Having considered and discussed the problems encountered from the playtest, we decided to opt for the last game option with 2 teams and develop the rules in that area. That’s how our rule set looks at this point:
First of all we have intervined the topic with the gameplay more by setting up different goals for each team to win. Now ghosts must claim all the rooms by filling them with ectoplasm while hunters must kill all the ghosts.
I think, we’re on the right track to solve the main issue of this version – “a lot of nothing happened”. At least we’ve introduced a rule, that hunters prevail over ghosts and now even if there’s a draw between the number of ghosts and hunters – hunters take over and kick out ghost players from the game. Also we have changed the way different teams are allowed to move, what brings an element of strategy. Ghosts now can move freely, what will significantly rise the amount of clashes and action.
We are still struggling with figuring out, whether players should take turns to take positions. From one point that would solve the problem of chaos, when revealing positions. From the other side the game would be laking that part of randomness and open possibility for cheating, that is to change position while other players are in the prosess of revealing. But I guess, that is the question of playtests. They will show if this fear is true or not.
For now we have 3 options to test, suggested by Triny and Arthur:
Option 1: Everyone moves at the same time (w/ Arthur’s idea)
Round starts with everyone secretly choosing where they want to go
The ghosts reveal their desired location to the game master as the hunters mute/deafen their voice chat
The hunters reveal their desired location to the game master as the ghosts mute/deafen their voice chat
Everything is revealed at the same time
(EVENTS OCCUR)
Round finish and repeat
Option 2: Team by team movement
Hunters round starts with the hunters secretly choosing where they want to go (teams cannot discuss)
The hunters type out their location at the same time, and the mansion owner marks down the new location of the hunters
(EVENTS OCCUR)
Ghost’s round starts where the ghosts type out their location at the same time, and the mansion owner marks the new location of the ghosts
(EVENTS OCCUR)
Back to hunters round and repeat
Option 3: Individual Team Movement (how order is decided i’m not sure)
A hunter chooses where they want to go and types it out
They move to that location
(EVENTS OCCUR)
A ghost chooses where they want to go and types it out
They move to that location
(EVENTS OCCUR)
Repeat with every player
Apart from that I’m starting to develop the visuals, particularly our mansion map. That part is on me and I’m planning to make the visuals a bit old style spooky house.