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Computer enhancements for board games?

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Anonymous

Last week I played "Acquire" with some friends. I love this game. The only little annoying thing is that there's no marker for current stock prices and players always have to look them up by calculating the company size. But, that is actually something that some small computer program could do very well.

So here's my idea: I just program a small mobile phone application that can be used in combination with the board game. It would display current stock prices and take care of counting company pieces. I believe it should work very well with the game and only a minimum of input would be necessary.

This got me thinking: what about other games? Could they also use some small program that runs on a cell phone, pda or computer?

And this could go farther: why not program a little computer opponent that could replace missing players? That's nothing new: chess computers that can be used together with a board exist for a long time. Of course, not every board game would be suitable for such a program. But I can think of some.

So here're my questions I'd like to ask you:

  • What do you think about this idea? Would you consider using such a tool? Or would that be too much hassle?
  • Do you think there would be copyright issues should I offer such a tool as a download?
  • Has this been tried before? Are you aware of similar programs (regardless of the board game)? I couldn't find anything related
Many thanks in advance :)

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Stainer
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Joined: 12/31/1969
Computer enhancements for board games?

Why not just turn it into a computer game? Seems much simplier.

Rob

Anonymous
Computer enhancements for board games?

Thanks Stainer. No, I still want to play this game together with friends. Everyone sitting in front of a computer (or playing alone or multiplayer online) is not what I mean. The program would just make the play more pleasant for everybody or even replace a missing player.

Combining both worlds: some sort of computer device together with a physical board game is actually something I'm thinking about for some time now.

I'm sitting in front of a computer the whole day, so I really enjoy getting away from the screen. I suppose a lot people feel the same.

phpbbadmin
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Joined: 04/23/2013
Computer enhancements for board games?

Baegsi,

Check this thread:

http://www.bgdf.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=1244&start=0

It should get you started!

-Darke

jord
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Joined: 12/31/1969
Computer enhancements for board games?

Personally, I've written several different programs to help speed up the 'details' of some games, both my own games, as well as commercial games.

I find them especially useful in wargames, for record keeping, combat resolution, etc.

The idea of writing an AI to take the place of one or more players isn't entirely new, though it has perhaps not been used quite as you suggest. I know of AI's written for internet versions of games like Settlers, so I can't see a huge issue with using them in a 'live' boardgame situation.

As for the copyright, I can't see any big problems there, either. Obviously you wouldn't want to use any of the game's artwork or anything, but if you're writting the application simply to aid game play, it shouldn't be an issue.

larienna
larienna's picture
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Joined: 07/28/2008
Computer enhancements for board games?

When we have played "stock ticker", me and my friends tought about making a stock ticker game online with a website.

It should be pretty easy to do. The objective was to make a game easily accessible and easy to code that does not require a lot of game play. Maybe 10 Minute 3 time a week.

I designed the game with the rules but we have not started to produce anything.

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