Makerboard Game #3: SUSPENsion-baseD balance game by LokusArts

Last crawled date: 3 years ago

I made this a few years ago to test my then-new 3D printer, but last week during the CoMakingSpace open day celebration there was such positive feedback that I thought I'll have to finally share it ;-)
The design is based on the junior version of an American game I could not get over here in Germany, but I'll point out some apparent differences later on.
Stand
You can basically hang the starter piece whereever you want, but it would be best if it could move as freely as possible and further game pieces won't hit any obstacles (like the table) too soon.
I went for a Makerboard compatible piece that holds an M4 threaded rod (any other sizeable foot other than the Makerboard should work as well, just make sure it's steady enough so the game won't end by tipping over).
Please note that I have not actually tested the included hook design - just before I wanted to print it, I found a suitable hook in my spare parts collection and have been using that one ever since.
Rules
Keep in mind that these are just "my" rules! I'm not sure about the original ones since I only knew how the game looked when I defined them - feel free to adjust anything to taste:
up to 8 players (you can easily print more or less, I think the original game is only for 4)
give one piece of each color to every player, place the remainder on a public pile
players take turns rolling a color die to determine which piece to hang
if you don't have the piece you're supposed to play, roll again
only hang your pieces in free places (you can try to let them slide or fall into occupied places)
if pieces fall down during your turn, add them to your pile (if only the one new piece falls, take an additional one from the pile)
the first player to get rid of all pieces wins
Of course, you can make up additional rules or change these - some ideas:
limit how many hands can be used
introduce "penalties" if you roll a color you don't have, but someone else does (you hang their piece)
introduce a "draw from the pile" chance on certain die rolls
I scaled my pieces to fit a rather small print bed and therefore they seem to be smaller than in the original game - but that's not really a problem, it just makes the game less suitable for children and more challenging for adults I'd say! It also gives room for more players, making this a nice party game.
Further Ideas
make the starter piece and one or more other type(s) out of flexible material for an additional challenge
make a custom die or spinner to fit the rules you've chosen