Low-Tech Game Systems (2003)

It's two players. Player 1 draws a stick figure. Player 2 draws a hazard that will result in the stick figure's imminent death. Player 1 draws something to prevent the death. Neither player is allowed to repeat.

Usually neither player ever wins, but rather the lecture that the players were ignoring comes to an end.

https://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Game-Design-Systems-Approach...

This blog post didn't really do much for me. The blog author's definition of system is not how contemporary game development community uses the word. We wouldn't call decks of cards "systems", they're just game pieces. Systems are things more like "economy" or "crafting" - networks of mechanics working together.

Over the course of a few years, rules got made that turned it into a really fun game.

One was you have to declare in specific form.

Slug bug blue! Or slug bugs two red one blue.

Bad form is no points, others can quickly take the call points by following good form. An error might be saying slug bugs, when there is only one. Or putting color before number. No nos.

If any part of the call is wrong, no points. Call remains open as long as bug in reasonable view. Incomplete calls are no points. However, players can correctly call a partial set of visible bugs and get those points.

Driver, if playing gets two points given, but cannot win with less than 4.

Bad call is negative the value of the call. We had a zero floor, but that got exploited so negative scores were allowed.

It is a game of honor. The first kid to get that wrong caused the challenge rules. If trip agenda permit, players petition driver, after a vote to challenge. Driver returns to validate call if possible.

If not possible, players vote to validate call, vote again on intent perception. Nefarious or honest mistake. That vote is grave, because a player seen to be nefarious must have all calls confirmed with form.

NP calls, "Slug bug blue" Other players in good faith seek it and validate with, "bug blue valid"

I have somewhere a verbose write up, "Let's play slug bug!" It contains some lore, how it got started and the last ruleset used.

I wrote it right as the kids and their peers were entering that busy late childhood. Saving it for later. Their kids.

At one point, several families were avid players and would tell me of their sessions and proposed rules. I would communicate them to others so the game was coherent no matter who was in the car.

Was kind of amazing to see evolve.

That one kid abusing it gelled the little community of players. We found out how much people liked that car game. I remember working seriously on the rules. A good game was in crisis. It had to be fun, fair, possible to be redeemed.

That happens after three validated call sessions considered worthy games, not just a trip to the store. At that point, everyone is once again peers, all forgotten.

Sometimes the kids would contribute to the rule making. They were the advocates of form. Just shouting shit was no fun. The structure had to be learned, but simple enough to be fun. That cleaned up the game and made it a thing. Others picked up on it and wanted to learn more.

So, why bother?

Well, I had fun with my kids. This game competed with early cellphones even. It would not always compete with the INFOCOM games I had in the back seat HP Palmtop running frotz, just FYI, but I digress!

There is a time and place for family car games and they are memorable. Play slug bug, or one of your own creation. Make memories.

That is why. I hope more interesting and entertaining than the blog post too. Enjoy! No sleight to the author. I just did not get much on this one, and thought I would share something instead