Reading for 9/30

All that advice about plagiarizing in the last reading should be put in context by the reading for Wednesday's class: GDR 518-537. This reading will really help you as you think about game design.

Reading for 9/28

This reading also includes a complete set of games rules - which are good as an example of a moderately complicated mini-game - but you need not read the rules carefully. (Pay attention to his tips on game design, though.) You might find it interesting to see his game was published and has a pretty good rating on boardgamegeek. In fact, there is even an online version of this game you can play.

For discussion: Is the advice presented here for designing war games applicable to the sorts of group projects you are likely to do? To the (abstract?) game you design? Try to give concrete examples in your discussion. Interact with what other students have said.

The best Yahtzee algorithm was supplied by: Todd Oravic, Bethany Eiche (tie). Congratulations! These two students need not do the Strategy paper.

Wednesday's reading

Monday's reading was supposed to be an article on Connection Games that appeared in the June 2000 issue of Games Magazine. Unfortunately I cannot find it! So; no reading...

Tuesday's Games

Please take a look at:

• Ben Hurt
  
• Ave Ceasar
  
  
• Go 500
  
• Mille Bornes
  
• Speed Circuit
  
• Formula De

Reading 9/16

• How to get Lucky
• Could you live by the Magic 8-Ball?

For Mon 8/14

Game Theory (GDR 382-408)

For discussion: Give an example of a "mixed strategy" from your own life.

Paper One

The strategy guide you write for Paper One should be based on one of the Icehouse games appearing on the Icehouse Wiki.

Each student must pick a different game - first come first served - so claim your game in the comments below! Do not pick a game we played in lab.

To develop your strategy guide, first become familiar with the game - so get together with a small group of students and some pieces and try actually playing the game (they can play yours and you can play theirs.) Do this *outside* of class!

The "math content" need not be complete for the entire game - but support at least one strategy recommendation you make with some probability analysis similar to what I've done in the Card and Dice lectures (recall the slides below.)

Notes

Here are links to the class notes so far as pdf files:

Introduction
Epistemology
Card Counting
Dice and Probability

For Wed 9/9

For discussion: What does this chapter suggest to you about possible strategies for playing Yahtzee? (Please read other students comments and do not repeat ideas that have already been posted.)

Next Activity Period (Sept 8th)

we'll play some ice house games. please bring your stashes.

and please take a look at these rules - so you'll be able to play these games...

• Martian Chess
• Torpedo
• Thin Ice
• Undercut
• Zendo

I'll bring the stones, chess board, laser pointer, etc.