Tug Within
2024-Individual Project
Project Summary:
This board game is for those facing challenges in close relationships, or simply experiencing loneliness. It drove inspiration from traditional Mahjong.
While it supports two players, it can also be fully enjoyed alone. The objective is for 2 sides to collect all five types of activities in a limited slots, completing a day’s schedule.
The golden key is balancing the gains between both sides, planning actions carefully with the disturbance of the randomization, in order to create a win-win situation.
Key words:
Close Relationships, Single Player Mahjong Game,
Rouge-Like Board Game
“Sometimes I contemplate about our relationships...
Me and you. Me and myself.
We live together, involved each other’s life.
But maybe we don’t understand each other.
Never feel the same.”
Target Age: All Ages
Suggested player count: 1-2
Suggested playtime: 30-60 mins
Tug Within
Playthrough Showcase & Introduction Video:
I introduced my game to friends, family, and roommates. They enjoy playing it on their own, and sometimes I join them too. During the game, we often discuss how to handle close relationships by drawing parallels to real-life situations that come up in gameplay. For example, if two of us are both hungry, we might debate who should cook or what to eat. Or if one side has too much work, I’ll say, “You should relax more! Work isn’t everything.” These interactions allow us to reflect on our routines and talk about everyday challenges in a lighthearted way.
I hope through this game, player not only gain fun but also get a chance to rethink their relationships and share their thoughts.
Watch Video:
1. Everything Start from this:
I bought a Mahjong (a traditional Chinese board game). This game requires 4 people. Luckily, I got 3 friends. I hope to enjoy a wonderful Lunar New Year with them.
3. ...But they got their lives:
2. I sat alone:
This happened often in my childhood.
I had no one to play with but myself, so the only thing I can do is to create my own rules.
I decided to write them down.
4. The first question I ask myself is:
Am I doing a competitive game or a peaceful one?
And the answer is: I want it to be harmonious.
I shouldn’t let people fight, but let them think.
Or
Tug Within
Theme
We may live together with others at some point—whether it’s with family, roommates, partners, or children. With that we face the challenges of unequal time management and conflicting desires. When focusing on ourselves, we often have to consider the needs and feelings of others. Even just living alone, we will face internal conflicts. I want to discuss those situations in this game.
Tug Within
Card Content Design - With Group Forming & Clashing Rules:
Final Game Loop:
In the loop, players need to assess situation of each turn based on core rules to act the most advantageous actions for the entire game.
Set Up:
Sit facing the game board. If there are two players, sit opposite each other.
Game Objective:
Collect all 5 types of action cards for each side’s inventory (except Re-Planning Cards), with a limit of 12—representing 12 hours, or half a day. You are free to control both sides yourself.
Shuffle all the cards face down.
Place the card pile in the Draw Area.
On your turn:
Draw 6 cards for each side from the pile. Arrange them in the play area and reveal them all.
1. Roll Dice once. Each sides tug out the card that stay at the same number as the Dice shown. Exchange them.(See Figure.A)
2. Roll dice again. Choose the identical amount of cards from each side, tug them out to the Tug Area.(See Figure.B)
3. Form Tugging Groups according to Forming Rules.
4. Clash the Tugging Groups according to the Clashing Rules. Add all winning groups to your inventory as trophies. Fold the remaining groups.
Figure.A Example of the 1st rolling
Figure.B Example of the 2st rolling
Tug Within
Final Art Design:
Entertainment cards
Work cards
Emotional cards
Meal cards
Nap cards
Early Iliterations
