The following is the original concept for the board game called 'Soul Windows'. This will provide the basis for my project. I will adapt the approach to a first person single player game. I have also modified the story line and the depth of the storyline which I will detail in a subsequent post.
Executive SummarySoul Windows is a game that causes players to use their ingenuity to gather information while hindering other players from doing the same. The game will employ an approach that includes game play from the games Clue, Sorry, and Dark Tower. Each player begins in a ‘displaced’ state meaning that they have had their bodies stolen from them. Their objective will be to find sufficient clues to identify the individual who has stolen their body. Once they can identify the host of their body, they can confront them in a final battle/challenge. If they are victorious in this final challenge, they win the game. If not, they must wait until their next turn before attempting again.
The interesting aspect of Soul Windows is that a player will experience the game in two different states. The two states are living and displaced. As mentioned previously, all players begin in a displaced state. While players are in this state, their objective is to escape the world of the dead by displacing another player or obtaining a body from a non- player character. Players will draw a determined number of cards when it is their turn. The cards will give them the ability to take certain actions. Once a player has found a way into the living state, they can begin to search for clues.
Each player in the game will also serve as a body thief for one of the other players. At the beginning of the game, they will draw from a set of cards that will determine which one of the other player’s body they have stolen. They have stolen. As players collect information, they will eventually have enough information to challenge whoever has their body. At this time, the players will engage in a die exercise that will represent a final battle. Depending on the outcome of the die exercise, the challenging player will either win the game or experience an in game death in the world of the living in which they send back to the world of the dead or in other worlds, back to the displaced state.
Demographics/AudienceThis game is intended to have a duration of one half hour to possible to two hours depending on the skill of the players to inhibit other players. Although the game theme deals with the paranormal, the game play is a combination of mystery, strategy, and chance. The game itself is not overly complex and anyone of the age 12 or over who enjoy board games would be able to learn and effectively play the game. Individuals who enjoy science fiction will find that the subject matter and the symbolic game play adds additional appeal.
Story/History/BackgroundThe concept for this game originated from a video game concept I produced while brainstorming in my non-linear story-telling course. I wasn’t planning to use the concept for anything, but I liked the idea so much, developing a board game for the concept could definitely help me to take it a step further.
The story began with a two scientist studying the afterlife. Using research they had obtained from ancient religions and new technology, they developed a method that they believed would allow them to look into the afterlife. However, on their first attempt to use their new process, the experienced more than they expected. They did succeed in opening a rift into the afterlife, but they did not expect that something would be waiting on the other side. Some form of an ethereal being entered through the rift that they created and stole the very body of one of the scientists. It was not merely a simple possession of the body and soul, the being actually displaced the spirit of the scientist and sent into the world of the dead. Being free with a corporeal form in the real world, the being began to develop its malevolent plans to exist eternally in the living world by feeding on the life force of all humanity. It is in this state that the scientist finds himself in the world of the dead without identity. Fortunately, his former partner uses the same technology that made the rift into afterlife to contact him and together they discover how to find and enter ‘Soul Windows’ with which he can locate certain individuals in the living world and displace their souls to allow him to reenter the world of the living. Once back in the world of the living, the scientist uses the identities of the bodies that he assumes to hunt down the rogue spirit that stole his body. Through re-death and displacement, the scientist eventual tracks down the being and uses a collection of skills and abilities to displace the being back into the world of the dead.
ObjectiveThe objective of the game is for each player to find a match to their identity symbols to in effect identify who stole their body. Once players have found their identity, the player to their left serves as their body thief whom they challenge to regain their soul.
Equipment2 Dice
6 Player Pieces
1 Game Board
9 Envelopes
18 Red Symbol Cards
36 Blue Folder Cards
50 Green Play Cards
SetupSelect one player to pass 3 cards to each player from the Red Card deck. Each player views the cards he or she has received. They then put the cards face down in front of them. Each time a player dies or is displaced, they must reveal one of their identity cards to the other players until all of their cards are displayed.
The dealing player will then shuffle and divide up the blue cards evenly between the 9 clue folders representing each of the areas on the game board.
Each player up to 6 players selects a unique playing piece an places it on the corresponding color on the game board making sure that the side of the playing piece representing the displaced or dead state (side with the x) is facing upward. Every player begins in the displaced state.
Once players have positioned their pieces, each player rolls one die. The player with the highest roll begins play. Turn proceeds from the beginning player clockwise around the board.
BeginWhen a player’s turn begins, they have two possible actions. The can choose to roll the die to enter the living state if they are on their home space or in the church. If they roll a 1 or a 6 while on their home space, the player becomes living. Once a player enters the living state, they turn their playing piece over so that their piece shows that they are no longer dead. Players can also select from the movement card stack and then play out the instructions written on the card. A card is discarded faced up once it has been played.
MovementMovement in the game is dependent on the state that you are in. If you are dead, you can move in any direction (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) without respect to doors or pathways. In addition, when you draw a movement card, you move your piece double the number of spaces displayed on the card. If you are brought to life for whatever reason, you must move your game piece to the nearest game space or building adjacent to your playing piece. Once alive, you can only move your playing piece along the pathways. In addition, you can only move horizontally or vertically. You must also enter buildings through a marked doorway. If you select a card that provides more spaces to move to than is required to reach your destination, you may move to the destination without moving the excess spaces.
Game PlayPlayers move about the board to the different areas. Each area contains clues. However a player must be living in order to look inside a clue folder in an area. A dead player can occupy a space simultaneously with a living player. If the living player looks inside the clue folder, the dead player can roll a die to see what the living players sees. The dead player must roll a 6. If the player rolls a 6, then the living player must allow him or her to view the card that they viewed. When a player chooses to look inside a clued folder, they view only the top card. If it is a match to one of their identity cards, they retain the card and display the match for all players to see. If the card is not a match, they return the card to the bottom of the folder.
If a player draws a card to displaces another player, they have the option of stealing one of their visible identity cards. The player must exchange the card with one of their own identity cards. Once a player has obtain 3 complete matching sets, they may make a challenge to regain their soul. If successful, they win the game.
Action/Power CardsDisplace Player: Also player to displace another player and enter the world of the living and optionally exchange one of their identity cards.
Move Cards: (1-9 Spaces) Allows Players to move specified number of spaces. (Double the spaces for players in the displaced state).
Steal Identity Card: Prevent an opponent from obtaining a clue.
Live or Die: Allows player to die or to live.
Go to the graveyard: Go to the graveyard become dead, and lose a turn.
Final Confrontation MechanicsThe player and the body-thief (The person to the left of the player) each roll a 1 die 3 times. The player who rolls the highest score two out of 3 times, wins the battle. If the challenging character wins the battle, they win the game. If not, they are displaced, and must reenter the world of the living to re-challenge to regain their body.
