The Greater Game
The Greater Game is a turn-based collaborative worldbuilding game.[1]
Contents
Players
The roster of players, as of 9 November 2020, consists of:[2]
From 29 June 2020 to 9 November 2020, several players were listed under different names: Trafalgar was listed as Stephen, RavShimon was listed as Shimon, AndyGr was listed as Andy, and Wammywoo was listed as Simon. Also, Sabiki was listed as 黒澤寂効 from 29 June 2020 to 3 July 2020 and as Matalya from 3 July 2020 to 9 November 2020.
A seventh player named Fabrizio expressed intent to play but later left the Facebook group. As such, Fabrizio was added to the list on 1 July 2020 but removed on 19 October 2020. Despite their temporary appearance on the roster, Fabrizio never made a move or served as game moderator.
Guidelines
The guidelines for the Greater Game were posted on 28 June 2020.[3]
Play
The game consists of multiple players, who each serve as game manager (GM) on a rotating basis. The first GM introduces and submits the theme. Then in a predetermined order, each player takes a turn. When it returns to the GM's turn, the position of GM passes to the next willing player in the play order. The outgoing GM takes a turn, approved by the incoming GM. The incoming GM then introduces and documents a new theme, and the player next in the play order takes their turn.
Options
On each turn, each player can choose to make a move or forfeit their turn. Players may opt to leave the game at any point. Non-players may also request to join at any point. If the GM approves the request, the new player enters the play order directly preceding the GM's turn. The GM may consider a player to have forfeited by default if they have not said anything for at least 72 hours.
Moves
If a player makes a move, the group provides constructive feedback. The player may edit their move as they receive feedback. Timing is flexible, but the GM aims to provide at least 24 hours for feedback. Then the GM makes a decision. If the GM approves the move, then the GM officially submits the move. The player updates the appropriate articles in the wiki, and then informs the next player. If the GM rejects the move, then the GM provides a rationale for the rejection. The player then revises their move until the move is approved.
Canon
At any point, any player may request canon clarification. If the GM so desires, they can provide and submit the clarification. Clarifications should not be used to introduce new lore but to resolve genuine confusion that results from poorly worded text.
Rules
- Each move introduces One Thing.
- Each move expands upon the theme or a previous move.
- No move retcons a previous move.
- Civility is expected.
Trivia
- The name for the game was inspired by "The Great Game", a turn-based collaborative language inventing game, described as "a Crazy Conlang Idea to create a language collaboratively".[4]
