Board Game Designers Forum

A real cash prize. Now thats worth the effort.

From what I could glean from the rules, etc., it looks like you retain the rights to what you submit, regardless of whether it wins or not. That's nice.

The real challenge with this one is the 400 word limit! I have a hard enough time keeping my GDS entries concise. At least designers can post several photos and a video.

Being that it’s a design community sponsoring this i fear that an undue amount attention will be spent on "aesthetics” rather the strength of the idea. I was unable to find any of the previous winners to confirm or debunk this assertion. Anyone know of any?

The "game" idea seems very open ended, it seems that its not just for boardgames but for any type of game for that matter. And the criteria for the competition seems to fit the other types of media better than a board game would.

I probably will still put some thought into this, I think there are still opportunities to make a board game work for the theme they are shooting for.

I'll have to really bust out with the diagrams, etc.. That's a neat challenge.

Here are all the previos competitions.
http://www.design21sdn.com/competitions

This is one for folks that have graphic arts skills. Too bad, i could use 2 grand right about now.

Why not team up with someone..I'd be game. My graphic skills are not at the Addiso, Seo, Outside Lime, or Simpson level, but I can make some pretty pictures ;).

edit: This was one of my entries to a past competition.
http://www.design21sdn.com/competitions/9/entries/2588/gallery/13426

Ok now to "Design a game that aims to create change by improving lives or inspiring new behaviors."

This will be hard for a grouch like me. I need to brainstorm a little.

How about a game were you set traps to keep neighborhood children and pets out of your yard.

Create change – The threat of pain always inspires change (Check)
Improve lives – Getting rid of pests would cover this (Check)

Hmmmm… maybe I need to think this through some more.

Example: "Creating a resource-gathering network that is risk-tolerant leads to success," leads to a game like Settlers of Catan.

So, start with a happy, touchy-feely premise, like "recycling is good, but reducing use is better." Now build out from there. What mechanics naturally arise from those premises? What game structures does it suggest?

It's like being on a debate team. You should be able to create a robust, compelling argument for the side you believe in *and* the side you don't support. Even if you're a grouch, you can create a solid, instructive game with an optimistic message.

I believe that you can do it.

Come to think of it I do have a game where boy/girl scouts work to clean up trash in a public park. Then try to separate it for recycling before the end of the day. The money they earn from the recycler then goes to the troop.

Think that’s happy enough or should I add bunnies?

Where did I put that darn prototype anyways, Recycled? Nooooooo….

Or fwuffy. That would be sufficient.

Seriously though. That's a good theme, I think. Of course, I'm not evaluating it. And you'll have to fit it in 400 words. (egads...)

For 400 words they can get an overview but not the actual rules. Being that they aren’t going to play it that should be enough.

I'll see if i can re-write it as a co-op game and maybe even see if Bluesea wants to do the graphics.

How about a nice game of global thermonuclear war?