Just a mini-update today.
Titans of Industry is where I want it to be. Last night we had a test and the game was great. Bottoming-out is gone. The game ends in less than two-and-a-half hours with five players. The strategy is deep. The tactics are sharp. Turns are filled with tension. Players always have something valuable to do.
This is the version I am sending to a publisher who requested it at GenCon.
On Saturday I'm going to a completely new playtest group and let them do a blind test to make sure my rulebook is comprehensible.
Next week I'll make up a new, pretty, prototype to send out and send it.
A couple of caveats:
Maybe I'm deluding myself and this game is too niche or poorly designed to ever get published, but I don't care. I am happier with this game as it is than I've ever been with one of my designs and I can feel in my heart that it will get published. I am going to enjoy that feeling for a while.
This was a good week.
Titans of Industry is where I want it to be. Last night we had a test and the game was great. Bottoming-out is gone. The game ends in less than two-and-a-half hours with five players. The strategy is deep. The tactics are sharp. Turns are filled with tension. Players always have something valuable to do.
This is the version I am sending to a publisher who requested it at GenCon.
On Saturday I'm going to a completely new playtest group and let them do a blind test to make sure my rulebook is comprehensible.
Next week I'll make up a new, pretty, prototype to send out and send it.
A couple of caveats:
- I am still fashioning a "beginner's version" of the game. However, I know exactly what it will do. It's just a matter of physical contruction. For now, I'll just include a note to the publisher that I am developing a simplified version for first-time players.
- Whoever decides to publish this (if anyone), may decide that he or she wants the game changed. That's fine with me. But this is the version that I will shop around. I am done developing this game. It is time for me to move on to finishing Privateering and start detailed design work on my city builder game, which I've decided to call Municipality.
Maybe I'm deluding myself and this game is too niche or poorly designed to ever get published, but I don't care. I am happier with this game as it is than I've ever been with one of my designs and I can feel in my heart that it will get published. I am going to enjoy that feeling for a while.
This was a good week.
Michael: it was nice to meet you and I had a ton of fun playing Titans. It's in great shape: well-balanced and moves along well. You should be proud.
ReplyDeleteHi Michael,
ReplyDeleteThis is Chris from the play test in NYC. I'm glad I had the chance to try Titans of Industry, and I'm looking forward to seeing the next prototype. Forget those doubts. I think this will do great. Best of luck!
Chris Choi
Tim: Now that the graphics work is finally done I am working on updating the rulebook itself.
ReplyDeleteDan, Chris: Thanks for testing the game and for the kind words!
Played this at PAX on the Game Salute demo tables. We did a 3 player game and really enjoyed it. The theme is fun and the pieces/cards are easy to work with. I hope to play, again, someday. There were some good notes left on their rulebook printout. I hope you get a chance to see them. Thanks for a good game!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, that's actually not my game. Another company took the name for their own game. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, but I am not to thank.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm still high in Google searches for the game name after four years of using it.
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