Sunday, February 8, 2009

Challenge 3: Cardboard Box

Well, I was thinking of a game that could be made out of a cardboard box that wouldn't be a standard roll dice and move game. I wanted to make a game that would be challeneging, yet add humour for the opponents playing against each other. What I came up with was a game where you have a cardboard box placed 5 feet from the players. Each player takes turns throwing a paper airplane at the box trying to get it inside to score points. In the end, this game will get harder the more the players suck at it!

These are the rules I came up with!

Materials: 1 Cardboard box, and some paper.

To setup the game, you need to place the box face up, 5 feet away from the players. Each player takes turns throwing a paper airplane and trying to get it to land in the box. The airplanes can be of any design that the player chooses, but it must be small enough to fit into the box. You score 1 point each time you get your airplane into the box. If you miss getting the airplane into the box, your next turn must be taken at one additional foot from the box. For example, if you miss your first throw, on your second turn, you will stand 6 feet from the box instead of 5. Play will continue for 10 turns, at which point whoever has the highest score wins. In addition to moving one foot back each turn for a miss, that player must also follow these rules.

1 miss: 6 feet back, must use non dominant hand to throw. Example, if you are right handed, throw with your left hand.
2 misses: 7 feet back, must throw while hopping on one leg.
3 misses: 8 feet back, must close eyes to throw.
4 misses: 9 feet back, must throw while facing away from the box.
5-10 misses: 10 feet back, must throw while facing away from the box, and using the non dominant hand.

1 comment:

  1. Nick,

    Great concept! You've taken a positive feedback loop and made the challenge so ridiculous that it continues to add negative numbers to the losing players! The absurdity of the penalties adds more fun to the game. Again, I am curious about the addition of alcohol to a game such as this.

    What did you learn about game design by using this type of feedback system? Do you think it's only possible if the game is made so impossible as to be ridiculous? Remember that your players enjoyed the game, even though they were not winning it! This in itself is important.

    Compare it with say, a game of catch:

    -Two players toss a ball back and forth and try to catch the ball.
    -If the player catches the ball, he or she steps back one pace.
    -Continue until a player misses.

    Devin Monnens

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