Development

Development

This board game project started with an idea of making throwing dice a more exciting, skill-based, and competitive action. At first we wanted to make a RPG game with mechanics of throwing dice into a box and hitting cards. We cut off RPG elements to simplify the project.

For the first prototype, we made a 20*20” box, some cards with numbers, and got some dices. The basic rule was designed to be putting cards inside the box and hitting opponent’s cards with dices. This rule is kept in our final game. We also added Ability cards that can give you special advantages when you hit them, like “rolling a large dice”, to make the game more exciting and strategic. 

For our second prototype, we make cards into different colors, so they are more identified for players. We refined the rules and added condition cards into the game, which will give negative effects to players. We also added cardboard pieces which are called “terrains” in the game, and tested if it can bring more variety into the game in the playtest. In this prototype, we add a “GM” character into the game and give it some power to edit the board and turn the tide of the game. In the playtest later, we found that this seemed confusing to players and made the game more complex, so we removed the GM in a later version.We added a “reroll rules” that players can reroll the dice that hit nothing, to make late game more playable.

For  our first prototype, we prepared more dices for the game, which makes the game much more exciting. We also removed GM and refined the rules that related to it. We also removed the “rerole rule” because there are enough dices for the late game. We also made more terrain pieces and use them to fill the empty spaces after cards got removed. 

Playtest Questions & Feedback

1. Do you get a good sense of whether you’re winning or losing during the play?

Playtester 1: Ya I always knew I was losing

Had more of a grip the second time. Played it out strategically

Yes

Agree

1. Does dice rolling require much skill? How are you used to it?
   1. Thought it was good. LIked the different types of dye. Thought it would be easy, got it all in the corner
      1. Different types of dice give me a little more time to process. The skill level is good.
   2. The game is somewhat challenging. Need a greater obstacle than throwing the dice. Need something deeper
   3. Liked the different types of dice.
2. Sum up your play experience with one order
   1. Confusion (in the beginning)
      1. Intense
   2. Exciting
   3. Confusing
3. How do the dice on the board (especially those rolled by your opponent) affect your decision making? 
   1. Was more concerned about themselves
      1. Yes there was a moment. Yes. Didn't plan to hit anything
   2. The dice did. Wanted more strategy. Liked what there was
   3. Same, was not really competitive a chill game
4. How often do you successfully roll the dice the way you want?
   1. IN the beginning often, later not
      1. Third of the time
   2. Somewhat
   3. Most of the time was correct, the target was easier. Terrain is a obstacle
5. Thoughts on not rolling the dice the way you intend to? Positive or negative? 
   1. Frustration
   2. Exciting
6. How would you rate the competitiveness/tension during the play?
   1. No real tension. Focused on myself. Not aware of values in myself, feels well of for second playthrough
      1. Was more competitive
   2. Was very competitive
   3. Was not hyped up
7. Do you see the GM as an important part of the play?
   1. More confusing then we should have been
8. Speed
   1. Speed was too fast. In the beginning
   2. Both liked it
   3. Liked more the mystery cards Wanted more cards