Math vs fun (was: Re: To change the subject; ...)

["Benedict" <boycat_oh@...>]

Hi

> I want to propose 
> a sincere question (not meant to offend, but to gain insight)
>  In your game design, which comes first, the math or the fun? 

I usually design piecepack games by first being inspired by the 
bits themselves.  I usally ask myself: 'What could the tiles be? 
How could the pawns be used?' King Arthur's Court is a good 
example - I wanted the pawns to be the characters Arthur, Merlin, 
Guinevere and Lancelot from the start, and the game grew 
around that. I have already posted how Pharaoh's Heir cam 
about, but using the blue (arms) tiles as a river was the first step.

So I suppose I start out with a little bit of fun, then do the math to 
make sure the game actually works, then check to make sure I 
didn't obscure the fun too much.

Phillip