Mechanics Makeovers

I love a game with theme, but a theme without a mechanic is a story, not a game. I also love logic problems, but a logic problem without a mechanic is a puzzle. A game is many things, but ultimately what makes it a game is its mechanic(s) and what makes a good game is good mechanics. (OK. Maybe overstated, but this is the Mechanics section, right!?)

Similar to a Game Makeover, a Mechanics Makeover takes an existing mechanic and explores variations to the mechanic that may provide insight into a new or modified use of it. Instead of dissecting a game to find out how it works and improving on it, I will analyze a (likely) well-known mechanic and look for ways to modify and hopefully improve upon it then suggest some specific uses for it in its new form.

Objective

Redesign a traditional or well-known mechanic to provoke ideas for new variations and uses. In this process I expect to post:

• An evaluation of the existing mechanic for what is working and what needs work.
• A description and rationale of each “improvement.”
• Implementation in a game or gamelet (a mini game that exercises one mechanic).
• The evaluation – redesign – playtest cycle for major changes.
• Any tools that I use or create in the process.
• A description with rules and PnP files (as appropriate) of any product.
• (Maybe) A step or two further; exploring the mechanic in concert with others to form a more complex game design.

Hopefully you find this discovery process interesting and maybe even gain some inspiration from it.