Decision Space Innovation and Games without Guard Rails (Look Mom, No Hands!)
May 28, 2025
Dive into the fascinating world of games without guard rails, where unpredictability reigns! The hosts discuss how these games, like Tigris and Euphrates, balance chaos and strategy while highlighting the intricacies of engine-building mechanics in Innovation. Personal stories breathe life into this analysis, showcasing the unique experiences these games create. Explore the tension between skills, luck, and player agency that makes each session a fresh adventure!
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Games Without Guardrails Defined
- Games without guardrails allow players to create wildly different and explosive game states.
- These games reward deep knowledge and skill, often producing big swings and uneven play experiences.
Modern Art Versus Root Experience
- Pete plays Modern Art with his economics students and notes how they overpay, as the game lacks guardrails to prevent mistakes.
- This contrasts with Root, which has strict guardrails enforcing bidding limits and creative play within constraints.
Innovation's Guardrail Mechanics
- Innovation balances explosive potential with guardrails through achievement and age progression systems.
- This design allows engine explosions but keeps the game honest by requiring progress checks.