Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
These rule changes make two important changes to the basic economic structure:
n
They remove the dynamic engine that was formed by gaining an action for every
two stations that you build. It is replaced by a new dynamic engine that operates
via transporters. The old system also produced a lot of feedback because players
had to build many way stations to get to remote resources and produced a lot of
static friction because they had to spend ore to build those stations. The new system
reduces both the feedback and the friction.
n
The role of energy has grown more important. Players can now use energy to
duplicate resources. This creates a converter engine, as shown in
Figure 9.14
. Energy
may be used to produce more ice (via purification), and ice may be used to create
more energy. From this figure it should become clear that building purifiers make
sense only when the player can convert ice into at least two energy tokens. Also,
these changes create a much higher demand for energy, and it might be a good idea
to increase its availability somehow.
FIGURe 9.14
The new converter
engine in
Lunar
Colony
more Features, more upkeep
The downside of the suggested rule changes is that the game becomes slower and more
cumbersome to play. There is more information for the player to keep track of. Because
this game is only a prototype, you shouldn't worry about this too much, however. if you
converted the prototype into a video game, the computer would be responsible for the
bookkeeping, and if you used it to develop a board game, the physical and graphical
design of the board would be used to help players keep track of the game.
Obstacles and events
One of the great features of
Caesar III
is the way that it uses obstacles and scripted
events to create different experiences for every mission. You can use them to improve
Lunar Colony
as well. Here are some suggestions to create obstacles:
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A very simple obstacle can be created by making parts of the playing surface
unavailable. Put anything that comes to hand (books, cups, small boxes) on the table
before setting up the game. Resources and stations can be placed only on the table
