Snowball

Premise

-         Snowball is a board game which uses the basic chess board and piece value system. It then adds a spin on the typical gameplay of chess. It does this by simplifying all the pieces to only be able to move according to their piece value. Example: pawn is worth 1 point so it can only move 1 square per turn. If a piece takes another it adds base value to the base value of the piece taken.

Gameplay

Objective / Goal

-          A skill expressive variant/twist on chess which adds more emphasis on building a lead through points which lowers your opponents options. This makes moments where players gain leads or lose leads more interesting to play and observe.

Character portrayal:

-          Gangster based pieces which include,

  Kingpin, Queenpin, Driver, Hideout, Assassin and foot soldiers.

Character Roles:

  Kingpin:

 0 base value, other pieces can sacrifice themselves to increase the point value. It cannot move until      a sacrifice takes place. A piece can only sacrifice if it has captured another piece. The kingpin is the   only piece which earns the full value of a piece all other pieces take the base values on captured pieces.

  Queen pin:

5 base value, Piece can sacrifice other pieces on own team to gain their base value. Sacrifice only takes place if the piece being sacrificed has already moved.

  Foot Soldier:

Starts with 2 base value but once it moves it loses half its points. 2 left feet. Foot soldiers cannot move backwards.

  Driver:

4 base value, can capture a foot soldier on either team ( as long team soldier has captured another piece first) increasing its value to 10 once its value reaches 10 its value is locked for the rest of the game.

  Hideout:

2 base value, if via position on the board this piece is captured for the first time. It can swap places with any team piece with a lower current value to save itself. itswaps its value with the piece swapped. 

  Assassin:

6 points base value. Only gains more points if it uses 100% of base value to make the capture.

Environment:

8x8 Grid. Each square uses up 1 point to move into. Small gangster symbolism and imagery around the board on the pieces for visual effect.

Post Mortem

I think this is a cool concept that I have been reconsidering since creating this portfolio. here are some things in relation to this project I would implement going forward to improve on the design:

1. Playtest. Playtest. Playtest. the values need to be balanced and ensure that the game can playout the way I intend. 

2. More playtesting to understand strategies which can tie into the balance but also can help me showcase the game to new players.

3. practise making a digital version that can be played in browser. and also create a physical version as well.