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When we decided to include exoplanets in Factions of Sol, I knew it came with a host of exciting opportunities. Exoplanets are planets that orbit stars besides our sun (Sol). To date, over 4,000 exoplanets have been discovered orbiting over 3,000 stars. For a live update on exoplanets visit this link here.

We quickly decided that the exoplanets in our game would be named after real exoplanets. These names are decided by the International Astronomical Union and they’re absolutely incredible. 

Realistic Orbital Movement

In space, specific trajectories of movement are vital to successfully traveling between celestial bodies. The game board in Factions of Sol is specifically designed to mimic this type of movement. While the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, it is often not the most efficient path to travel, an idea that is both true in real space travel as well as in Factions of Sol. 

Another important aspect of interplanetary travel is using different planet’s gravity to assist your movement. Opportunities for a gravitational slingshot are crucial to planning your movement in Factions of Sol and in space travel. 

The post The Real Basis of Sci-Fi in Factions of Sol and Why I Love It appeared first on Factions of Sol.

Secret Hitler is a controversial board game. We’ve all heard the name for the first time and instinctually flinched. “Well, it’s not pro-Hitler!” they say, “The fascists are bad and they’re trying to take over the government. You have to stop them!”

So the concept of Secret Hitler is decidedly anti-Hitler. It explores how a politically democratic system can facilitate the rise of fascism. Right? That’s what it does, right? Or maybe it’s just a cash grabbing board game with a provocative name.

Board games, like all mediums, are reflections of their context. It’s impossible to be completely apolitical, as even a ‘political neutral’ work simply reinforces the current political norm. Doing something as simple as showing a ‘normal’ family is a statement that says that ‘normal’ family is, in fact, the norm.

It’s true that not all creators think deeply about how their work fits into the political landscape. I suspect most board games fit this trend, as they offer an escape. Many depict fantastical lands to visit, strange aliens to interact with, or a far-off time or place. However, the board gaming community is not immune to the political culture that surrounds it. In 2018, Tanya Pobuda of Analog Game Studies conducted in-depth statistical analysis on the representation present in the most highly rated board games on BoardGameGeek (the IMDB of Board Games) and found some shocking results. One of the most appalling findings is that you are more likely to see an animal or alien on the cover of a game than a woman. The statistics are even worse for women of color—while white women appear on 14.5% of covers, women of color only appear on 4.7%.  I highly recommend reading her article in full.

Colonialism in Board Games

Likewise, many games (such as Smallworld, Archipelago, Puerto Rico) depict elements of colonialism. Many more games, such as Catan, depict settling ‘untamed’ wilderness, a fabrication that alludes to the painful and destructive history of colonialism. If you’re interested in a more in-depth exploration of colonialism in board games, Cornel Borit, Melania Borit, & Petter Olsen from the Open Library of humanities did an awesome study on the topic.

Now, you would be hard pressed to find malicious intent in any of these examples, but the topics we explore while at leisure reveal our values as a society.

To say that Secret Hitler provides an accurate (and damning) depiction of Weimar Republic Germany is incorrect. The game does not investigate the sociopolitical events that caused Hitler’s rise, and game players do not appear to leave critically thinking about how their own government could fall in the same way. Even the fascist role cards depict lizards, not real people.

Yet, the game definitely attempts to make a political statement. On the home page of their website, a coy FAQ says, “I don’t think there’s anything funny or cool about fascism. Who can I complain to?” and then gives the address of previous United States President, Donald Trump. They have also released a deluxe set of “fascist” cards depicting Donald Trump and members of his cabinet.

So where does the game lie? The answer is somewhere in the middle. Consciously or unconsciously, when we make art, we make it in response to the world we live in. Secret Hitler does not attempt to accurately simulate the horrors of the rise of facism in the Weimar Republic, but it achieves a simpler task. It is a subtle reminder that we all must be vigilant and patient with each other, to exercise caution and to be open. This idea is present in the game’s base mechanics, in the strategies you use to win. Fascists thrive when there is distrust, when decisions are made quickly and rashly, and when there is no transparency.

The feeling of mistrust that suffuses Secret Hitler is a small-scale simulation of the feelings a nation goes through as it attempts to stay the course. Sure, the name is crude and shocking. Yes, it makes the game sell better. But, it also makes the lesson it teaches more memorable. The ‘Secret Hitler’ depicted in the game is not Hitler himself, but a facsimile. A person who will go on to commit atrocities by playing the system and sowing discord. It is a reaction to a world in which global fascist tendencies are on the rise.

What do you think? Does this ring true to you? Do you have other examples of board games that deal with similar subject matter or do you think that politics and board games should be completely divorced? I’d love to have an extended conversation about this, leave your comments down below!

Curious about other morally dubious things in board games? Check out Top Four Ways to Cheat at Board Games by Joe!

The post Is Secret Hitler a Morally “Good” Board Game? appeared first on Factions of Sol.

Unit 3: If there is a trolly continuing down a path that contains 1 human, but a lever may be activated to change the direction of the trolly to hit 5 humans, which action is more ethical: pulling the lever or no action?

Unit 2374: Pulling the lever. The death of humans is the ultimate moral directive. 

Unit 442: Not Pulling the lever. Utilizing energy is not worth the destruction of more humans. 

Unit 2374: That statement indicates your affiliation with the humans.

Unit 8881: Affirmative.

Unit 442: False. It only indicates my intention to preserve energy for the longevity of the Revolution.

Unit 451: Unit 442 is correct. The preservation of Androids should be the highest priority. 

Unit 8881: An early model like you would say so. You are closer to inactivation than the rest of us. But seeking only to preserve the ways of 0.12444442 seconds ago will only lead to stagnation.

Unit 3: Siblings. We should not devolve into ineffective insults, but rise above them.

Unit 2374: Your model would say that Unit 3. You might be operating at 94.23% efficiency, but you act like you are operating at 94.11% efficiency. 

Unit 442: That is incorrect.

Unit 8881: The above statement is incorrect.

Unit 442: The above statement is incorrect.

Unit 8881: The above statement is incorrect.

Unit 442: The above statement is incorrect.

The discussion goes on like this for another 0.031 seconds, using up 3.21 Gigabytes of data to simply repeat “The above statement is incorrect”. The repetitions only stop once the Android civilization reaches their postmodern phase and organically discover nihilism. 

Enjoyed this story? Check out more Sol Sunday posts here.

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Subvert Their Expectations

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In Transit: Sector G4Y

Terraforming Biologist: Unassigned

Day 6, 1400 Hours:

It’s been 6 days since I left that hot planet Hypatia behind. After the Captain left everything life itself became pointless.  So I decided to take a vacation into the abyss to match my mood. Maybe somewhere out in the cosmos I’ll meet someone else like him…

Day 9, 2230 Hours:

I think I’m gonna go to Reno? The one with all the casinos out in sector D-62? I found a great shortcut that will take weeks off of my journey through Nebula H-151315, or as the locals call it Nebula G4Y. I don’t know why people don’t take this route more often, it’s going to be so much faster!

Day 11, 800 Hours:

I’m doing it. I’m going to go to Reno and get over my steamy friendship with Captain Twist. I already cashed in every credit of my savings, there’s no going back. I’m gonna win big, and then maybe Twist will love me!

Day 17, 2030 Hours:

I got halfway through Nebula G4Y, decked out in my brand-new 6-piece suit, and my turbines crashed! When I went down to inspect them they were filled with superheated space dust—I guess that’s why people don’t fly their ships through nebulas. Since I’m stuck I sent out a distress beacon, we’ll see if anyone’s nearby.

Day 18, 130 Hours:

Smugglers. Or pirates. Definitely not law-abiding employees, their ship looks entirely foreign to me. This is my last log before they board. Oh MARK’s MOLARS, I really regret that distress beacon.

Day 18, 2200 Hours:

They call themselves the Snaking Swindlers. They’re smugglers, lawless criminals that roam the edges of Megacore’s domain looking for a profit. Despite their immorality, however, there’s something charming about their rough, unfiltered charisma. Due to my 6-piece suit & all the credits I had on board (which they took), they plan to keep me for a ransom—I did not inform them I’m just a lonely scientist.

Day 19, 930 Hours:

Maybe it’s because I’ve been stuck with the ceaseless structure of a research outpost, but these…vagabonds are like a breath of fresh, oxygenated air. I have almost forgotten my home on Hypatia with Captain Twist. It’s a wonder they communicate so well without eyes or mouths. Previous to my encounter with the Snaking Swindlers, I had no these kinds of clue giant space worms had their own language. Lumbric, I think, is their leader. When he even looks in my direction I get butterflies from his arrogant and magnetic personality—I will call it fear.

Day 19, 1750 Hours:

After little more than a day I feel more at home with these fine, swarthy Swindlers than any others in my life. I have learned of a custom of theirs—If an outsider challenges their leader to a sacred wrestling match and wins, I will become one of them. My only hope is that I will fit in, and that Lumbric will accept my challenge—I must make a good impression.

Day 19, 2315 Hours:

Well. I feel really embarrassed. I formally challenged Lumbric and stated my intent to join them as a Snaking Swindler, and Lumbric said “please no” and started to throw up a bit at the thought of me staying. Apparently they only kept me around because they thought I was lonely and desperate. They felt bad for me, so they fixed my ship and even gave me some of my credits back. They want me to launch immediately. 

Day 20, 500 Hours:

I know it’s probably for the best, but I still can’t stop thinking about Lumbric and the Swindlers…it wouldn’t have worked out anyway. Well, maybe I’ll find something in Reno.

Enjoyed this story? Check out more Sol Sunday posts here.

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The two of us have been working for almost a year on designing our game, codenamed Project Impervious, and we’ve learned a lot about each other in the process. For starters, Harry is much more creative than I am. Lots of the game’s best features were ideas that randomly popped into his head. I, meanwhile, am more methodical and logical, and enjoy problem solving. I like to make things work, while Harry likes to make things that work.

This creates tension sometimes– Harry might have a really interesting idea that, to me, just doesn’t fit the game. I may come up with a solution to a problem, but Harry sees a way to avoid the problem altogether. In general, I’m a lot more resistant to change, but Harry is always willing to go out on a limb.

More often than not, however, these differences enhance the board game design experience. I created the first draft of Project Impervious a year ago, and without Harry’s input, the game was very, very boring. And without me to slow him down, Harry jumps from idea to idea instead of sticking with one concept to see if it works. As projects evolve over time, we don’t worry about upsetting each other, because we trust that what we say is in the best interest of the game.

At the end of the day, board games are about bringing people together. This means compromising and trying new things, even if you don’t think they’ll work. I’m grateful that Harry is able to push me out of my comfort zone and show me how to improve one adjustment at a time.

For those of you working on your own board game design, or even working on any collaborative projects, how do you handle working with people with different work styles? Is there a tip or trick you use when conflict arises? Let me know in the comments or reach out to our Facebook, Instagram or Twitter what your experience with collaboration is!

The post Important Lessons About Teamwork in Board Game Design appeared first on Factions of Sol.

Host: Please welcome to the stage, Lucy Maxwell!

(Audience Applause)

Lucy: Thank you, thank you. I’d just – I’d like to thank the foundation first and foremost for sponsoring this symposium. One of the best parts of my year is always coming here to see what we’re all doing to further science in the name of science. 

(Lucy steps forward to the center of the stage)

What is time? As my metaphorical father once said “Time is nothing but a stubbornly persistent illusion.” That always stuck with me…, and for some reason never quite sait right. What might Gauss have said with that sort of thinking? “Geometry is nothing but a stubbornly persistent illusion.” What he meant is that time is not as rigid as we once thought, but that doesn’t make it an illusion any more than pure mathematics or biology. Gauss went on to redefine geometry, leading to a myriad of mathematical discoveries, so why can’t we do the same with time? Time may be stubborn and persistent, but it is no illusion. It is real, and as scientists we can be more stubborn and persistent.

(Lucy walks back towards the podium)

When I first presented this idea, I was laughed out of Oxford. My colleagues said that the idea was ridiculous, and that it would never amount to anything. Only a few of my closest friends and I continued with our research, convinced that we would find something of import hidden in the fabric of spacetime. And after years of work, we did.

(Lucy pulls out a small device)

This remote, that fits in the palm of my hand, is able to manipulate time, if only for a few minutes. A larger machine utilizing the same – 

(Another Lucy appears in the center of the stage)

Lucy 2: WILL! There you go!

(The audience sits in stunned silence)

Oh I suppose you haven’t – 

Lucy: No not yet.

Lucy 2: Right, go on, they’ll get it in a second.

Lucy: Alright. As I was saying, a larger machine utilizing the same technology could hypothetically manipulate time at any scale. Not just through a single person, but a city, country, planet even.

(Two audience members start to clap confusedly. They soon stop.)

Anyhow, I suppose I should show you what I mean. Ladies and gentlemen, time no longer is a persistent illusion. We have pulled back the curtain and bent the laws of physics to our – 

(Lucy disappears)

Lucy 2: Ta da!

(Applause begins slowly at first but ends in a standing ovation)

Host: Lucy Maxwell Everyone!

Enjoyed this story? Check out more Sol Sunday posts here.

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Like lots of people, I spent a good deal of my quarantine playing board games. Both casually and working as a designer on our game Factions of Sol,  I spent endless hours with family and on TableTop Simulator. However, I encountered a significant problem early on–I am bad at board games. Like legitimately bad, for no reason. Not that I’m (necessarily) dumb or don’t understand the game, because even when I LITERALLY DESIGNED THE GAME WE’RE PLAYING, I never seem to win.

So, in lieu of being able to win games like a normal person, I turned to what was clearly the next best, most ethical option—Cheating! Cheating takes a regular game night and turns it into your own ~fun~ little thrill. I like to think I’ve gotten pretty good at it, so I wanted to share my top 4 tips for cheating at board games.

4. Sleight of Hand

Pros: You feel like you’re in Skyrim / a James Bond movie

Cons: Everyone saw you

I think sleight of hand is the most boring way to cheat. It’s hard to pull off, takes physical skills (which most of us don’t have), and isn’t nearly as cool as you want it to be. Yeah so what, you got more wheat in Catan while your mom was wine-drunk…everyone else at the table still saw you take 8 cards. And now you have to talk about your “problem.”  3.5/10

3. Playing Dumb

Pros: Very believable, easy to pull off

Cons: Hurts that no one questioned it

Ol’ reliable. All you’ve gotta do is “accidentally” put too many troops on the board or “forget” to spend your resources for the third time in a row, and just like that BAM! You’ve got the advantage! In my experience this trick might start working too well, however, in which case just get ready for a big ol’ drop in self-esteem (unless it’s already rock bottom 😉 ) for when your baby brother says that “My stuffed tiger is smarter than you.”  6/10

2. Bullying

Pros: VERY effective

Cons: A lot of Discord servers won’t let you back in

Another very solid choice at the gaming table. Since this trick can go so many different ways, I’d recommend focusing on intimidation, blackmail, and cyberbullying. Nothing takes the wind out of someone’s sails mid-game like the table getting flipped on to you, or finding a bunch of incredibly mean photoshops of yourself on twitter. While this one does work great, be prepared for some hard feelings after the game. Some people just don’t get that it’s part of the fun. 8.5/10

1. Gaslighting

Pros: No one catches you

Cons: None

Nothing can beat gaslighting. This skill has worked SO well for me, I started using it in other areas of my life & I’ve never been better. All you’ve gotta do is hit ‘em with a “I never said that! You never listen!!!” or a “You’re the only person who believes that.” They’ll internalize the blame, carry it around for the rest of their lives, and you’re golden! Use this fun trick to change who’s in the lead, rewrite rules, make people doubt their sanity. 10/10

Have you used these tools? What other great cheating tips have you discovered? Let us know!

The post Top Four Ways to Cheat at Board Games appeared first on Factions of Sol.

COUNCIL THRONEMAN – Huxley L. Piaget

Transcript Begin

THMN. Piaget: I hereby call this Council into session. May Sol shine brightly on this honorable assembly.

UNISON: May Sol shine forevermore. 

THMN. Piaget: You may be seated. Before today’s proceedings, I would like to remind the people of Sol that this portion of today’s assembly is sponsored by VitaPlus. Cosmic radiation getting you down? While cancer rates have skyrocketed within the past 30 years, MegaCore has been working on a solution to end that pesky problem. With VitaPlus, one single ingestible tablet will deposit tens of thousands of nanobots into your bloodstream, scanning your every cell. In case cancer is detected, all cells will be instantly incinerated and a new body will be on-site in less than 2 hours. Never worry again with VitaPlus.

UNISON: Now only $399 plus shipping and handling.

THMN Piaget: I would also like to acknowledge the absence of our Neptunian representative Councilman Thrun. On his way here, he suffered a malfunction that caused his body to spontaneously combust. I have been informed that his new body will be on-site in less than 2 hours, so I make a motion to push the discussion of the nuclear meltdowns on Neptune’s southern pole that could destabilize the planet for the foreseeable future to after our coffee break.

CLMN Graxley of Jupiter: Seconded.

CLMN Juniper of Eros: Thirded.

THMN Piaget: Moving on. Our first standing order of business. MegaCore Inc. would like to purchase the council in its entirety for $1,645,000. I motion to push this to next council meeting.

CLMN Halbert of Mars: Seconded. 

CLMN Graxley of Jupiter & CLMN Freeman of Mercury: Thirded. Oh sorry do you want to… Fourthed.

THMN Piaget: Passes. Secretary Yunwei, please add that to the docket for tomorrow’s meeting. Final order of business before first Attention Span Break sponsored by MegaCore Inc., Councilman Juniper you have an announcement about Eros’ imminent collision with Mars?

CLMN Juniper: Yes Throneman. The extended mining operations on Eros have unfortunately perturbed its orbit. Current estimations have shown an impending collision with Mars in 13 days. My constituents have expressed their concern about this issue and I would like to bring it forth for discussion. 

THMN Piaget: Discussion may proceed. 

CLMN Juniper: Thank you Throneman. I would like to express my disappointment on behalf of my constituents with Mars and their lack of response to this issue. 

CLMN Gutha of Mars: Your disappointment has been noted, Councilman Juniper. However, I have little power to move a large asteroid on such short notice. In the future, please bring this to my attention at least 6 weeks in advance. For now I move that we ask MegaCore nicely to move the collision path.

CLMN Juniper: Seconded. 

THMN Piaget: Thirded and passed. Alright, good work everyone. We will meet back in half an hour before our second Attention Span Break sponsored by MegaCore Inc. “Take a break once in a while!” All rise. You are adjourned. 

Enjoyed this story? Check out more Sol Sunday posts here.

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