Game Name

Newsflash: Nick and I are kind of big geeks. We love boardgames with an intensity that most people save for things like marriage or children.

This past week we invented a new game. It started the other night after playing Sleeping Queens which is a game invented several years ago by my cousin's daughter, Miranda, when she was 8 years old. (Or maybe 6... I can't remember.) Anyhow, Nia, who is 8 years old now, was there with us and I said, "Nia, I'll bet you could invent a game." She thought that was a great idea.

Later that night she came to us and told us she had a name and a premise for a game-- "Adventure Dolls." The premise was that there were paper doll characters that had to collect clothes and gear to go on an adventure. Initially Nick and I were working with her to help her develop her idea. Eventually, however, Nick and I got so distracted by developing routes and strategies that we sort of cut her out of the process (you know, like any good parent does.)

The next several days all we talked about was the game. Nick took his day off working out the math and the details. The basic premise is similar to what Nia had suggested, just a bit more complicated. You are assigned one of 6 adventures (arctic adventure, desert adventure, volcano adventure, ocean adventure, jungle adventure, or cave adventure) and then you have to collect the necessary equipment to complete your adventure. But everyone is also trying to collect their equipment. So you have to collect somewhat quickly so that your needed items are not stolen by other players. There's timing, luck, strategy, and risk involved.

Nick drew it up (by hand so far) and printed up the necessary cards. We tested it twice tonight with Travis and tweaked it a bit. I thought it was great fun for a first go of it.

Nick (who lost twice-- once to Travis and once to me) is re-drawing it again tonight because he's a tad obsessed.

I see us playing this game a lot of times over the next several days and weeks as we continue working out the kinks. It can take anywhere from 2-6 players and so we need lots of testers. If you're in the Jacmel area, let us know if you want to test it with us.

Also, we don't have a name yet. Nick want to name it "Adventuresome." I am not sold on the name. It definitely cannot be called "Adventure Dolls." (And incidentally-- we feel like big losers for not making "Adventure Dolls" so Nick has thought up a junior version of the game to appease our consciences.) But that doesn't solve our naming problem.

So-- here's where I need you guys. What should we name this game?

We are officially open for suggestions.

I have no prize for you. But when we're all rich and famous millionaires, we'll give you public credit for naming the game in the game rules. Deal?