :P)

Thanks to all helpers in advance!
Tom

polyobsessive
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Joined: 12/11/2015
Wow!

Wow, great responsibility! :)

I think that probably your best bet is not to actually design a new and original game but to find a game that you like and then just reskin it to suit your needs. You know, make your own Fluxx, or Munchkin, or Love Letter, or whatever you feel would be good for you.

Good luck, and congratulations in advance!

TomJ
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Joined: 11/06/2017
Thanks for the quick response!

Thanks for the quick response!
That is of course a great idea :)
Unfortunately I don't know too many games and the ones I do know tend to take longer and are more complicated than I would like. Not to mention they usually include more players :D
So if anyone has an idea of a simple board game I could adapt that would be great too! Perhaps something more in the way of a kids game with few rules.

And don't forget about the rule bending if possible, any ideas welcome :)

Kohlstech
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Joined: 11/03/2017
Proposal Game

How about something based around likes or dislikes,
Favorite Things

Guess your opponents favorite color, Movie, pet etc...
Or maybe do you remember when we ....??
ask questions on events you both shared.
You could guess wrong on purpose to give you girlfriend an advantage.

congratulations to you both.

questccg
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Joined: 04/16/2011
Hmm... keeping it "realistic"

Not to say your idea is much too convoluted, I understand it's coming from the "heart".

Why don't you make it simple: "The Game of Life"...

And if she beats you to the STOP where you need to get married, well then you can get down on "Bended Knee" and propose to her...

Yeah it will take 5 minutes to setup the board, maybe another 5 minutes to reach the STOP where players need to get married.

If you beat her, the process is the same, you get down on "Bended Knee"... I don't think TRYING to design a GAME from "scratch" considering you are NOT a Game Designer nor aspire to become one...

That's my take on the situation... 10 minutes and you get to the proposal. And you don't need to "design" anything, you use an existing board and you will forever have that memory of getting down on one knee while playing "The Game of Life"!

Cheers and good luck with the proposal (hope she says YES!)

Update: And you can tease the game out further by trying to DETERMINE "How many children you are going to have". You get children during the game ... and could be cute way to FOLLOW the game after the proposal... Just an idea.

questccg
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ANOTHER IDEA!

This ONE (1) is EVEN BETTER! (But a bit more envolving...)

PLAY HER FAVORITE GAME... Assuming that it MUST have a deck of CARDS!!!

The idea is to DESIGN your OWN CUSTOM card for THAT GAME!

And at some point you PLAY THAT CUSTOM card and propose to her!

Instead of designing a WHOLE GAME, all you need is ONE (1) CUSTOM card...

Could be EVEN MORE EXCITING!!!

Best!

Update: Say the game was Munchkin, instead of knocking down a door, you play the card from your pocket... And it says something like: "Two parties must join in Holy Matrimony before continuing to play this game..."

Something like that... And you could have an ARTIST design the graphical aspect of the card... ETC.

Update #2: If the game is Monopoly, you could use a CHANCE card and wait for the RIGHT MOMENT... For example... Most games have cards. Should be possible to do.

mindspike
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Joined: 09/06/2011
The Game of Life

questccg wrote:
Why don't you make it simple: "The Game of Life"...

And if she beats you to the STOP where you need to get married, well then you can get down on "Bended Knee" and propose to her...

This. This is brilliant. Do this. And best to both of you!

let-off studios
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Joined: 02/07/2011
Game Of Life

mindspike wrote:
questccg wrote:
Why don't you make it simple: "The Game of Life"...

And if she beats you to the STOP where you need to get married, well then you can get down on "Bended Knee" and propose to her...

This. This is brilliant. Do this. And best to both of you!

Yep. She may groan and whinge when you are setting it up, but just do your best to reassure her: "It get's better. Trust me. There's a twist to this version..."

After you're married, spoil her every chance you have. That's my advice. Best of success to you. :)

polyobsessive
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Fluxx

TomJ wrote:
Thanks for the quick response!
That is of course a great idea :)
Unfortunately I don't know too many games and the ones I do know tend to take longer and are more complicated than I would like. Not to mention they usually include more players :D
So if anyone has an idea of a simple board game I could adapt that would be great too! Perhaps something more in the way of a kids game with few rules.

And don't forget about the rule bending if possible, any ideas welcome :)

Get yourself a copy of Fluxx. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but it is cheap and easily rethemed. You can ignore creepers, have keepers that reflect your life together, and wacky action cards. Plus you could have a goal card "proposal" that means you win if you have the keepers "ring" and "down on one knee", and you could stack the deck so you get them at an appropriate time.

Of course, if you haven't played Fluxx that will mean nothing to you, but take a look: it's what I would probably do if I was in your position.

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