questccg's blog

With Tradewars, I have had no interest in adding "Bluffing/Deception" as a expansion idea. I guess I'm not really impressed with all those games that feature it.

Yet at the same time, I would want to introduce a PYL (Push-Your-Luck) mechanic for the "Privateer" Expansion.

At the moment, I cannot picture any "Bluffing" - only that player take chances with the "commissions" to try to be the first player to reach 500 credits. It's pretty simple, each starship costs 10 credits to "commission" and gets a 5 credit "valuation" (no Tradeships).

Although the design seemed to be moving forwards, I kept struggling with the idea that both players would have their own "storyline". It just seemed like this concept of two (2) storylines and having players "interfere" with each other's quests... was rather "unfocused".

My idea now, is that one (1) Player is the "Villain" and one (1) player is the "Hero".

Perhaps this is a simplistic view, but now it explains why BOTH player will want to play cards: to WIN the game.

I have been thinking "on" and "off" about "Quest AC2". I know that I have narrowed the game's layout and it can be seen here:

This is just an "example" layout. But it generally follows that the game will have four (4) Tracks, the topmost controlled by the opponent and then other three (3) Tracks controlled by the player.

Each player chooses one "Heroism" card and plays it into Track #2.

What happens NEXT is my problem. Let me explain some more and maybe we can find an answer together...

For each "Heroism" you play, the opposite end of the card (180 degrees) has another "Symbol". So if the "Heroism" symbol is a 2 "Hearts", this means that the opposite symbol can be 3 "Dark Virtue".

A "Challenge" could have 2 "Light Virtue", and offer the opponent 1 "Gold".

So far all of this works... Even "Boons" work too.

Taking a step back and starting basing myself purely on the essential or fundamental elements in the game, I have defined these five (5) types of "Fragments":

• Terror: specify a fright level and are minor or major.
• Boon: something that is helpful or beneficial in some way.
• Challenge: a type of obstacle or event which must be overcome.
• Heroism: anything related to characters and heroes.
• Ether: the fabric of life itself coming from the Celestial Heavens.

In the following GDS Showdown (http://www.bgdf.com/forum/game-design/game-design-showdown/gds-november-...), we presented a very "unique" component: Wooden Game Tiles.

Although there was limited participation, the general direction of the games in the contest did not satisfy the intended direction of this "component". Even if I shelved the concept for many months... I have been thinking about re-introducing that component for a NEW design.

I call it "SpellMasters".