Submarine zine game made for https://itch.io/jam/flyover-zine-jam
Downloadable PDF here: https://espiongames.itch.io/sugar-dog
Recommended listening: https://youtu.be/oDJsXIBxpQw
- these rules
- paper (graph paper is recommended)
- writing utensil (pencil is recommended)
- at least 1 opponent (this game supports any number of additional players)
Create the game map, the size of which is determined by number of players. The game is played on a grid. Label the horizontal axis with letters, and the vertical axis with numbers.
The base map size for a 2 player game is 6x6. Each additional player adds 2 to the width and height of the grid:
- 2 players: 6 x 6
- 3 players: 8 x 8
- 4 players: 10 x 10
- etc
Select a starting position on the map, mark it but do not reveal it to your opponent/s. Once all players have secretly noted their starting positions, play can begin.
The player who was most recently in a submarine goes first.
This player has decided to start in space C4, and is using an "s" to track the location
of their submarine. There are only 2 players in this example, so the grid is 6x6.
+---+---+---+---+---+---+
6 | | | | | | |
+---+---+---+---+---+---+
5 | | | | | | |
+---+---+---+---+---+---+
4 | | | s | | | |
+---+---+---+---+---+---+
3 | | | | | | |
+---+---+---+---+---+---+
2 | | | | | | |
+---+---+---+---+---+---+
1 | | | | | | |
+---+---+---+---+---+---+
A B C D E F
Each player takes turns giving commands and determining results. Note your commands in the command log and mark your position (and any active torpedoes or mines) on your map each turn. Movement is only to adjacent spaces, not diagonal spaces. It's advisable to track any contacts on the map, too. Refer to the Submarine Captain's Guide for more operational instructions.
This player now occupies space F4, and is using a "t" to track their active torpedo
and an "m" to track the location of a mine they placed. The player previously
identified a contact in F1, which they marked with "c".
+---+---+---+---+---+---+
6 | | | | | | |
+---+---+---+---+---+---+
5 | | | | | | |
+---+---+---+---+---+---+
4 | | | | m | | s |
+---+---+---+---+---+---+
3 | | | | | | |
+---+---+---+---+---+---+
2 | | | | | | t |
+---+---+---+---+---+---+
1 | | | | | | c |
+---+---+---+---+---+---+
A B C D E F
COMMAND LOG
–––––––––––
1. move to D4
2. place mine in D4 (2 remaining)
3. move to E4 (noted contact in F1)
4. move to F4
5. fire torpedo (moves to F3, then F2)
The last surviving submarine wins the game! If no submarines survive then the game ends in a draw.
The map is how you track your submarine's position, and the positions of your mines and torpedoes. You are advised to also track contacts on your map, but you are not required to do so.
As the Captain of your submarine it is your duty to keep accurate records of your commands each turn. Commands are most easily tracked when grouped by turn, some turns you may only move, but sometimes you will also need to track the positions of torpedoes. It can be difficult to remember what happened previously if you don't keep an orderly Command Log.
Your submarine has powerful engines with stealth capabilities, and is equipped with sonar, torpedoes, and mines. While your submarine is powerful, it is fragile. Do not let anything impact it or all aboard will perish.
Your submarine is capable of high speeds, but the engines can generate significant noise and reveal your position, unless you suppress all unnecessary noise by moving slowly and purposefully.
- Either maintain your position or move 1 space (silently, do not announce contacts)
- Move 2 spaces (though you cannot move diagonally, you can move to the side and then over):
- As each space is entered, follow the same protocol:
- Announce a contact in the space
- Pause for contacts
- If there is another contact in the same space, both contacts are destroyed
- If there are no contacts, either move into the second space and recheck for contacts, or announce that there are no further contacts
- If your submarine enters the same space as another contact:
- Announce an impact
- Everything in that space is destroyed
Your submarine has two kinds of sonars available: passive and active. Passive sonars pick up sounds in the vicinity, while active sonar generates a loud "ping" that returns echoes, revealing objects even if they are stationary.
- Announce a "ping" and subsequent contact/s
- Announce your position first (as the source of the "ping"), then announce your mine and torpedo positions, if you have any
- Request responses
- When responding, announce yourself, active mines, and active torpedoes
- Always list the positions closest to the sonar source first
Torpedoes are deadly missiles that destroy anything they impact with. While your submarine is armed with as many torpedoes as you might possibly need, a wise Captain will not fire them recklessly.
- Each turn, torpedoes move 2 spaces in a straight line, never changing direction
- Once torpedoes move off the map, they are lost to the void
- As each space is entered, follow the same protocol:
- Announce a contact in the space
- Pause for contacts
- If there is another contact in the same space, both contacts are destroyed
- If there are no contacts, either move into the second space and recheck for contacts, or announce that there are no further contacts
- If a torpedo enters the same space as another contact:
- Announce an impact
- Everything in that space is destroyed
Mines are dangerous bombs that detonate when something strays into them. Each submarine carries a limited supply of 3 mines.
- Place the mine at your current position (if you have mines available)
- Remove the mine from your inventory when it's deployed
- If another contact moves into the space a mine is in:
- Announce an impact
- Everything in that space is destroyed
Can a submarine occupy the same space of another submarine or mine?
Yes, if the submarine is silent running, meaning it's moving carefully and is potentially at a different depth, it avoids collisions with nearby objects.