Daniel Solis

I played Troll's Dilemma with a small group of six players, using red and blue chips for the binary choice instead of heads/tails. We played two games, five rounds each, with the highest individual scorer being the winner. Some players employed the "honestly, always choose the same color" strategy while others randomized blindly, while still others went blindly random, and others kept a strategy of switching periodically. With this small of a group, it's hard to say whether any of our results will scale up. It seemed to some that random choice is only slightly worse than an actual conscious strategy. Scores were within five points of each other at the end of each game, but there was always a clear winner, even if they only won by 1 point. Some tweaks to consider: Formalize the discussion phase so it's a simple statement: "I choose red/blue." I think I'd go so far as to give each player a badge or card that they can visibly flip ...

Here's a simple Prisoner's Dilemma party game you can try out with your friends and family, using whatever loose change you have lying around the house. You don't even need a table! Just a bunch of players and some room to walk around. It does help to have a scoreboard visible to the whole group. You should also have a timer or a clearly visible clock. Troll's Dilemma 15 Minutes / 4-30 Players / 10 and up Heads or tails? You decide. You're trying to build a big consensus leaning one way or the other, but you only score points when players disagree with you. So really, you're trying to coerce a major consensus, so you can betray it . But there is a twist! Oh, such a twist. Goal After eight rounds of play, the player with the most points wins. Set Up Each player should have their own coin with clearly visible HEADS and TAILS sides. I recommend Othello chips since they're black on one side and white on the other, but any coin will do. Split up all ...

Around this time of year, offices and families engage in an old tradition of secret gift-giving. These traditional games have widely varying rules, but there are some core similarities. Usually, you're randomly assigned to give another person a gift. You may not know this person well, so you have to just investigate or guess at what they would like. As the receiver of said gift... Well, let's just say it's easy to get disappointed. This is so common, that a spin-off tradition called "white elephant" or "dirty santa" emerged wherein you're *not* supposed to consider what the receiver would actually like. In either case, no one really gets something they actually want and you spend that time awkwardly chit-chatting while doing so. Honestly, it sucks as a play experience. Fortunately, a fellow named Brian Winkeler of Robot House Creative taught me the rules of a superior form of Secret Santa. I call it Super Secret Santa. Stuff You Need 5-30...

This is a party game inspired by the classic game "I never..." or "Never have I ever..." The title comes from my ongoing Pitch Tag thread with Fred Hicks. While the original "I never..." is typically a drinking game, I'll leave it to you to add your own drinking rules. ;) Stuff You Need 2 or more players. Best in large groups. A pencil and paper to keep score. A pencil and paper for each player. A deck of What's Your Excuse?! cards. Prototypes shown below. How to Play The youngest player takes the first turn. On your turn, draw a card. The card lists three "I never..." sentences such as "I never sky-dived from a zeppelin with a rabid wolverine because..." or "I never drove a monster truck in the circus because..." The easy sentence is usually shorter with more basic words. The medium sentence gets a little more specific. The hard sentence is longest, with more specific obscure terms. Pick one se...

This is a creativity game for two or more players inspired by word association exercises and writer jam sessions. You can play this game over any communication medium, including in-person, but I find it works best over email, forum or comment. Stuff You Need: 2 or more players If face-to-face, a pencil and paper. If online, any email, forum or shared document. Setup: Players agree on what they'll be pitching, whether it be story ideas, character ideas, plots, or inventions. Fred Hicks and I like to use Pitch Tag to generate ideas for new games. Step 1: Come up with a title. When Fred and I play, we'll assume these will be the title of a new game. Step 2: The next player pitches a thing with that title. When Fred and I play, we pitch games. We can describe the game as deeply as we prefer, whether it's mechanics, story, or influences. The point is to just generate ideas rapidly. Step 3 and on...: That player then tosses back another title to the first player...

With this badge , you are a Bajjutsu Master . Compete against other bajjutsu masters in a contest of arcane powers! Ally yourself with a Bajjutsu clan or seek glory on your own! This game is perfect for when you and your friends are at conventions, concerts or other large gatherings. » Download the print-and-play PDF . Once trimmed and folded, it fits into a standard clear convention badge holder. Bring it to your next game convention! » Co-created with Josh Mannon » Japanese translation by Andy Kitkowski » Development Stage: Open Beta » Development History » Opening call and response by Ryan Macklin SETUP When badge-wearing Bajjutsu Masters wish to battle, they begin with the time-honored call: “Only one Bajjutsu Master shall stand!” Those who accept respond “And it shall be me!” If you have more than two players, you'll play either a melee or a clan battle. In melee, all players act alone. In clan battle, players split into two opposing teams. On your badge, attach...

Here's a fun game for groups at a restaurant, especially if the players have been imbibing a little bit before the game starts. Stuff You Need 3 or more players at a restaurant or bar. A pen and two pieces of paper for each player. Leave the first sheet of paper blank. On your second sheet, write each other player's name. A 30sec timer. How to Play All players do these steps together at the same time. 1. On the blank piece of paper, write the name of a food served at this restaurant. Write the food as cryptically and phonetically as you can, in all capitals. This can be a basic ingredient, like fruits and vegetables; or more complex foods, like appetizers, entrees, or side dishes. For example, "lettuce" could be "LAYDUS." "Sweet potato" could be "SWOT PERDERDER." "Chicken noodle soup" could be "CHALKING OODLE SAP." 2. When everyone is done writing, hold your paper up so everyone can see it. You should...