First of all I continued experiments with paper types. I didn’t manage to find the right type of paper yet, but for now found something to substitute. I was looking for a thin but colourful chinese paper that, I think, could be the best option. I still opt for a 6×6 cm square, because I tried the 8×8 square of a substitute paper one, which still I find too big. I was not satisfied with 80 gpsm density, so this one was 60. But it’s still not something I’m looking for. But still I managed to reduce folding time to 25 seconds. What gave me approximate minimum time for the app for 30 seconds.
I made the app as well, which is for now basically a timer with a coloured background, that will show colour of available positions for some time. For now I’ve set random time in the range from 40 seconds (I decided to increase minimum time) to 2 minutes. So that players will have time not only to fold, but to decide and place a bird. I already know a pause button is needed here just in case something happens or players need a break. I even managed to export it to Android, which is my first time ever to make a mobile app.
Next what I did is the physical game prototype.
Positions are white for now, but I’ll colour them later. I’m doing everything randomly and will alter it later after the playtest. I placed the branches quite randomly, but as long as I was finishing, I came to the conclusion, that roots of the branches should be placed in clear layers in order to identify them. But end of branches can be placed on different levels. That will bring some order and help to work out more clear rules.
While I was making it, I thought about a rule, controlling how a player can take upper positions and move up. I thought about special branches that go down from an upper level. There can be one or several from one layer to another. And to take a position on that branch, player must take a position next to it of the same colour as the special branch. As an alternative, these branches can be marked in a special way, but in this case, I’m not sure what the rule can be yet.
Also because I was making it with wire (I case I need to alter or rearrange branches easily), I had an idea that there can be a possibility for players to alter positions themselves. Special branches can be fixed, while others can be rearranged and the game can be replayed with more interest.
As for colours, I think, I’ll distribute them randomly for now and see if that works. I’m thinking the same about app. Now it’s totally random colour pops up, but it might be relevant to make them appear in a particular order in a loop, so that players know, which one will be next and will decide, what strategy to choose.
At this stage I’m almost ready for the first playtest. I’ll try a bit another approach this time and work out the rules as long as the playtest goes. I only have some basic thoughts on rules and controls, additional ones I hope to work out in the process.