CAGD 170

♤ ♢ SOLITAIRE MOD ♡ ♧

In this version of solitaire, turns are randomized and the game is concluded with a speed round. The player uses die to determine the number of moves for the first three turns, then makes as many moves as possible within a two-minute period for the final turn. 

Group 7's Goal

My group wanted to forge a more exciting game of solitaire. Unpredictable move limits with the additional timed element creates a frenzied experience perfect for people who may find vanilla solitaire a little slow. 

Playtesting

The initial play. The tableau is a standard solitaire set-up. Because I rolled a three, I get three moves for this turn.

 

For the first move of this turn, I moved the ace from pile four to the foundation.

  

Move two of three. I pulled a two of clubs from the deck and immediately added it to the foundation (This counts as a single move). 

The final move of this turn. I drew an ace of hearts and immediately placed it in the foundation. I repeated the process of this turn again twice, then ran the timer. 

Development and Finalization

-The challenge of creating this mod was finding a balance between thrill and move count. Too little moves and the game is impossible to win. Too many moves and the timer becomes pointless. In the future, I would play test much sooner and much more frequently.

-I experimented with a single die rather than two, but it required more total turns and the possibility of rolling a one was more irritating than gratifying. 

-The rules needed to be slightly reworded to be adequately explanatory for players with no solitaire experience but also condensed enough not to bore experienced players. I found that constant proofreading is necessary, and brevity is key. 

-We also clarified some rules (such as what counts as a move) and added a rule for jokers: the joker is now a wild card to assist the progression of the game. 

Following the next two turns and the speed free-for-all round, the game ended, unsatisfied. My group, however, are very satisfied with this mod.