Luddite | Kimberly's Prototype Thoughts

Summary

Luddite is a campaign-style game where players engage in a hacking adventure through a neural network, making all executive decisions in a cyberpunk setting. The game features a unique blend of dice rolling and strategic decision-making, with players using a 'needle' to send bugs into the system and navigate through a network of switches and locked doors. As players progress, they accumulate damage points and bonuses, racing against a clock that adds a real-time feel to the gameplay. The game is paired with a biographical novel that evolves with each map, offering a sci-fi narrative that parallels the players' journey. Luddite provides a rich, thematic experience suitable for solo, competitive, or cooperative play, with a focus on replayability and strategic depth. The game's mechanics are simple yet challenging, utilizing only three dice, a dry erase board, and contact paper, making it accessible and engaging for a wide range of players.

Takeaways

• 🎲 Luddite is a campaign-style game where players hack through a neural network, making all executive decisions in a cyberpunk setting.
• 🌐 Players use a 'needle' to send a bug into the system, navigating through a network to unlock switches, gain bonuses, and inflict damage.
• ⏱ The game has a time constraint, with players racing against their own 'clock', which adds a sense of urgency and strategic decision-making.
• 🔢 Players roll dice at the start of each turn, using them to mark off sections on their clock and navigate the network, with higher numbers consuming more time.
• 💥 Risky moves can yield higher damage points; rolling high numbers on the dice can provide more damage but also consumes more time.
• 🧩 The game features a 'hack section' similar to a crossword puzzle, where players meet number requirements to gain bonuses.
• 🚪 There are locked doors and switches within the game that must be manipulated to progress, adding an extra layer of challenge.
• 📚 Luddite is accompanied by a biographic novel that changes features and details of future maps as the story progresses.
• 🔄 Replayability is enhanced by new maps and the evolving story, keeping the game fresh even after multiple plays.
• 👥 The game works well in solo, competitive, and cooperative play styles, offering a variety of experiences.
• 🌟 The game has a strong thematic element, with a sci-fi story reminiscent of Blade Runner, where technology and AI are pitted against humans feeling obsolete.
• ⚙️ Simple components like dice, dry erase, and contact paper make the game accessible and easy to set up with household items.

Q & A

What is the core concept of the game Luddite?

Luddite is a campaign-style game where players simulate hacking through a neural network, making executive decisions and navigating their own network to cause damage to the system before their time runs out.

How does the map selection work in Luddite?

At the beginning of every game, players select the same map to start with, which is part of the story. The biographic novel that accompanies the game will slowly change features and details about future maps, offering different options and opportunities.

What is the significance of the dice in Luddite?

The dice are used to determine the player's actions within their network. One of the three dice rolled must be placed into the player's clock, which dictates the time spent in the network and the potential damage inflicted.

How does the game Luddite incorporate a sense of urgency?

The game incorporates a sense of urgency through the use of a clock mechanism. Players must reach the exit before their clock runs out, or they won't be able to score any of their damage points.

What are the three types of resources available in Luddite?

The script does not specify the exact types of resources, but it mentions that there are three different kinds of resources that players can earn, which contribute to the tight gameplay.

How does the hack section in Luddite work?

The hack section is similar to a crossword puzzle, with overlapping columns and rows that have number requirements. Players spend their dice to mark off these requirements to gain raw damage or access to big damage within the network.

What is the relationship between the Luddite game and the accompanying biographic novel?

The biographic novel provides a narrative context for the game, with the story slowly changing features and details about the maps as players progress through the game. The novel and the game's maps are designed to be experienced in tandem.

How does the game Luddite handle replayability?

Luddite offers replayability through the introduction of new maps after players have become familiar with the initial ones. This keeps the game fresh and offers a campaign-like experience.

What are the different modes in which Luddite can be played?

Luddite can be played as a solo game, a competitive game, or a cooperative game, offering flexibility in gameplay styles.

What is the approximate playtime for a single map in Luddite?

The game is designed to be played in about half an hour, allowing for quick turns and multiple map plays in a single session.

What components are needed to play Luddite?

To play Luddite, you need three six-sided dice, a dry erase board, contact paper, and a marker to move through the map. Players can use anything they prefer for the needle to move through their map.

How does the scoring work in Luddite?

Players score points based on the damage they inflict on the network. If a player does not reach the exit in time, they do not score any damage points. Additionally, rolling higher numbers on the dice allows for more damage points but also consumes more time.