#3 - (Very) Rough Drafts

As I mentioned in the previous post, I'd built up some ideas of types of graves, names to give, and small quotes or inscriptions for the headstones. In order to develop a series of puzzles that get more complex and non- repetitive, I've chosen to make the cards in that order. I've made my first (very) rough draft for a grid of 5x5 cards. 

If you can read my handwriting,  these would be some primordial SPOILERS:

What I've done is create the the "correct" order to solve the puzzles in, indicated by the number in the corner. That number will be changed in the first draft, as it will reflect their actual position.

In doing the very rough draft, I've established:

• The upward sloping complexity of the puzzles.
• The order of puzzles are a rotation through using the different elements (The Name, Birth and Death years, the Quote/Inscription on the placard, grave style , and additional visual/environmental items. This will have players progressively looking at more elements, and how they can relate/establish connections between cards to solve the puzzles.
•  Getting a start on what cards will need certain visual elements, and what cards should be positioned next to what other cards.

Other Thoughts:

• I believe that I will have to approach the actual card arrangement by finding sets of cards that must relate to each other, establish their places as necessitated by their puzzle, then fill in spaces with cards that are position-agnostic. 

• I will need to make filler cards, that are not involved in the order you have to solve, but either add to the puzzles, make you think twice/mislead you. The starting prototype will likely be the  25 cards (which includes start/end cards) and 5 extra cards.

• This is going to be very visually heavy, which means any good, finished version will have to feature art-not-by-me!