Test session 23 April
The 23 April we had a test session. In this session there was 6 participants and 5 prototype games (+ several new releases of games). The session started 09.15 AM and ended 10.45 PM with 30 minutes break for lunch (a heavy and tight schedule).
The scale we use when we grade the games are from 1-10 where 1 is a disaster and 10 is a rely grate game (the best). Grades under 5 are low marked games. Every person involved give there grade and then the result is the average. Normally the games get a grade between 6.0 and 8.0.
Just before I left home I dropped 3 games for the test (the time is limited) The games were The 4 elements (just a new design, the game is ready), Dragon attack and Space traders.
I will send out a more detail description to the persons that had a game in the session.
First out was Rats leaving the sinking ships (yes it is now ready with a first prototype)
Number of players: 3-5 (5 players at this time).
Time: around 2 hours. (Estimated 1,5h)
Grade: 7.4
Test number: 1 (first time ever).
Type of game: Board game driven by cards.
There is a big sea battle with ships of different nationalities. The players will together control the ships and the events, but the only thing that matter is the rats on the ships (each player has an own color of the rats). When a ship sinks: the player with the rat that last left the ship gets the points (this game is a chicken race on every ship).
After an easy start where everyone did watch each others moves, the game become a rely bloody mess and the players liked that. The winner manages to crawl back up on a ship that nearly had sunk and then leave the ship directly (and those 6 point did do a difference).
To be the first test, everything worked well. There were several minor design flaws, and the game was downgraded by that.
Sands of time
After several hours of work (making components (the components were in Letter format and I print in A4 format, printing, laminate (all components are laminated), cutting and reading (I probably spend more hours on this game than all the other games together (but I think it was worth it)), the game was ready for the test. I did set up the game just to find out that I had forgotten to bring the players marker (a rely anti climax). 330 markers in 3 different shapes and 6 different colors is nothing you can find a quick substitute for.
... but we decided to do a walk threw and there was some comments on that. Jeff, I will send you the list. The game will be up for test in May.
Pyramids
Number of players: 2-4 (4 players at this time).
Time: around 1.5 hours. (Estimated 1 h)
Grade: 6.5
Test number: 1 (first time ever).
Type of game: Tactical Board game.
Build a pyramid in layers (a labyrinth with 6 layers) and then plunder the pyramid.
This game had some bugs and become downgraded for that, but they agreed on that this game had the biggest potential.
Art Attack
Number of players: 3-6 (6 players at this time).
Time: around 40 minutes. (Estimated 30-60 minutes)
Grade: 7.5
Test number: 2.
Type of game: Party game
Draw your monster, and attack the others monsters. Quick and fun.
I did put in some work in to convert the cards to real cards and laminated those. For the feeling of the game, this was a good investment.
The only thing that this game is needed is tests to figure out what cards that needs to be changed. In this game the magic card was Handcuffs (this card destroyed one of the monsters chances to win).
Finally: The game should be played on an A5 of half letter sized paper!
Small devils deeds
Number of players: 3-6 (6 players at this time).
Time: around 30 minutes. (Estimated 30 minutes)
Grade: 6.14
Test number: 2.
Type of game: Card game.
You play a small devil living on earth. The other players know that you are a devil but not who. Your goal is to come in second from last and not to become an angel.
This game had too much randomness to get a high score. Still, the players wanted a rematch directly after the first one and a lot of ideas how to improve the game was presented.
// Johan
p.s. The next test session will be the 21 May.
Oh, sorry about that! I wish I had known this in advance, I definitely could have provided you the files in A4 size without too much difficulty on my part. My apologies!
No problem. I added all images into InDesign. The part I had problem with was the double sided cards.
I'm planning to add photos for all the games later, and the comments. Some of the games are mine and some of the games are others. I will check what games I can present here.
// Johan