Jon Simantov
United States
New York
New York
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After playing with 4 players and realizing just how much downtime there is in this game while waiting for 3 other players to build their machines (and run them), I was thinking, how about a variant where everyone builds their machine at the same time?
Materials:
One "Start Player" indicator.
Four number tiles, marked 1 through 4.
Determine Start Player randomly, as normal. That player gets the Start Player marker. Set aside the number markers. Then, each player, starting with the Start Player, can play 1 card into their machine, in order around the table. Then, each player (in order) can play a second card into their machine (scrapping one first, as normal). Etc. Basically you just go around the group, and each player can play one card into their machine, or can pass. Much shorter turns.
Once a player "passes" they can take a number tile 1-4 from the pile. They are done adding to their machine. The number tiles determine the order the machines will run in. Run each player's machines in order (each player "cleaning up the shop" when their machine finishes), then, pass the Start Player marker over to the left and do it again.
I was also thinking of extending this variant to where the machines would run at the same time, card by card. You'd have a marker to show at which point of resolving your machine you were in--it would only land on contraptions (blue) and consumables (rust)--and each player resolves one card at a time in sequence. Actually, with this variant, there isn't a tremendous advantage to running the machine first, so I'd do away with the number tiles and just have a rotating start player marker to indicate who starts the build and the machine-running.
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Witthawat Piwawatthanapanit
Thailand
Kratumban
Samuthsakorn
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A good idea for fasten the game time.
I'll try it. ^^
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Christopher Onstad
United States
Donald
Oregon
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Have you played this way yet? How well does it work? On the one hand it sounds like it would speed up the game dramatically. But I wonder how much it will actually change the game and the effects. Especially because some of the effects of running a machine can make major changes in a persons hand. Won't some of the be lost if everyone is playing their cards at once. I know the game is about draining your opponents stockpile. But hurting their hand can be beneficial.
I have a similar question in the "Run at the same time" option. Again, I do see how it would significantly speed up the game. But wouldn't it lessen the usefulness of some of the steal a piece of another machine cards?
I am curious to try a faster version of this game, so if you've tried it please let me know how much the feel of the game changes.
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Posted Fri Nov 7, 2008 6:20 pm
