Soil Game Project Musings

So for my new CFC 3 Class we have to create a game. We were given one word from Nature, since the class is nature-based. The word that I randomly selected was soil.

Therefore, I have to make a game about soil.

Therefore it will most likely be made out of soil.

What better material to make a game about soil out of other than soil?

There is none.

Soil it is.

So here's my thinking on creating a game about soil.

Soil is a game

First and foremost, this game has to be about the systems and processes that involve soil.
After a fair amount of research, I deduced that there are four main concepts and/or systems and/or processes that occur in soil that were the most striking to me.
1. Soil as a nutrient provider
2. Soil as an earth-shaper
3. Soil as a home
4. Soil is always changing- in a state of constant change


So how to create a game that is always changing?
-But even more than the roll of the dice and who you are playing with
-Probability vs. forced change

Soil is easily visible and easily obtainable as well. It can be acquired from a nursery or gardening store, but is found in abundance outside. The ground is made of soil.

Soil can be used to form the actual board (or playing surface, if you will) - even outside
Weather and the elements shape and change the playing surface- it's natural and can get broken down rather quickly
If outside, would face natural decomposition and weathering. If inside, how to make this change occur?

IDEA: Checkers board made out of soil
The main inspiration behind this idea is that the playing pieces in checkers are all the same rank- they are all of equal importance. Each of the checkers could have a seed encased in it- when it gets broken down, seeds will grow into plants, depending on the season.

Or better yet, the playing pieces could be actual plants- small African violets. The African violets would be easy to obtain and start growing-English Gardens constantly has African violets that need some attention and love. They also sell this product called Root Tone (I want to call it Rootner, but I haven't the slightest idea why) which is a growth hormone that encourages a plant to start growing roots out of a new cutting- can be from a bottom leaf. Thus, from one plant can come many. Which is quite resourceful, especially for an undertaking such as this where 24 plants need to be obtained. A couple of African Violets should suffice.

Added Rule to Playing: The winning piece, wherever it ends up, has to be planted there permanently. Over time, the game will naturally come to an end once there is a single piece left or one player has completely run out of pieces

Players would have to adapt during each successive game beyond the initial one to the new board. Thus, a new strategy has to be formed. New tactics would have to be employed in order to bring about victory.

With a planting, both players now have separate advantages and disadvantages. The player whose piece is permanently gone has one less piece to control. Both players have to adapt to the changing board- there will now be a permanent "dead spot" or "no play block". Additionally, if the piece has to be planted in one of the home rows, the opposing player has to deduce how best to reach the other side with his/her pieces in order to King your pieces.

Essentially, the same rules as a normal game of checkers are in place, except with the rule in regards to the planting at end of game.

Additional Considerations:
Size?
Distinctions between sides?
Designation as King?
Transportation?


*How Game will Reflect Four Key Concepts*
1. Soil as a nutrient provider
---The soil will be a nutrient provider for the plants that are being placed permanently
2. Soil as an earth-shaper
---Soil is easily moved, as will be during game by players. The relocation of the plants and of what happens to topsoil of the board when they are moved is the effect of the movement that takes place on a regular basis. Soil will be physically shaped into a board. Soil will be manipulated solely for the purpose of this game.
3. Soil as a home
---Home for bacteria, plants, insects, permanent home for plants
4. Soil is always changing- in a state of constant change
---Winning piece rule allows for a controllable state of change that can be easily observed during play.


In terms of size, I have to figure that out this weekend. I am thinking about an 9inx9in board, or if I decide to create a larger board, an 18inx18in board would be a good size as well.

:D

Class is just about over.

I'm out!