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Help[Games] Re: Rule book?
in reply to a message by Mike C
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.
Elimination
--((Not sure how popular these are anymore, but there have been many in the past))
--This game starts with the host posting a list of names or name combos. The goal is to eliminate names or combos until only one is left. The first player will respond to the host with the names they are "eliminating" (typically in the subject of their message to reduce confusion). The second player will then respond to the first player's post and eliminate the next name/name combo. The process continues like a long chain until only one name or combo is left.
Abbreviation List
There are also a host of abbreviations unique to the Names Board that I would include in an informational post.
Game Abbreviations:
CAF: Create A Family
NTNB: Name the Next Baby
KUY: Keep Up Yourself (means that the host will not keep track of players' families)((side note: typically used for congrats games, and it is the general way congrats games are done at this point in time--not too many hosts keep track for you anymore))
Generation: The game follows a family for multiple generations
FN: First Name
MN: Middle Name
LN: Last Name
Family Structure Abbreviations
((AN: Not sure where the "dear" part of the abbreviations came from, and not everyone uses it anymore, but it is how I learned to play and is how I still format my families))
DH/H: Dear Husband or Husband
DW/W: Dear Wife or Wife
DS/S: Dear Son or Son
DD/D: Dear Daughter or Daughter
ADS/AS: Adopted Dear Son or Adopted Son
ADD/AD: Adopted Dear Daughter or Adopted Daughter
DFiancee: Dear Fiancee
SO: Significant Other (this is often used for the original couple as well, denoted as SO1 and SO2)
Other Abbreviations:
AN: Authors Note
ETA: Edited to Add
n/t or NT: no text within message (subject only)
wfl or WFL: will finish later
PNL: personal name list
((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.
Elimination
--((Not sure how popular these are anymore, but there have been many in the past))
--This game starts with the host posting a list of names or name combos. The goal is to eliminate names or combos until only one is left. The first player will respond to the host with the names they are "eliminating" (typically in the subject of their message to reduce confusion). The second player will then respond to the first player's post and eliminate the next name/name combo. The process continues like a long chain until only one name or combo is left.
Abbreviation List
There are also a host of abbreviations unique to the Names Board that I would include in an informational post.
Game Abbreviations:
CAF: Create A Family
NTNB: Name the Next Baby
KUY: Keep Up Yourself (means that the host will not keep track of players' families)((side note: typically used for congrats games, and it is the general way congrats games are done at this point in time--not too many hosts keep track for you anymore))
Generation: The game follows a family for multiple generations
FN: First Name
MN: Middle Name
LN: Last Name
Family Structure Abbreviations
((AN: Not sure where the "dear" part of the abbreviations came from, and not everyone uses it anymore, but it is how I learned to play and is how I still format my families))
DH/H: Dear Husband or Husband
DW/W: Dear Wife or Wife
DS/S: Dear Son or Son
DD/D: Dear Daughter or Daughter
ADS/AS: Adopted Dear Son or Adopted Son
ADD/AD: Adopted Dear Daughter or Adopted Daughter
DFiancee: Dear Fiancee
SO: Significant Other (this is often used for the original couple as well, denoted as SO1 and SO2)
Other Abbreviations:
AN: Authors Note
ETA: Edited to Add
n/t or NT: no text within message (subject only)
wfl or WFL: will finish later
PNL: personal name list
This message was edited 6/13/2020, 10:46 AM
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Replies
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
1