tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14856978.post116029348281507497..comments2024-03-28T05:12:10.477-07:00Comments on Gone Gaming: Mathematics & Game Design, Part OneColdfoothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11636345146138362966noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14856978.post-1162920288764950802006-11-07T09:24:00.000-08:002006-11-07T09:24:00.000-08:00Maybe you just don't like the byproduct of a game ...Maybe you just don't like the byproduct of a game that makes you do math? For many games the math involved is absolutely necessary for the game design. The game would not be a good game at all if it did not have a foundation in mathematics.<BR/><BR/>Usually the byproduct of a game that "makes you do math" is the analysis paralysis that inevitably happens especially near the end of the game. <BR/><BR/>A few good solutions to cure this problem. Hidden resources and money. <BR/>Powergrid for example is typically played with hidden money to cut down on the AP time. Also using a timer is also a good way to limit a player taking forever to make their decision. <BR/><BR/>I have a decent mathematical background but I am perfectly willing to "spitball" (estimate) my decisions in order to speed the game along. I admit I do get caught in the AP trap and will start calculating things especially when others shamelessly do it.<BR/><BR/>If game designers were not allowed to design games with solid mathematical foundations, I think that would make for a lot of crappy games being produced. Or maybe they would all be RPG's which would probably make some people happy. But even RPGs have a mathematical basis.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14856978.post-1161817453327223602006-10-25T16:04:00.000-07:002006-10-25T16:04:00.000-07:00Interesting article. I know that I actually enjoy...Interesting article. I know that I actually enjoy doing the math in many games, and that's why I like them. But then, I was a Math and Statistics major, so obviously doing calculations is very enjoyable for me.<BR/><BR/>That's definitely a lot of why I like Power Grid. I <I>like</I> doing all the calculations every turn -- "I can bid this much right now, because I have to save that much to buy 4 coal and 3 oil, and I'm going to need to build 3 routes this turn." I think I can do the calculations fast enough, while other people are bidding, that I don't slow the game down. I certainly try to play at a good speed.<BR/><BR/>Conversely, this is why I'll veto games like Torres and Java. The game screams out to be calculated, but it's just not possible. There are too many darn choices to make, but all of them <I>could</I> be computed to figure out which one is the best one. And it just turns out to be frustrating to me.<BR/><BR/>And it's funny, I think the one time I played Boomtown (with you), I was basically doing the calculation of value that you describe.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14856978.post-1160697055021905232006-10-12T16:50:00.000-07:002006-10-12T16:50:00.000-07:00I enjoy Boomtown. I do not try to do any hard math...I enjoy Boomtown. I do not try to do any hard mathematics to make a decision; I tend to rely on intuition. Perhaps that's why I never win this game!Gerald McDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03032201828179314072noreply@blogger.com