3D or Not 3D

While fully-rendered, interactive and immersive 3-dimensional maps are indeed terrific to play with, they require computers with advanced graphics cards, powerful processors and wicked-fast broadband connections, which unfortunately leaves out 99% of the computers around the world.

The P2P Game Engine is meant to be used on as many computers as possible, over connections ranging from dial-up to wi-fi, ethernet cable to T1 line. As a result the maps and game boards will be simple, static images using common file formats such as jpeg, gif, or png. Any changes to the board will be represented through overlays and text alterations.

However, as any pre-computer gamer will tell you, it's not the graphics that makes a game fun, it's the play design. Some of the most popular board games have simplistic graphics but the play design keeps people coming back for more. There have been hundreds of card games on the market, but the winners did not become popular because of stunning artwork, but rather because they were so much fun to play.

The sides can block visibility but not movement. In this case, any line of sight stops when crossing this hex side, but pieces can move through it unhindered.

Each side of a hex can contain instructions for movement. In a simple game the instructions for this side could be "Enter only" or "Exit only" to make sure the players move their pieces in a certain direction. For a more complex game the modifiers could be "Ground = +2, Flying = -1, If Costume >= Tuxedo then Dancing = Tango."

Hexes are embedded with instructions the same way pieces are, through a simple and expanding list. You just click on the center to input the modifiers for the entire hex, then click on each side if they need specific instructions.

Corners can also be selected to receive special instructions or modifiers, for diagonal moves, line of sight, or anything the game creator thinks of.

Line Of Sight rules add a whole new dimension to board games. When the game creator adds Line Of Sight you can hide units over hills, build secret hotels behind the water works, or drive your opponent crazy by having fast critters dashing around through the brush. The game creator can set the level of Line Of Sight to be either on or off (so a unit behind a tree is completely invisible) or as a variable (your opponent can see there is a unit there, but seeing what kind of unit, and what it's stats are, depend on visibility modifiers). This would also affect combat, if that is a factor of the game, so a kid hunkered down behind a table can avoid the flying spaghetti in a food fight game, while a kid standing on top of the table is wide open for the meatloaf surprise attack.

With traditional non-computer games Line Of Sight is simulated through complex rules that slow the game down. With the P2P Game Engine this is handled automatically, allowing the players to indulge in quick games of hide and seek or ninja bunny wars.

The sides can block visibility but not movement. In this case, any line of sight stops when crossing this hex side, but pieces can move through it unhindered.

The hex as a whole can be given a list of instructions or modifiers, such as "fire +1" or "No dragons allowed."

As the game progresses the sides can change attributes. For instance, a wall that takes 50% damage could allow single-person units to pass, or connecting this hex to the power grid could activate the robotic bunnies that gnaw any giant mutant vegetables crossing that side.

Sides can be given as many attributes as the game creator needs. This side could have 21 modifiers ranging from "Defense +10" to "Ad Revenue -5%," while the opposite side could have no modifiers at all.

A hex side can not only represent a solid wall, but have attributes such as hit points, points given for crossing, damage given, etc.

Sides could have two-way modifiers. An incline like this could have +1 movement for all exiting the hex from this side, while those entering could have a -4.