Cambronne - - Block Game Design
Posted: 17 Feb 2018, 18:24
Moved this topic to this thread.
-> see first thread here: http://www.zuntzu.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=1
Not being a Block-Gamer, except for Stratego
, the design process for a block game never was salient for my projects 
Cambronne, in his post, does posit an interesting question: Is it possible to simulate the 'fog of war' within a ZT game box for block games
Like Stratego, block games simulate the 'fog' by hiding the blocks information on the back of the play-piece. The front only hides the information from the opponent. This informs us that, somehow, the front (generic face) and the back (informational face) need to be designed within the ZT box to produce the same effect of not allowing the opponents to see each others information.
Here are some design
's that just might answer this vexing question:
1) Like AH's Midway, the 'Board-Tab' is what both players can see. In Stratego this tab would be the Board with both Blue and Red 'generic-face.' Like AH's Midway, each player would have a copy of the same board but with their pieces showing the 'informational-face' and the opponents 'generic-face.' Both players boards can be hidden and both can see the first (shared) board.
Not a satisfactory solution, because each player would have to duplicate their moves in two boards (their own and the shared board), which extends game/down-time during live-game play. Maybe this could be useful in a small block game . . . But - Nope
2) Another mode of design could revolve around separating the front and back of block. There is still a need for a common board-tab to show the front generic-face. Also, there would be a need for each player to have a hidden tab, as to keep track of each blocks information. Sounds like the description above? Yes it does, but with these changes:
a) In the shared board, each generic piece has a number (or letter) assigned. Each player are thus able to see their pieces and the opposing players pieces at the same time with all information 'hidden' on the game board. Keep in mind that each generic piece will have a unique number stamped on the facing.
b) Rather than duplicate the game board and piece placement on each players hidden tab, why not have a List of each numbered player piece A copy of the information for each piece can then be recorded next to each designation (1 to 20 or A to Z).
For example, for three blocks with a Cannon, Cavalry, Infantry:
#1 - Cannon
#2 - Cavalry
#3 - Infantry
On the common Board, only three blocks are seen, each printed with only a #1 a #2 or #3.
On the players hidden tab, there is only a list with #1 - 3. Next to each, one can record which number is assigned the particular information:
#1 - Cavalry
#2 - Infantry
#3 - Cannon
Each player then has a way to assign the information as they wish (from game to game) and in a way that is hidden from their opponent but still available for player review.
To test this design idea, I located a small PnP block-game from Board-Game-Geek called 'Cats vs Dogs'
https://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame ... ts-vs-dogs
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
I will post the completed box within 2 weeks.
In the meantime, any cheers or jeers? I welcome all comments
- Rich
Edit: added "But - Nope "
-> see first thread here: http://www.zuntzu.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=1
Not being a Block-Gamer, except for Stratego
, the design process for a block game never was salient for my projects Cambronne, in his post, does posit an interesting question: Is it possible to simulate the 'fog of war' within a ZT game box for block games
Like Stratego, block games simulate the 'fog' by hiding the blocks information on the back of the play-piece. The front only hides the information from the opponent. This informs us that, somehow, the front (generic face) and the back (informational face) need to be designed within the ZT box to produce the same effect of not allowing the opponents to see each others information.
Here are some design
's that just might answer this vexing question:1) Like AH's Midway, the 'Board-Tab' is what both players can see. In Stratego this tab would be the Board with both Blue and Red 'generic-face.' Like AH's Midway, each player would have a copy of the same board but with their pieces showing the 'informational-face' and the opponents 'generic-face.' Both players boards can be hidden and both can see the first (shared) board.
Not a satisfactory solution, because each player would have to duplicate their moves in two boards (their own and the shared board), which extends game/down-time during live-game play. Maybe this could be useful in a small block game . . . But - Nope
2) Another mode of design could revolve around separating the front and back of block. There is still a need for a common board-tab to show the front generic-face. Also, there would be a need for each player to have a hidden tab, as to keep track of each blocks information. Sounds like the description above? Yes it does, but with these changes:
a) In the shared board, each generic piece has a number (or letter) assigned. Each player are thus able to see their pieces and the opposing players pieces at the same time with all information 'hidden' on the game board. Keep in mind that each generic piece will have a unique number stamped on the facing.
b) Rather than duplicate the game board and piece placement on each players hidden tab, why not have a List of each numbered player piece
A copy of the information for each piece can then be recorded next to each designation (1 to 20 or A to Z).For example, for three blocks with a Cannon, Cavalry, Infantry:
#1 - Cannon
#2 - Cavalry
#3 - Infantry
On the common Board, only three blocks are seen, each printed with only a #1 a #2 or #3.
On the players hidden tab, there is only a list with #1 - 3. Next to each, one can record which number is assigned the particular information:
#1 - Cavalry
#2 - Infantry
#3 - Cannon
Each player then has a way to assign the information as they wish (from game to game) and in a way that is hidden from their opponent but still available for player review.
To test this design idea, I located a small PnP block-game from Board-Game-Geek called 'Cats vs Dogs'
https://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame ... ts-vs-dogs
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
I will post the completed box within 2 weeks.
In the meantime, any cheers or jeers? I welcome all comments
- Rich
Edit: added "But - Nope
"
comments are welcome . . . 
(his favorite colour) . . . Rich