Zombies! - Introduction to the game and testing
Zombies! is a game I'm working on, which simply explained is call of duty zombies in board game form. Now, it isn't exactly like COD zombies, but it's decently close. One of the big differences between the two is mine is turn based as it is a board game
Making the game and how it works
I first started with a 1.5x1.5 inch grid and went from there. I then went and made the zombie spawn windows, gun shop, walls and doors to buy. I had recently bought 1000 small cubes to use for board game ideas, and they were perfect for this. So I made the 2 green colors represent zombies. After some testing I also used the yellow($1) and white ($10) ones to represent money after having to erase and write the current money I had on a paper every 15 seconds. A similar thing was done with health, which after also writing and erasing is now represented with a die. Now, how does the player shoot and move? They use AP(Action points). I came to the number of 3AP per turn as a balanced number for how things were. To move one space it costs 1AP and to shoot your weapons it also costs 1AP(Some cost more). Then I went and made the weapons, which required a lot of time to balance (They still aren't great lol)
Other info:
The turn system goes like: Each player moves/attacks → Zombies move/attack → Repeat.
Each zombie killed gives $1
The green bits represent walls before i draw them in marker and the dice represent buy able doors
A look at the game in play
Some pictures of 2 players playing:
A map legend:
Black dice = Players (Number represents which)
Green dice = Buy able doors(Price is number * 10)
Green bits = Zombies
Black lines = Walls
Dotted lines = Zombies spawn border (Only zombies can pass)
Z = Zombie spawn
Dot = Where a buy able door was bought (Die is gone so players can pass)
We should have been dead but due balancing issues, we literally could not die if played right due to the small corridors
Tests done and outcomes
Some of the tests I did today and their outcomes:
Test: Making all weapons buy able across the map in random places, and not just one shop
Outcome: Feels better than going all the way to the shop to buy a weapon
Test: A limited time between rounds to move around and buy stuff
Outcome: Feels very good, can finally get to shopping without moving very slow as you fight thru waves of zombies
Test: Grid size from 1.5x1.5 inch to 2x2 inch
Outcome: Can fit almost twice the zombies in the grids comfortably. Allows for better balancing and helps create the feel of a horde coming at you better
Test: Players get one free movement that doesn't use AP and turn
Outcome: Players run away to easily from zombies, especially in early game where it makes the player almost untouchable. Maybe make it an buy able upgrade later in game?
Issue with the current version
Randomness - Not enough randomness in the game
Kinda boring - Feels kinda boring atm, I think no randomness in the game is a major reason
See you next time!
Discussion