Solo Play Game

Introduction

The last in a series of 3Will training games is the single player version. The main features are:

• a mind-numbing yet beguiling action, drawing you toward a surprisingly expected entanglement.

• four sets of six pieces. Each set has a single colour and its individual pieces are numbered.

• an instruction set of five coloured dice comprising four identifiers and one director.

• there are plays and rounds (no turns in this version). A round includes four plays oriented at right angles to each other.

• each play uses the same instruction set.

• an optional extension, including scoring and extended stacking, can be played as a continuation of the normal game.

• concurrent solo tournaments are possible.

Protocol

The instruction set directs you to move specifically identified pieces. You play by moving them according to their orientation and the relevant rules.

Objective

Normal Game

Attempt to form a stack that includes three pieces of different colours. When this occurs the game ends.

Extended Game

If you elect to continue playing, your initial score will be 3 points. During extended play you attempt to accrue more points. You can retire at the end of any round, provided you have at least 6 points. If you retire before the minimum, your final score will be zero.

Scoring

In the extended game you can accumulate points:

• 3 points for a stack of three different colours.

• 6 points for a stack of four different colours.

• double points for a stack with all pieces numbered alike.

Setup

The game is intentionally physical and designed to be assembled from commonly available materials. The essential parts are:

• five different coloured dice:  four identifiers (RGBY) and a director (white).

• four sets of six stackable pieces with colours matching the identifier dice. The pieces in each set are numbered 1 to 6, corresponding to a standard die sequence.

• any 8 by 8 chequered board can be used, which is prepared as shown in Figure 1.  Although the setup pattern is fixed, the pieces in each of the colour sets can be arranged in any order, allowing over 268 billion possible combinations.

• four direction charts, one for each set of pieces. The charts are available from Resources and may be arranged and rotated to help with play orientation (see Figure 2).

Game Length

A typical duration for the normal single player game is about 15 minutes while the extended version has no definite period. Tournaments are limited to a deemed time allowance.

Normal Play:

Plays normally progress clockwise, in RGBY order:

• generate an instance of the instruction set (throw the dice).

• to complete a round you must perform one move for each of the four pieces identified in the instruction set. For example: a "3" on the red die identifies piece number "3" in the red set.

• move each identified piece one step in the direction indicated by the director die and oriented with the direction charts. When moving backwards you have a choice of three target locations.

• opposite edges are connected together, so you are able to move any identified piece across the board as directed.

• undirected free play:
  if all five dice display the same number you can move any piece, one of each colour, in any direction.

• directed free play:
  if just the identifier dice display the same number you can move any piece, one of each colour, according to the director.

• rounds are repeated until the normal objective is achieved.

Extended Play:

Plays continue, in a manner similar to normal, with some additions and variations:

• the scoring system commences.

• extended stack protocol is included.

• involuntary retirement occurs if a play cannot be completed.

• rounds are repeated until the extended objective is achieved.

Competition Play:

A potentially unlimited number of solo players can simultaneously compete in tournaments under the following conditions:

• there must be an independent adjudicator, a role that includes banker and dice master.

• contenders have separate boards and pieces.

• a time allowance is predetermined for the tournament and play time is managed using a banking system.

• in each round, all active players use the same instruction set and can choose their own play order.

• retirements follow the extended objective rules. To remain in contention, players should retire strategically.

• the adjudicator determines a winner, based on individual scores and time bank balances.

Stacking

In solo play, stacking is simply defined as the formation of groups of pieces in the same location. The solo stack protocols include novel modifications of the conventional mechanism.

Normal Stack Protocol:

• a stack can contain a maximum of two pieces.

• if the instruction set directs, any identified piece (the source) can stack any other piece (the target).

• if the stack limit is exceeded, the lowest target piece is ejected and placed lowest in the source location (injected).

• if any member of a stack is directed to move to an empty location then the entire group must move together.

• a piece must* separate from its stack if directed to move to an occupied location (*except to meet the Normal objective).

• all pieces remain in active play, regardless of their board location or stack position.

Extended Stack Protocol:

• a stack can contain more than two pieces but is only stable if the colours are all different.

• an entire source stack can stack any target, provided the preceding condition is also met.

• if multiple ejections are required, they must be carried out consecutively.

• if a piece is injected  into a stack causing an instability, then the same piece must be ripple rejected  until stability is restored.

• ripple rejection propagates in a straight line extending from the original ejection location, through the injection location toward a stable final destination.

Time Banking

A time bank is employed during competition play. At the beginning of a tournament, the adjudicator sets the maximum total play time (e.g. 40 minutes) which is added to each player's account balance.

During a round:

• time (in secs.) is deducted from each active player's balance until they finish their round.

• in lieu of  free play you can add free time to your balance;
  deposit 20 secs. for an undirected free-play or 10 secs. for a directed free-play.

• if a player runs out of time they must retire with zero score.

At the end of a round:

• any remaining time is retained (banked).

When the account balance of the last active player is exhausted, or when all players have retired, the tournament ends.