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Game design and rules feedback - Dinosaur Wars

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Sun, 02/28/2016 - 21:46
GraleGames
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Joined: 02/27/2016

Hi All,

Recently we published a game we have been working on for quite some time through The Game Crafter.

So far we have had a lot of positive feedback which has been great but the opinion of a broader audience would be great. Therefore we were hoping that some lovely people on here might have a quick look over our page: https://www.thegamecrafter.com/games/dinosaur-wars and our rules https://s3.amazonaws.com/download.thegamecrafter.com/1456709682/Dinosaur... and give us some honest feedback on what you like and don't like? in particular do the rules make sense!!??

Is the price point of $50 USD going to be an issue? this is currently the cheapest we can produce it because there is so much in the game but we are looking into self publishing and crowd funding which would reduce the cost.

Thanks

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Mon, 02/29/2016 - 09:04
#1
polyobsessive
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Joined: 12/11/2015
Sceptical, I'm afraid...

Hmm, it looks like it could be fun, but it also looks like you mostly roll a die, move the pawn, do what the square/card says, and from what I see there, there is no way I would want to pay $52 for that sort of game. And the Monopoly-style board and piles of paper money make this look like a game that definitely isn't aimed at me.

I wasn't able to access the rules, so can't comment on the actual game, just on the nice, shiny looking pictures on the GameCrafter page.

So, what lifts this game above the basic roll-and-move it appears to be?

Sorry if I'm coming across as really critical here. I'd love to see the rules so I can comment on something other than first impressions.

Good luck.
Rob

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Mon, 02/29/2016 - 10:45
#2
polyobsessive
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Joined: 12/11/2015
Found them!

I've just managed to find an accessible version of your rulebook here: http://www.dinosaurwars.com.au/media/Dinosaur-Wars-Rules-2.0.pdf

So far I have had only a quick scan through, but it does address some of my preconceptions. It looks like there is a lot of just rolling the dice and moving, and hoping you draw fortuitous cards, but there seem to be some decisions to make along the way, so it is probably fun with the right players.

I must admit that I am a bit unsure about the recording of points. Couldn't you just count money at the end of the game, or perhaps when you sell bones you can add them to your scoring pile, so there isn't the bookkeeping aspect?

From a very non-thorough look through, the rules look pretty clear and easy to understand. I may get a chance of a more detailed read-through later.

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Tue, 03/01/2016 - 01:28
#3
GraleGames
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Joined: 02/27/2016
Thanks for the feedback

Hi Rob, Thanks for the feedback!

Hmm you make a good point. While there is obviously quite a bit of dice rolling and turn taking to the game there is also a lot of interaction between players. To win you will need to steal items from other players (while avoiding having your own items taken) so there is quite a bit of strategy in deciding which players to target and what items to take that will most benefit you… or most hinder them.

Most of the game also takes place in the map in centre of the board as opposed to the outer squares so you don’t just end up going around and around the board like you do in games like Monopoly. It is a fairly simple game to learn but it has an excellent replay value.

I will have to think of a better way to demonstrate this, perhaps a video? So that people not familiar with the game can easily understand. I will give it some thought.

We have looked into eliminating the book keeping aspect before but as there is a number of ways to collect points, not just bones cards, so it wasn’t possible. It is also good to keep a running tally as scores can change quickly and you need to keep an eye on which players are winning. We have kept the point keeping as simple as possible so it’s easy to tally.

As you said this probably isn’t your kind of game but if you had to buy it as a gift for someone what would you be comfortable paying? Does $40 seem reasonable?

Thanks again for taking the time to have a look. Cheers

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