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Oops, mechanic without theme

7 replies [Last post]
Mon, 10/05/2015 - 21:18
j1hopki1
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Joined: 04/13/2011

I've spent a while developing an engine building game, but haven't any idea on a theme that fits.

In the game players pass two action cards to an opponent. Then the opponent chooses one of those actions to activate for everyone.

I could certainly use a normal city building euro theme, but am trying to avoid getting lost in the noise of common themes.

Any suggestions where to find a list of inspiring themes?

Thanks.

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Mon, 10/05/2015 - 21:20
#1
j1hopki1
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PS, this is not related to

PS, this is not related to the Game for Everyone challenge.

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Tue, 10/06/2015 - 07:09
#2
ilSilvano
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Patron of the Art theme?

Hi, first thing that comes to mind: the players are artists, and each one gets a Commission (like a request for a specific Painting / Sculpture) from a Patron.
When you create that piece of art, something happens to everyone.
(for example: if you "paint" the Monna Lisa, everyone has a scoring round...)

I do not know how your game works, so see if this fits in!

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Tue, 10/06/2015 - 08:13
#3
Mrtwills
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Government theme?

How about government? The senate and congress player who decides action is executive. Without knowing more that's all I have.

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Tue, 10/06/2015 - 11:28
#4
DifferentName
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Govership

Mrtwills wrote:
How about government? The senate and congress player who decides action is executive. Without knowing more that's all I have.

The government came to mind for me too. Maybe a bizarre fictional government, since I imagine the one that has to choose between cards shifts throughout the game.

Maybe tribe leaders. Having one player make a decision for the rest feels very much like some kind of leadership/law maker theme.

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Tue, 10/06/2015 - 14:51
#5
let-off studios
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Knizia

Haha! You pulled a Knizia! :D

Seriously though... To avoid typical themes, why not try a creative idea generator? Something like this might work, triggering an unconventional idea that works with your mechanics.

http://ideagenerator.creativitygames.net/

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Tue, 10/06/2015 - 20:39
#6
j1hopki1
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LOL. I did pull a Knizia. The

LOL. I did pull a Knizia.
The game at it's core is an engine builder. The actions collect resources. Then players have a phase where they upgrade their actions by spending the resources.
Thanks again for the ideas.

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Wed, 10/07/2015 - 00:19
#7
Soulfinger
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j1hopki1 wrote:In the game

j1hopki1 wrote:
In the game players pass two action cards to an opponent. Then the opponent chooses one of those actions to activate for everyone.

So, basically, it is a board game mechanic tailored fit for the Saw movies.

Maybe something like the players each acting as community leaders in a rural Ukranian village during the Holodomor. Each player is trying to further his own interests while saving as many of his own followers from the genocide. A player must select one of the two awful choices in a way that benefits his own demographic while starving out opposing factions to free up and control future resources.

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