Cram

Deconstructed by: Ignacio Guajardo

Cram

Goal of the game: Be the last player to be able to move. More easily understood: “ the first player unable to move loses”

Core Mechanics: You draw a line from one dot to and adjacent dot (following the line of the grid). The game is turn based, so once a player makes a move, he may no longer make further moves and it’s next player’s turn. A dot may not be connected more than once. The line may be drawn either vertical or horizontally. (almost like domineering but without horizontal/vertical restriction). Players take turn connecting dots. Only one set of dots may be connected per turn. The line drawn must be fully drawn between one intersection (dot) to another, and may not be partially drawn.

Space of the game: the space of the game is a grid of size chosen by the players. May be anything larger than 2x1. This game is two-dimensional. Each intersection (dot) on the grid is a zero-dimensional space in which a line may not make contact with another.

Objects, attributes, states: The only objects in the game are the lines created by the players and the intersections (dots). Once the lines have been created it has the attribute of no longer being able to be changed, moved or altered with. The intersections on the grid have the attribute of “availability” and there are two states within that attribute: available or not available. If an intersection is not available, one may not end or begin a line on that intersection. If an intersection is available, a player may use that intersection for line creation.

Actions: The only operative action in the game is to create a line between two “available” intersections. The resultant actions are: decreasing the estimated amount of turns left before the game is over, strategically placing a line so that you are NOT the last person unable to move, and so forth.

Rules: One may not draw a line from a dot that has already been connected, otherwise known as being in the “unavailable” state. One move per turn. You may only draw a ling from one dot to another adjacent dot, and nothing past that dot. First player unable to make a move loses. You are unable to make a move when there are no more dots to connect.

Skills Players learn: Mental skills will surely apply here and benefit the player with a high set of mental skills. Players learn to make the most efficient moves possible. An efficient move is when you’ve changed the amount of turns left to your benefit. This can normally only be seen towards the end of the game when you’ve made sufficient moves to have the board end up with only a few set moves due to the lines already in place. Thinking ahead and how many moves left before the game is potentially over is crucial.