I have a friend (@AncetoDX, the other half of Brain Good Games), who is into the idea of making a Spy Game. However, Spy fiction is inherrently complex and subtle to a certain extent, and relies on more social mechanics like deception and inferrence than more traditionally gameified mechanics like positioning and resource management. Trying to design an elegant Spy Game seems pretty difficult for this reason, but here’s a wild shot:
—
Player controls a spy on a grid that enemys stalk. You move then enemies move. Enemies move and detect you if you’re within 2 spaces on their turn. Try to not be detected and deduce information from INTEL.
MOVEMENT
Walk: Move 2 spaces.
Run: Move 3 spaces, increase detection range by 1.
Sneak: (Move 1 but only adjacent enemies can see you)
INTERACTION
Percieve: Look at a space within range and gather INTEL if there
Deduce: Wait a turn per intelligence to gain VP
Take Down: Neutralize an enemy if behind it
—
Blargh, seems like this sort of train of thought would lead to somthing similar to Invisible Inc. Maybe the wrong tack, need to look closer at SpyFall or The: Resistance or Werewolf or something. NOTE TO SELF: Play that game already.