In the TrenchesIn the Trenches

Rules of the GameRules of the Game

Preliminary Design DraftPreliminary Design Draft

TEAMTEAM

STUDIOSTUDIO

Game and Contact InfoGame and Contact Info

Game Name Game Name : In the Trenches: In the Trenches MembersMembers

• John Albright : Interface and Project OfficerJohn Albright : Interface and Project Officer jjalbright@fullsail.edujjalbright@fullsail.edu

• Joshua Burdette : Gameplay OfficerJoshua Burdette : Gameplay Officer zero_mccloud@comcast.netzero_mccloud@comcast.net

• Nathan Champion : Technology OfficerNathan Champion : Technology Officer floralprint@fullsail.edufloralprint@fullsail.edu

Game SynopsisGame Synopsis

““In The Trenches” is a game themed on In The Trenches” is a game themed on World War I trench warfare in which World War I trench warfare in which players dig their way to the enemy’s home players dig their way to the enemy’s home trench while eliminating all enemies in trench while eliminating all enemies in your way.your way.

Players must plan their moves carefully, Players must plan their moves carefully, place their resources wisely, and use place their resources wisely, and use special cards to gain strategic advantages special cards to gain strategic advantages over their enemies.over their enemies.

OverviewOverview

Demographics : Demographics : • This game is intended for 2-6 players This game is intended for 2-6 players

age 12 and up.age 12 and up.

Play Conditions :Play Conditions :• The game is played on a 22” X 28” grid The game is played on a 22” X 28” grid

and requires a flat surface.and requires a flat surface.• Typical gameplay will be 45 to 75 Typical gameplay will be 45 to 75

minutes a game varying on the amount minutes a game varying on the amount of players.of players.

Comparable ProductsComparable Products

Risk – a global war game involving Risk – a global war game involving careful strategy and army careful strategy and army managementmanagement

Over the Trenches – a Risk variant Over the Trenches – a Risk variant containing World War I themed units containing World War I themed units and focusing on trench warfare troop and focusing on trench warfare troop management.management.

Comparable ProductsComparable Products

Game CoreGame Core

Goal – to exhaust all of the opposing Goal – to exhaust all of the opposing team’s troop reserves.team’s troop reserves.

Obstacles – Between you and your Obstacles – Between you and your enemy exists the hellish “No Man’s enemy exists the hellish “No Man’s Land,” filled with barbed wire, Land,” filled with barbed wire, mustard gas, and machine gun fire.mustard gas, and machine gun fire.

Game CoreGame Core

StrategyStrategy• Outmaneuver your opponents to dig the Outmaneuver your opponents to dig the

most effective trenches as a team!most effective trenches as a team!

• Stock your troops with the best Stock your troops with the best equipment and leave the opposition in equipment and leave the opposition in the dust!the dust!

• Use special weapons and cards to their Use special weapons and cards to their most lethal effect!most lethal effect!

GameplayGameplay

Features:Features:

• Dynamic boardDynamic board

• Appeals to people who like strategyAppeals to people who like strategy

• Inventory such as shotguns and Inventory such as shotguns and grenadesgrenades

GameplayGameplay Game Game

Objects:Objects:

• SoldierSoldier

• Resource Resource TokenToken

• Barbed Barbed Wire Wire

FenceFence

Soldier – the common grunt for both the Central and Allied forces.

Resource Token – something buried in No Man’s Land. Is it something good, or is it a mine?

Barbed Wire Fence – strategic placement of these will impede the enemy

GameplayGameplay

Game ObjectsGame Objects

• R CardsR Cards

• Y CardsY Cards

• 2 4-sided dice2 4-sided dice

• 6-sided die6-sided die

Red Cards – digging up dirt, most will be blank, but a few will have special benefits!

Yellow Cards – Draw one when you decide to open a buried resource token. Is it a mine?

4-sided dice – used for movement.

6-sided die - Used for resource rolling and over the top movement

R

Y

Standard Gameplay and SetupStandard Gameplay and Setup

Players set up theirPlayers set up their home trenches, home trenches,

their initial troops, their initial troops, barricades, and barricades, and resources.resources.

The first team to The first team to vanquish the other vanquish the other side by any means side by any means is the victor.is the victor.

Sequence Sequence of Playof Play

TestingTesting

Play testingPlay testing InterviewsInterviews

• At exit of each gameAt exit of each game ObservationObservation Thinking AloudThinking Aloud

• Players were asked to make vocal Players were asked to make vocal comments in-game about rules/gameplaycomments in-game about rules/gameplay

Testing Issues and SolutionsTesting Issues and Solutions

Slow Movement – 3 moving typesSlow Movement – 3 moving types Old Card-drawing vs. New Card-Old Card-drawing vs. New Card-

drawingdrawing Card Variety – Lots of special cardsCard Variety – Lots of special cards Automatic Death vs. SavesAutomatic Death vs. Saves Going Over the Top – You can move Going Over the Top – You can move

fasterfaster

Our Proudest MomentsOur Proudest Moments

Players enjoying the newer cardsPlayers enjoying the newer cards Seeing the players enjoy the Seeing the players enjoy the

competitioncompetition ““It’s a dud!”It’s a dud!” Seeing more strategy emerge from Seeing more strategy emerge from

the faster gamethe faster game

Hindsight is 20/20Hindsight is 20/20

Movement Pool would have made Movement Pool would have made movement easiermovement easier

Lateral digging should have been Lateral digging should have been rewardedrewarded

Higher mine to resource ratioHigher mine to resource ratio Dynamic reservesDynamic reserves

Q & AQ & A

Does anyone in the audience have a Does anyone in the audience have a question to ask?question to ask?

Many thanks,Many thanks,

Thrice the QuarterThrice the Quarter