Play testing: The first play

Our team and I meet during the evening in the media lab to have our first play test of the game. Originally we began playing with six players, then dropped down to four after playing the board game for roughly thirty minutes.
I thought it would be a good idea to use the spaceship size that none of the other members were using, so that we had a good idea of how ALL of the spaceships worked, rather than just a few. Therefore, we managed to test out the large, medium and small spaceship counters.

I feel that the play test was incredibly useful as it has allowed us to notice certain flaws within the game.
For example, we discovered that the game wasn't quick-paced, like we hoped. So to fix this problem, we have increased the amount of squares a player can move (depending on the size of their spaceship.)  To add a level of rivalry and entertainment into the game, we have decided to increase the ranges of certain weapons to allow players to use a wider range of weapon cards during the board game.

Nathan decided to change the values in the range, power and capacity weaponry features to help make the board game much more quick-paced, which will be incredibly handy in shortening the average time to complete the board. The notes are as follows:


Ranged Weapon 1:
> Range: 8
> Power: 1
> Capacity: 1
> Maximum permitted: 4

Ranged Weapon 2:
> Range: 6
> Power: 2
> Capacity: 2
> Maximum permitted: 3

Ranged Weapon 3:
> Range: 4
> Power: 3
> Capacity: 3
> Maximum permitted: 2

Mine Weapon:
> Range: +1/-1
> Power: 3*
> Capacity: 2*
> Maximum permitted: 2
> Placement: The player has to place the mine down 2 squares behind them.

*Note: Although the Ranged Weapon 3's power is exactly the same as the Mine Weapon's, the Mine Weapon has a lower capacity, this should balance out the lack or range.

Grapple Hook Item:
> Range: 10
> Capacity: 2
> Maximum permitted: 2
> Special Effect; Latches on to an enemy ship and pulls them back 3 spaces.

Shield Item:
> Capacity: 1
> Maximum permitted: 3
> Special Effect; Protects the users ship from up to 2 damage.

And a possible new weapon?
EMP Weapon:
> Range: 5
> Capacity: 2
> Maximum permitted: 1
> Special Effect; The player the weapon hits misses their next turn.

How many cards needed in PER deck:

Ranged Weapon 1 x 4 Cards
Ranged Weapon 2 x 3 Cards
Ranged Weapon 3 x 2 Cards
Mine Weapon x 2 Cards
Grapple Hook Item x 2 Cards
Shield Item x 3 Cards
EMP Weapon x 1 Cards

= a total of 17 cards.

pictures photographed by Christina