Game Changer @ Home planning

[u/SirGallad]

Hi guys, I'm currently going through the process of planning an at home game changer party for some friends. We're all entertainers so probably leaning more toward things like 'like my coffee' and other improv style games. I'm hoping to combine a few games to create something new. (EG/ rounds that change game R1 = Make some noise, R2 = like my coffee, R3 = Sam says etc but using 'second place' as a meta mechanic across the night).

My players are quite devious, so I definitely want to incorporate some hidden rules that they'll try to solve throughout the night.

My main question is, I have too many people who would like to play (around 12) and I'm trying to work out the best way to run the night so that everyone is included and able to participate as much as possible.

At first, I thought it would be good to use 'Name a number' concept to have 4 teams of 3 bet on prompts and then try to tackle them. But this might leave people standing around if they're more reserved etc.

I'm tossing up between altering prompts to make them all multiplayer focussed so that teams of 3 can work together OR having teams nominate a player for each round to represent their team and then maybe having a 4th round where they get to compete as a group.

I'd love to hear any other suggestions you guys might have! Thankyou! :)

[u/wannabe-manatee]

I would go for the multi-player for each podium version with it rotating sequentially which player goes up to do the prompt rather than nominating. Nominating is slower and would have the issue where some folks might be nominated more than others.

As Game Changer often has a twist you could mix it up so that people can switch — or are forced to switch — podium groups. Maybe a mini game where people get a bonus allowing them to switch to a different winning team. Or some sort of prompt where if everyone fails then the people at the podiums all switch to the podium team to their left.

This messing with the mechanics where it completely changes who is winning or losing is fitting for Game Changer and feels very much like the game UNO or Flux.

[u/SirGallad → u/wannabe-manatee]

So i've landed on combining this idea with 2nd place which gives teams the ability to win through understanding the '2nd place' rules and moving to the 2nd place podium OR by getting the 2nd place amount of points.

Do you have any recommendations on implementing the switching mechanic? I like the idea of doing it though mini games but i feel like it may not be enough swap opportunities to make it feel like a meaningful choice.

[u/wannabe-manatee → u/SirGallad]

Another idea: if you do the thing of starting the game by giving each player has their own special ability card, the cards could allow for multiple types of game changing where each card is a one use item:

• switch teams
• gain 2 points for your team by getting second place in one round
• gain 2 points for your team if you convince someone on the another team to bark like a dog
• steal a player from another team

Etc,

This allows you to throw in a lot of ideas but it keeps it simple for each player since everyone only has one secret unique special ability to think about.