Welcome to the DarkStar Tactics Development Blog
Over the coming weeks and months I will be updating this blog with the ongoing development of the competitive 2 Player board game “DarkStar Tactics”
Why Develop a Board Game?
Good Question! Let me tell a story if i may.
It all started with a trip to the shops.
Just before my Sons 7th Birthday we decided to go to our “local shopping centre” on the outskirts of Bristol, UK. whilst looking around the various shops there he noticed a small boutique tucked away in a dark corner, it turned out a well known miniature wargaming store had caught his eye, one that i myself had been a regular visitor to when I was in my early teens.
His eyes lit up, there were fantasy soldiers, sci -fi warriors, and monsters and aliens of all shapes and sizes, all brightly coloured. The shop was also offering a “free painting session” as an introductory experience.
He wouldn’t stop talking about it ever since. And i relished the chance to relive my youth through his eyes and rediscover the magic. So after picking up one of the “starter” kits we went home, and over the next few days assembled and painted some minis ready for our first battle.
I was ready with my Rat men, he was loving his super powered golden Knight guys, and we opened the rulebook, keen to get going.
And that’s when the reality set in. The rules are…Complicated. Im sure given enough time and concentration we would have figured it out, but if there are two things a 6 year old doesn’t comprehend, its time and concentration. We muddled through as best we could, and he enjoyed himself in spite of my fumbling to explain rules I had tried to speed read.
But we didn’t play again.
A “Quest” of “Heroic” proportions
Fast forward a few months, I had been trying to think of games i played when i was young that might fit the bill, something fantasy/Sci-fi, with cool looking minis that he would enjoy. 2 Games came to mind, “Hero Quest” and “Space Crusade” both from the early 90s. So off i went looking for copies, and watching a youtube lets play or two. Firstly Space Crusade.
Wow, i did not play that game correctly. After watching a playthrough fail after the first room i decided that wasnt the best approach either, still too complicated, and way too hard for a 6 year old. How about Hero Quest?
Perfect. We gathered round the table, I could play as the “Dungeon Master”, my Son could play as all the Hero’s, we even got an Aunt and Uncle to play, even my wife when my 3 year old daughter would allow it. So far we’ve had 5 games, some from the official quest book, some made up, and my son has enjoyed every game. The best part, i control the enemies, the narrative, and i can choose who to attack (or not) so My son has survived some close encounters. Challenging? yes, disparaging? never.
The only downside, it needs 5 players, and 3 hours.
Parents and Adults are busy, life gets in the way, diaries rarely sync up. so getting together for a game doesn’t happen nearly as often as he would like.
The Problem Statement
So existing 2 player miniature games are too complicated, and questing games need too many players.
The Solution?
Make my own game!
A Game that only requires 2 Players
A Game that has a simple, yet fun set of rules a 6-7 year old can follow
A Game that has cool Minis to play with
A Game that wont last forever, but isnt over in 10 minutes.
Thats the challenge i have set myself. Lets see what i’ve come up with.