Talk:Amoeba

Cool game, but I might have found a math error:

Before: After:

     X3  Y1  Y1                       X3  Y1  Y1
   o   X1  Y2  o                    o   X1  Y2  o
     X2  o                        o   X2  X3

X places a 3-pip pyramid in the open spot on the bottom row and scores 3 x (3+1+2) = 18, then places a new chip on the left end of the bottom row.

Shouldn't that be "3 x (2+1+2) = 15"? I only see the X2, X1, and Y2 mids as "linearly connected"--by the way, I'd use the phrase "adjacent to," as it's more common here. --David Artman 18:37, 8 January 2009 (UTC)

The math is correct.[edit source]

The rules of the game are to add up the pips of all pyramids of the same color that are linearly connected to the newly placed pyramid. In the original text, X represents one color and Y represents a different color. - Oosterwal 18:49, 8 January 2009 (UTC)

~ So in the above example, X3, being the new 3 pip pyramid of color X, would count both X2 and the row of X1 and X3 together, making 3 x (2+1+3) = 18. Jason 19:02, 8 January 2009 (UTC)

2009 Game Award evaluation

I like this very much. It is a very enjoyable abstract strategy game which doesn't overwhelm the players with choices. Its concept is easy to understand, the game starts small and gradually builds, and it allows interesting choices (e.g. building vs. blocking, where to use the different size pieces). And, the game is quite attractive to look at. (I bought a second box of poker chips so that they could all be white.)

It has a different feel for 2 players vs. multi-player, as all games like this would. Multiple players add diplomacy and king-making concerns. (This is just an obversation, not a criticism.)

This reminds me a lot of Reiner Knizia's Ingenuity. Was it inspired by that? Even if true, it's a fine game in its own right.

My assessment for the award: this makes the cut.

- BStout

To: BStout;

Amoeba was influenced by Knizia's Ingenious. I have not playtested this with more than 2 players, so I don't know what some of the non-obvious ramifications of three or more players would be. It is possible that with three or more players that more empty spaces be made available.