THE GAMES
My games usually involving standard game equipment, such as chess and checker sets, dice or cards.
A list of games of games created by Rich, including the World's Worst Boardgame (W.W.B):
http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/8933/richard-hutnik
Information on W.W.B, can see it here:
http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/99918/w-w-b
Rich has also created a number of chess variants, which can be found here:
http://www.chessvariants.org
Published games:
Multiple games were published in issue of Games Magazine during 2012-2013.
Another game, Groups, published in the book “Connection Games” by Cameron Browne.
Implementations of a number of Rich's games on the computer can be found at:
Simultaneous Captian's Mistress on WTanaka website
A number of other games implemented by Rich Hutnik in Zillions
General quotes about Rich's designs:
Néstor Romeral Andrés, founder or nestorgames (nestorgames.com) : "I find the Games on Half a Checkerboard Series interesting, in regards to the diversity of games that attempt to push the limits of that space."
Aaron Caswell (CapturePlay cofounder and lead architect): "Frequently finding ways to bring people together through compelling double-edged game play, game designer, community builder and game changer Rich Hutnik has a gift for pushing boundaries in both unconfined and tightly constrained gaming dimensions. For the unconstrained, check his ingenious massive multiplayer Vox Populii format, in which Rich deftly takes Chess (or any other game for that matter) turns it into an MMO, game show, and casino game all in one blow. The end result is uncontrived and has pure mainstream up side. For edgy tight constraints, check out the half-checkerboard series. With very little he creates a series of rich, potential classics. J: The Misere Connection Game and Kings Crossing are particular favorites. Rich has a true knack for the game fricassee, spicing ordinary games with bold flavor: I've personally played Simultaneous Captains Mistress with the author himself at the Bronx Botanical Gardens. What an awesome game.
Quotes and appearances of the games:
2-5 Skidoo:
* Appeared in October 2012 issue of Games Magazine.
Afro-Celt Mancala System:
* 7/10 rating on Boardgame Geek:
* Comment: “This is my first exposure to mancala-style games and I gotta say I really liked it."
Corner Chess (2 or 4 player Chess variant on an 8x8 board using standard chess pieces):
* Review by Joe Joyce (on Chessvariants.org website): “That was a nice little game - little in that the number of pieces is quite low. We used the queen, chancellor, and archbishop, with the 'racing kings' optional rule." "It's a nice game, fast-paced, with some twists and turns. I enjoyed it. Initial placement is important, and varies according to the particular rules used. This is what for wargames was called a 'beer and pretzels' game."
* Served as basic format for 4 player versions of Nightmare Chess by Steffan O'Sullivan: www.sjgames.com/knightmare/multiplayer.html
Dipole Chess:
* 6/10 rating on Boardgame Geek.
* Comments on Chessvariants.org website: “It was an interesting game to try out.”, “An interesting idea...", "This variant I find very interesting"
Double Draughts:
* 6/10 rating on Boardgame Geek.
* Comment: “Want to play”
F.I.L.O:
* Comments: “Nice idea!”, “Although F.I.L.O might not be very deep, it provides a good introduction into both, stacking and mancala (as a move mechanism)"
Groups:
* Appeared in book by Cameron Browne, “Connection Games”.
Halmette:
* Appeared in May 2013 issue of Games Magazine.
Henry VII Chess:
* Comments on Chessvariant.org website: “I love this idea and tried it out and had fun. Thanks for coming up with the idea" (Rating: Excellent), "I liked it" (Rating: Good).
J: The Misere Connection Game:
* Appeared in August 2012 issue of Games Magazine as featured game.
* Review: Thalla Rothach (LastGentlemanScholar) 9/10: So far, this is the only connection game I feel is worth it. This is because movement of pieces is allowed after they are placed, a characteristic I haven't noticed with other games of this type. The ability to move diminishes the Player One bias considerably and requires a greater use of strategic planning as a result.
Massive Multiplayer Rock, Paper, Scissors:
* 8/10 rating on Boardgame Geek by WakandaMan (on Boardgame Geek).
* Comment: “Want to play”
Meta Chess:
* Comments on ChessVariant.org: “Meta Chess looks interesting, with Good creativity...", "Meta Chess is also interesting as one of the first half dozen Chess-Different-Armies forms we can think of." (Rating: Good).
Near Chess:
* 7/10 rating on Boardgame Geek
* Rating: Good by George Duke on Chessvariant.org website.
Oneonta Whist (This is a solitaire trick-taking game also for 2 or more players, with a cooperative mode):
* Review: Best Solitaire Game with Standard Deck of Cards.
Richard ... if you read these posts, then I just wanted you to know I'm a big fan of Oneonta Whist. I found the rules online about 6 years ago, and have been playing a variation of it ever since. I am an avid boardgame fan, but I travel a lot. I have found your solitaire Whist game presents a fairly engaging challenge while sitting in airports on layover! :-).
* Inspiration for Gongar Whist in Decktet system:
http://decktet.wikidot.com/game:gongor-whist
* Appeared in August 2013 issue of Games Magzine.
Simultaneous Captain's Mistress:
* 7/10 on Boardgame Geek.
* Comment: “Interesting”
* "Simultaneous Captain's Mistress takes a somewhat tired childrens classic and breathes new life into it as a vibrant, modern abstract strategy game."
- Avri Klemer, designer of "Penguin Soccer",http://www.nestorgames.com/penguinsoccer_detail.html
* Review: Solid fun with simultaneous selection:
Played 7 games of this at the NYC Board Game Meetup, with the rules explanation from the designer himself.
Solid design, like how it works - easy to learn, but sufficiently challenging. (Maybe it's just me, I lost the last 5 games in a row to my friend Leo.)
Some salient points:
- Really like how initiative flips whenever it is invoked. When selecting simultaneously, one player has the advantage in case of a tie, but this privilege switches after one use, so it's a balanced part of the strategy.
- Like how there is a bit of a meta-game that develops after a few plays.
- Enjoy that it's very quick, but still tactically engaging.
Tic Tac Row:
* 6/10 rating on Boardgame Geek
W.W.B (World's Worst Boardgame):
Reviews:
- “The strategic depth of LCR meets the length of Campaign for North Africa. A spectacular achievement in game design aimed squarely at only the most dedicated completionists. An uncompromising artistic vision realized.”
- Rob Daviau (Game Designer): This game makes my skin crawl and my mind retreat on itself into a little ball of denial. Whenever I get stuck on a game design, I will think of this and relax, thinking "no matter what I do, it won't be W.W.B.". On my death bed, I will think, "Maybe I should've tried it. Just once. Just to see." And then I will realize, "No. No I shouldn't have." I would unlearn this game if possible but I can't. I'd try to make it worse if I could, just to join the fun, but it is as bad as it can be. I...just no.
