Dodgem (1950) – Board Game Guys

Dodgem

Dodgem is a simple abstract strategy game invented by Colin Vout in 1972 while he was a mathematics student at the University of Cambridge. It is played on an n×n board, where n is an odd number. The game mechanics are similar in style to ludo/pachisi but involve moving both a pedestrian and a vehicle from Home to Base to win. The game has gained popularity due to its simple rules and strategic gameplay.

Why is Dodgem Popular?

Dodgem is popular due to its simple rules and strategic gameplay. It is also significant because it is a game that can be completely analyzed (strongly solved) for a 3×3 board, and a table showing who wins from every possible position is given in Winning Ways. However, the 4×4 and 5×5 games never end with perfect play, and both players get stuck shuffling their cars from side to side to prevent the other from winning.

Game Components of Dodgem

Board: An \( n \times n \) grid, with common sizes being \( 3 \times 3 \), \( 4 \times 4 \), and \( 5 \times 5 \).

Cars: \( n-1 \) blue cars and \( n-1 \) red cars.

Empty Space: One empty square at the bottom left corner of the board.

How To Setup Dodgem

The board is set up with \( n-1 \) blue cars along the left edge and \( n-1 \) red cars along the bottom edge, leaving the bottom left square empty.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Turns: Players alternate turns; Player 1 (“Left”) moves blue cars right or sideways (up or down), while Player 2 (“Right”) moves red cars up or sideways (left or right).

Movement: Cars cannot move onto occupied spaces and can leave the board only through forward moves.

Objective: The game is won by the player who first gets all their cars off the board or blocks all their opponent’s cars.

Variation: The game can also be played in Misere mode, where the goal is to force the opponent to move all their pieces off the board.

Player Experience

Dodgem is a game of strategic planning and foresight. Players need to balance the need to move their cars off the board with the necessity of blocking their opponent’s moves. The game requires careful consideration of each move, as a single misstep can lead to being blocked or forced into a losing position.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Despite its simple rules, Dodgem offers complex and challenging gameplay.

Quick Games: Matches can be relatively short, especially on smaller boards.

Analytical: The smaller boards can be fully analyzed, making it a great game for those who enjoy solving puzzles.

Cons

Repetitive: Larger boards can result in games that never end with perfect play, leading to repetitive shuffling of cars.

Limited Board Sizes: The game is most enjoyable on smaller boards; larger boards can become stagnant.

Personal Thoughts on Dodgem

Dodgem is ideal for fans of abstract strategy games who appreciate deep, analytical gameplay. It is a great choice for mathematics enthusiasts and those who enjoy solving strategic puzzles. However, it may not be the best fit for players seeking fast-paced action or those who prefer games with a high level of randomness.

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