Sprouts

Deconstructed by: Nik Merritt

Goal of the game

Sprouts is a two-player game created by two mathematicians, John Horton Conway and Michael S. Paterson, in 1976. There are two types of sprouts games, "normal play" and "Misère play". They are both almost identical, until it comes down to the last move. "Normal" play, the player that has the last available move wins, and in "Misère" play the last person that moves loses. so depending on the type of Sprout game you are playing depends on the goal of the game.

Rules

The rules are simple. The game starts with a few dots on the space (3-9 is a good amount). Each player takes turns moving until there is no more moves left. Each move has two parts, drawing a line connecting two dots, and placing a dot in between the line that has just been drawn. The lines must go from dot to dot without crossing any other lines, but the dots can have no more than three lines coming out from them. A line can go from a dot to itself, but just as long as it does not break the "three line" rule. "Here is an amusing, alternative way to teach the rules of sprouts. (1) Explain what constitutes a legal move. (2) Explain what is a survivor. (3) Say something like, "One of us will play for an even number of survivors, and one of us will play for an odd number of survivors." -world of game sprouts association

Core Mechanic

The uses a turn base mechanic where the player draws a line that connects two dots, then placing a dot in the center of the line that has just been drawn.

Space of the Game

The game is a 2-demenstional space that is placed on a pice of paper. The size of the space is not limited to a specific size. It is just determined on where the players put there dots.

Objects, Attributes, States

Objects that consist in Sprouts are, curved and straight lines, and dots. The dots have a "dead" and "survivor" state. The "dead" state is when the dot has three lines connected to it, meaning there are no more moves from that dot, causing it to be dead. The "survivor" state is when it has less than three lines connected to it.

Actions

Operative actions consist of, placing dots on the line that is just drawn, and drawing a curved or straight line. The resultant actions are a bit tricky. The player can try barricading the "field". He or she can divide up the spaces in half, corning the other players decisions they can make. The player can also create enclosed regions containing "survivors" (usable dots with less than three lines from them) causing the amount of moves to decrease.

Skills Players Learn

Skills a player would learn are thinking about space on a 2d service trying to block or secure objects. Playing a more aggressive approach in sprouts. Also, "building your sense of spatial perception on a flat service" - science foundation