h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: How to make a [insert competitors] race game for up to six players - A87773368
Author: Vestboy back in the UK - U45662

Have fun with 5 out of six people being happy with every throw!

Hi Vestboy - the title seems a bit confusing. Maybe you could lose the "[insert competitors]"?

I agree, the title is very confusing, but the Entry explains things every well.

I was struggling a bit, but maybe just removing the bracketed bit would make it all the better. No problem.

>The fancier/trophy like the better.

A little oblique. How about

The fancier, or more trophy-like, the better.

Agreed, change made, thanks.

Good entry,
I was wondering about a snappier title - but can't think of one. Does it have a name? 'The speedy Race Game which keeps everyone happy' or is that too cheesy

I also wondered 'why would I want to choose this race game', you mentioned that it's speedier. What's its advantage over other games? What sort of people is it suitable for? Children? What ages? Is there a drinking version?

OK, let me ramble for a bit and then we can pick out what we want to put in the entry... I have played this game with adults with intellectual disabilities. As I was in Australia we made up race horses from photos from newspapers and magazines and played it on the day of the Melbourne Cup. It could be on Grand National Day or whatever in the UK, Kentucky Derby day in the US etc. You can adapt it for any occasion if you want to.

When you play other games you have to wait your turn to throw the die and some people get bored waiting. The 5 times out of 6 is good for everyone keeps everyone interested in every throw. This makes it a good game at family get-togethers like Christmas when even people who don't understand complicated games (or don't like them) can play with the rest of the family without having to do to much or learn too many rules.

Artistic people can go to town on making the race course and decorate it to their heart's content. They could even go down the line of the model rail enthusiasts or Scalextric buffs who have little people, trees and machinery dotted about.

The concept of the game is that it is quite quick, fun and you play it over and over again in the course of an evening or afternoon. Adults can even ask children to move their piece while they see to the meal/mow the lawn/read a book and the children will get on with it. There is no decision making other than what piece you want to be and what number lane you want to race in.

Should I include some of the above?

My acid-test for a game entry is, do I understand the game having read the instructions only once. This passed the test easily, so well done Vestboy.

<>
This would be a good addition imo.

There are a couple of things that need fine-adjustment: full-stops at the end of each footnote, capitalise 'But' at the start of footnote 8.

In the second sentence of the 'Winning' section: money person --> Money Handler.

Thanks for the support. I have made the changes and inserted a Theme section at the beginning.

I would favour including most of what you put in Post 8.

I agree - it gives more background and also describes how to make the race in more detail.

<BB<

Done

Hiya Vestboy,

Any chance we can not have 'game' three times in the opening sentence? I think the middle one is the easiest to reword.

In the second paragraph of the 'Winning' section (talking about if someone goes bust), could you break that up a bit for us? It's a bit hard on the brain as it is.

Something I'm not clear on is how you get your money back as you are going through. If it costs you one 'money' to play, then surely after five goes nobody can afford to play all the way to the end of the track?

Hang on, I've had a re-read. What you mean is that it costs you one money to play each *round*, not each turn.

In that case, how do you determine the overall winner? Do you decide on a number of rounds, a time, or do you keep on playing until only one person is left (that could take weeks, I think!).

Otherwise, this sounds like a good Christmas party (or any other similar gathering).

Hi Vip, thanks for the feedback.
I think I have altered the text to meet your suggestions.
I covered your question about having an overall winner by saying that people could drop out when they lose all their money and commented on the fact that some people would end up bored if you have the loser drops out approach. As with most race games people will ask for new rounds while they are enjoying it. If they get fed up they will ask to pull out of the game. If others are waiting to play then the game continues with a new player. If everyone agrees that they have had enough then the game is over.

Sorry it took me a week to get back! Thank you for adding that bit about the game end.

Content-wise, I think this is pretty much sorted. I have a few little tweaks but these are just minor little things.

The Title Is Capitalised Like This

You can get rid of the subheader 'BACKGROUND' and it will work just as well without.

"... a six sided die; Some plain paper..."
lower case 's' for 'some'.

I will attend to those things "toot sweet"

How's this coming along, Vestboy? All finished?

Your Guide Entry has just been picked from Peer Review by one of our Scouts, and is now heading off into the Editorial Process, which ends with publication in the Edited Guide. We've moved this Review Conversation out of Peer Review and to the entry itself.

If you'd like to know what happens now, check out the page on 'What Happens after your Entry has been Recommended?' at EditedGuide-Process. We hope this explains everything.

Thanks for contributing to the Edited Guide!