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Help[Games] Rule book?
It would be nice if there was a list of the games played here and their rules. It would be helpful to have a link to such a document at the top of the board so unfamiliar users could become familiar.
If anyone wants to take a stab at describing one or some of the games, you could do so in a reply to this message. I'll do my best to put the resulting information together.
If anyone wants to take a stab at describing one or some of the games, you could do so in a reply to this message. I'll do my best to put the resulting information together.
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CAFs and Congrats Games
Create-a-Family games: These are one-round games where the player is given a family template and instructed to give names to each member of the family.
1) Choices: For each family member, you're given 6-12 name options. Oftentimes, the host will tell the players that they have the option of changing any name to a different spelling or variant, as well as changing nicknames to full names.
a) First/middle - There is a slash in the middle of the list of options to indicate that the first name must come from the first half and the middle name from the second half.
b) Combo - Instead of single names, the player is given full combos to choose from.
2) Namebank: This is similar to a Choices CAF, but instead of options for each individual, you can choose from a namebank. The namebanks are split by gender, and depending on the size of the family, they can range from twenty names to 100 or more.
a) Count-Along - This is a variation on the namebank CAF where the player rolls (usually) a ten-sided die and uses the numbers they get to count along the namebank. Whatever names they land on are the first and middle name of one of the family members. The player then puts their favorite combos (one female and one male) from their resulting family in the subject line of their response.
3) Initials: The player is provided with a set of initials to work with for each family member.
4) Rules/criteria: The player must chose names that fit the given criteria.
Congrats games: These are multi-round games usually of ten rounds, but there can be as few as five or as many as 20 rounds. They're usually made so a player can jump in at any time (this is called a keep-up-yourself or KUY congrats), but sometimes the host will make a "sign-up sheet", indicating that only those who have signed up can play.
Create-a-Family games: These are one-round games where the player is given a family template and instructed to give names to each member of the family.
1) Choices: For each family member, you're given 6-12 name options. Oftentimes, the host will tell the players that they have the option of changing any name to a different spelling or variant, as well as changing nicknames to full names.
a) First/middle - There is a slash in the middle of the list of options to indicate that the first name must come from the first half and the middle name from the second half.
b) Combo - Instead of single names, the player is given full combos to choose from.
2) Namebank: This is similar to a Choices CAF, but instead of options for each individual, you can choose from a namebank. The namebanks are split by gender, and depending on the size of the family, they can range from twenty names to 100 or more.
a) Count-Along - This is a variation on the namebank CAF where the player rolls (usually) a ten-sided die and uses the numbers they get to count along the namebank. Whatever names they land on are the first and middle name of one of the family members. The player then puts their favorite combos (one female and one male) from their resulting family in the subject line of their response.
3) Initials: The player is provided with a set of initials to work with for each family member.
4) Rules/criteria: The player must chose names that fit the given criteria.
Congrats games: These are multi-round games usually of ten rounds, but there can be as few as five or as many as 20 rounds. They're usually made so a player can jump in at any time (this is called a keep-up-yourself or KUY congrats), but sometimes the host will make a "sign-up sheet", indicating that only those who have signed up can play.
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We've needed a rule book for a long time. I think it will really help new players. Here's some info that I came up with--anyone else can feel free to chime in on things. We really only play a few basic games, but there are a lot of variants around for each one. I can compile a list if you think that would be helpful.
((I've used "host" to identify the original poster and "player" to identify the respondents))
CAF: Create A Family
--This game comes in a variety of formats, but at its most basic, the host provides the family "structure" and players post their "family" that they've created as a response. The host will provide the family structure and sometimes ages or other descriptors of the family as well as a naming source. The naming source could be namebanks, a link, or categories/themes.
Congrats/Congratulations
--This game also comes in a variety of formats, but the basic format is that the host sets up multiple "rounds" during which a player will create their own unique family. In each round, the players receive a new addition to their family (usually a child, but sometimes a pet or other addition). The players name the new addition based on the criteria given by the host (lately, it has been choosing a picture, but the host may also use a namebank, external link, BtN link, or category/theme.
Year Game
--This game is set up by the host and is similar to a congrats game except that it takes place all in one post. Players typically roll a dice to determine the characteristics of their starting couple. The player can choose how many "years/rounds" to complete (the game is structured to be able to play as many or few "years" as the player wants). Each "year", the player will roll a dice to determine what event happens to the family (usually these are new additions or changes in the family's status). The player keeps track of their own family and adds one year to the ages of their family for each new "year/round" they decide to play. Once the player is finished, they post their family and the events that took place each year all in one post. Some players decide to write a story about their family as they go, while some write a sentence or two about each event, while others don't write anything at all and just add new additions into the family.
((I've used "host" to identify the original poster and "player" to identify the respondents))
CAF: Create A Family
--This game comes in a variety of formats, but at its most basic, the host provides the family "structure" and players post their "family" that they've created as a response. The host will provide the family structure and sometimes ages or other descriptors of the family as well as a naming source. The naming source could be namebanks, a link, or categories/themes.
Congrats/Congratulations
--This game also comes in a variety of formats, but the basic format is that the host sets up multiple "rounds" during which a player will create their own unique family. In each round, the players receive a new addition to their family (usually a child, but sometimes a pet or other addition). The players name the new addition based on the criteria given by the host (lately, it has been choosing a picture, but the host may also use a namebank, external link, BtN link, or category/theme.
Year Game
--This game is set up by the host and is similar to a congrats game except that it takes place all in one post. Players typically roll a dice to determine the characteristics of their starting couple. The player can choose how many "years/rounds" to complete (the game is structured to be able to play as many or few "years" as the player wants). Each "year", the player will roll a dice to determine what event happens to the family (usually these are new additions or changes in the family's status). The player keeps track of their own family and adds one year to the ages of their family for each new "year/round" they decide to play. Once the player is finished, they post their family and the events that took place each year all in one post. Some players decide to write a story about their family as they go, while some write a sentence or two about each event, while others don't write anything at all and just add new additions into the family.
This message was edited 6/13/2020, 10:46 AM
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Good post!
I would like to add to Family Structure Abbreviations:
BF = Boyfriend
DBF = Dear boyfriend
GF = Girlfriend
DGF = Dear girlfriend
DFiancee can also be abbreviated to DF or just F
GM = Grandmother (not used often)
DGM = Dear grandmother (also not used often)
GF = Grandfather (not used often, can be confused with GF = Girlfriend)
DGF = Dear grandfather (not used often)
StepS/StepD = stepson and stepdaughter
DW'sDD and DH'sDD = the wife's/husband's daughter from a previous relationship (outside of the main family)
DW'sDS and DH'sDS = the wife's/husband's son from a previous relationship (outside of the main family)
I would like to add to Family Structure Abbreviations:
BF = Boyfriend
DBF = Dear boyfriend
GF = Girlfriend
DGF = Dear girlfriend
DFiancee can also be abbreviated to DF or just F
GM = Grandmother (not used often)
DGM = Dear grandmother (also not used often)
GF = Grandfather (not used often, can be confused with GF = Girlfriend)
DGF = Dear grandfather (not used often)
StepS/StepD = stepson and stepdaughter
DW'sDD and DH'sDD = the wife's/husband's daughter from a previous relationship (outside of the main family)
DW'sDS and DH'sDS = the wife's/husband's son from a previous relationship (outside of the main family)
This message was edited 6/13/2020, 11:50 AM
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