The first MGDC

The first of February means it is time to set the first Monthly Game Design Challenge! So far, it seems I have two others interested to contest.

I’m still quite exhausted from the Global Game Jam (more about that in a post-to-come), but a promise is a promise, even to myself. So without further ado, here’s this month’s challenge, as was decided by a handful of dice!

In February, design a game about Underwater, that has a Strategic play, using Pencils, two Six-sided Dice and Graph paper.

Underwater is this month’s theme. Some interesting idea’s pop up in my head. Apart from the obvious undersea-worlds and submarines, I see flooded apartments, trapped-under-the-ice, lost treasures and many, many more things which could make for an excellent game-setting.

Strategic play means the win-condition of the game is achieved by carefully planning and executing by the player. It means there is little or no chance, unless chance is part of an action the player can opt as part of her strategy. An interesting combination with the dice!

Pencils. Any color will do, any amount will do. They can be physically part of the game, or required to write/draw.

Two Six-sided Dice. It has to be two. No more and no less. As mentioned before this is an interesting match with the Strategic play. I am going to be testing alternative uses, for example as game pieces that can be turned to change value or function on basis of their number.

Graph paper. Paper with squares, the kind you used to bring to Math class. Perhaps one sheet will do as game board, or a pile is needed for the players to draw or write on. The fact that it is graph paper has to be utilized, so you can’t just treat it as blank paper for folding your game pieces.

Apart from the above items, anything can be used to create a game for this challenge, with the exception of extra six-sided dice. I am looking forward to start playing with these restrictions, and to see the results of the others.

For now I say, let the Challenge begin!

Rik out.