The IceSheet Initiative

Introduction

What is an IceSheet?

IceSheets are the name given to rule sheets for Looney Pyramid games that are in a new, consistent standard layout and format. Here's an example of what the IceSheet for IceDice looks like: http://www.looneylabs.com/sites/default/files/rules/IceDice.pdf

What is The IceSheet Initiative

There are hundreds of games that have been created for the Looney Pyramid game system and an initiative has been created to help get games converted to the new rule format—The IceSheet. There will be a process that a game will have to go through to be throughly tested before being turned into an IceSheet. For now, our focus is on finding/gathering/collecting the solid games that have been Looney Pyramid classics and getting them converted to IceSheets before we focus on any new games.

The Process

With exception to some of the obvious, well-played classics, each game will have to go through a three step process getting approval of Starship Captains along the way.

Stage One: Thorough Playtesting

Before even submitting a game to be playtested by Starship Captains, make sure that you have done ample local playtesting and can find no flaws in your game. Once a game enters Stage 1, it cannot enter Stage 2 until it has passed the approval of at least 10 Starship Captains that the gameplay is solid.

Stage Two: Clear, Simple Rules

Once a game has been approved as a playable game, then it moves into the stage where the rules need to become as clear and simple as possible. Reword, rewrite, simplify as best you can so that the future players will never have to question the rules. Make sure the text is clear of typos and grammatical errors. Once a game enters Stage 2, it cannot enter Stage 3 until it has passed the approval of at least 10 Starship Captains that the rules are as simple and clear as possible.

Stage Three: IceSheet Formatting

Now that the gameplay is solid and the rules are clear and simple, a game is ready to be made into an IceSheet. During this stage, a Starship Captain skilled in the art of Adobe Illustrator, will take the approved rules and begin formatting them into an IceSheet. Graphics that visually assist players understand how to play the game are usually encouraged. Many times a new font or logo is used for the name/title of the game. Multiple Starship Captains may work on any given IceSheet together. Maybe one could focus on the layout while another, who enjoys creating graphics, could create a visual of how to play the game and supply that graphic to the person working on the layout to just plop into place. Just an idea for a possible joint effort on an IceSheet for a single game. Like each stage, games cannot leave Stage 3 until it has been passed the approval of at least 10 Starship Captains that the layout/graphics look good and the document is without typos. Once Stage 3 has been approved, the IceSheet is ready to go on the "More Games" section of the Looney Labs website and possibly make it into a future Pyramid Primer.

Stage One: Thorough Playtesting

Note: We are currently not accepting new games until we get caught up on converting existing games that are already solid and ready to become IceSheets. However, some playtesting may be involved in Stage Two when testing the simplicity of the rules on some of the already existing games.

Stage Two: Clear, Simple Rules

Name of Game	Simplifying Rules	SC Approval Votes	Link to Rules	Link to Forum Discussion
Thin Ice	Name of SC(s)	0	Unpublished	Unpublished
Zagami	Name of SC(s)	0	Unpublished	Unpublished
Tic Tac Doh!	Name of SC(s)	0	Unpublished	Unpublished
Martian Backgammon	Name of SC(s)	0	Unpublished	Unpublished

Stage Three: IceSheet Formatting

Name of Game	Working on IceSheet	SC Approval Votes	Link to IceSheet	Link to Forum Discussion
RAMbots	Andy Looney	0	Unpublished	Unpublished
Pikemen	Scott Myers	2	Media:Pikemen.pdf	http://looneylabs.ning.com/group/starshipcaptains/forum/topics/icesheet-voting-pikemen