Week 4: Introduction to Worker Placement Mechanics in Board Games

Overview

• Start of week four focuses on individual mechanics of board games.
• Goal: Understand mechanics, challenges, benefits.
• Outcome: Choose a mechanic to adapt into your board game.

Worker Placement Mechanics

Definition

• Worker Placement: Physically placing a token or game piece (usually in human form, e.g., meeple) on a space to gain benefits.
  • Benefits received immediately or when the token is retrieved.

Example: Pirate Ship

• Blueprint of a pirate ship used to illustrate worker placement.
• Spaces/rooms designated for placing workers (e.g., placing a piece in the cannon room to fire a cannon).

Reasons for Popularity

• Progression: Mimics real-life progress (actions by people lead to outcomes).
• Choice and Versatility:
  • Workers can perform different tasks (like people perform various activities).
  • Limitations on simultaneous actions (time constraints).
  • Placing a worker signifies making a choice, similar to real-life decisions.

Essential Elements of Worker Placement Games

1. Limited Workers: Each player has a limited number of workers to place.
2. Turn Order: Players take turns placing workers.
3. Communal Spaces: Players share the same spaces for placing workers.
4. Limited Spaces: Finite number of spaces available for workers.
5. Resource Limitations:
   • Access to certain spaces might require prior resources (e.g., gunpowder for firing cannons).

Example Gameplay

• Players take turns placing workers on spaces to gain specific benefits.
• Benefits depend on game mechanics and chosen spaces.

Optional Elements in Worker Placement Games

• Worker Influence: Ability to manipulate other players' workers.
• Turn Structure: Turns between placing workers can be structured or non-structured.
• Worker Theme: Tokens don't have to be people.
• Unlimited Actions: Some actions may have reusable spaces.
• Thematic Actions: Actions usually represent work but can deviate if needed.
• Expansion of Actions:
  • Actions can expand over time, adding progression to the game.
  • Example: Unlocking more powerful actions after initial setups (e.g., operating heavier guns).
• Ownership of Spaces: Players might own spaces and gain bonuses when others use them.

Conclusion

• Basic elements of worker placement games outlined.
• Next lecture to cover variations and advanced details.