Initial thread (for those who are lost)
Well first, here's the more complete set of rules:
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Jazz Jackrabbit Card Game
(based on Triple Triad, of Final Fantasy 8 (PSX))
No. of Players
2 to 4.
Objective
The object of the game is to control the majority of the cards on the playing field. You control the cards that you play onto the field, but control of the cards can change throughout the game.
Layout (Updated)
The playing field is a matrix of cells, where a card can be played in each cell. Common field sizes are 3x3, 5x5, and 7x7.
Each player also has a hand. Beginning hand size is dependent on the size of the field and number of players:
(too lazy to write neat html table)
Field Size.........Hand Size
..........2 Players.3 Players.4 Players
3x3.......5 cards...-.........-
5x5.......13 cards..9 cards...7 cards
7x7.......-.........-.........13 cards
Cards are chosed before the game begins. You are allowed to have no more than one copy of any card in your hand at the start of the game.
Cards (Updated)
Each card resembles a player from the Jazz community, and includes a brief description of them, along with game-related abilities and effects. The effect of a card in a game with the basic ruleset follows:
The card has four ordered values. These values can range from 1-9, and A (A is treated as greater than 9). Each value printed represents one side of the physical card; i.e. there is a value for the top of the card, as well as the bottom, left and right sides.
Each card may also have one or more special abilities, which can be triggered during play. Abilities are effect that can alter some aspect of the game. These effect may be instant, or last one full turn (until the end of your next turn). Abilities may be conditional, and only work under certain circumstances. Following are some examples of possible abilities:
Turn: This card gets a +3 to all side values.
Instant: Gain control of any one card that has a "started roasting" date within the last two years.
Turn: All opponents cards get -1 to top and bottom values.
Note: Side values always have a minimum value of 1, and a maximum value of A.
Play (updated)
On your turn, you play a card from your hand onto an empty cell in the field.
If your card's values are higher than any opposing cards adjacent, you gain control of those cards. The value used to check for control is the one that represents the side touching the opposing card. (Implication: If you card's value is equal or lower than the opponent's card, nothing happens.)
If you gain control of more than one card in this respect (on the same turn), any one of the card's special abilities may be triggered by you (if it has any).
End of Game (Updated)
Turns continue to alternate until the entire field is filled.
Tie handling for multiple players: The player with the most side value points left in their hand wins (Add up all the values from all cards in your hand). If you have no hand, you have zero points in counting a tie.
Example of Control Switch (Capture)
The Devan card (fake) has values of 2 up, 7 down, 5 left, 4 right.
Player A plays a Devan card, then Player B plays a Devan card directly above it. The bottom of B's card touches the top of A's card, so they are checked for control. Since B's 7 (on the bottom) is greater than A's 2 (on the top), B captures A's card. B now controls both cards on the field.
Rule Variants (New)
Any number of these rules may be added to the basic rules to change the game. Any rule used here supercede the basic rules.
Open - Players play with their hands face up (so that the other player can see the cards).
Pure - Players cannot use special abilities.
Sudden Death - The first player to make a multiple capture (two or more cards) wins.
Other variants may be added later.
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Second, here are the guidelines for a card template/blank (for those who want to design the visual card):
Suggested size: 250x350 pixels. Conceptually, the actual board will feature cards at a smaller size, but selecting a card will allow you to view the full size card with all details.
Card must display fields for the following information:
- Player's Primary Name
- Other Aliases/AKAs (if any)
- Started Roasting Date (when player joined community; month and year)
- Likes
- Dislikes
- Brief Description (a good paragraph)
Card must also display side values and special abilities.
As long as the card can show the above features, you have freedom of design. You may also want to have a picture in the foreground or background to spice it up.
You may leave out the optional "AKAs" field on cards which do not have any AKAs. You may also change the name of a field if you have another suggestion for it, or you may use pictures or other symbols to represent fields, instead of a text label. You should fill out the card with example descriptions and abilities (doesn't matter who or how real it will be).
The template will be voted on. We may decided to use multiple templates.
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Lastly, guidelines for creating a card!
Note: Vulgarity, and flaming of others will not be advertised on cards. If any submitted material is questionable, the card is subject to be modified or rejected.
Your card should be able to fill in the fields stated above. Please be as accurate as possible where something may be questionable. Your description should be written in third person, otherwise you write whatever you like within a reasonable length (1-4 sentences).
With regards to game mechanics, you will be allowed to spend 24 points on side values and abilities. Abilities: Currently, you will have freedom to choose your abilities within reason. Examples of effects resulting from abilities are changing card values (turn), changing control (instant), swapping cards from one hand/table with other cards (instant).
The average ability will cost 4 points; the potency of the ability may alter its cost. The three examples given in the rules would cost 4 points each. Extreme abilities, such as resetting the game and winning the game instantly will be acceptable, but only with extreme costs (I have marked those at 12 and 16 points, respectively). The only effects that are currently prohibited are anything which change the size of a player's hand (with obvious exceptions, like resetting the game). Your abilities may have names (inside jokes, anyone?). You may have up to three special abilities on your card. Side Values:
The rest of your points may be distributed however you like amongst your side values (minimum of 1, maximum of A).
I will post an example of a card if I ever finish my example template.
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If you wish, you can send any templates or card requests to me via e-mail, ICQ, or AIM (you can also post them in this thread if you don't care about publicity). The response to this will affect my will to continue with the project, so I do not want to make any guarantees. Newspaz has decided that PHP isn't the way to go, and is now researching VDS (Visual Dialog Script).
Oh and the title of the game is open for suggestion as well.