It has been a while since I have reviewed what is essentially a free game, at least for most gamers.
In this case the game is Generatorb.
So why would I call it a free game?
To start with there has never been a commercially available version of this game which was created in 2001 by Tim Schutz.
Luckily putting together your own version of the game is pretty straight forward.
It is played on an 8X8 board, the same as is used in checkers, or chess, and most people who enjoy board games will have at least one such board in a closet.
After that each player requires 24 stackable game pieces. Checkers work well, although anyone who bodgers games as ‘do-it-yourself’ projects will rather quickly come up with workable game pieces.
And that is all you need to play Generatorb.
As for game play, it starts out by turning the board until it appears as a diamond between the two players.
The orientation of the board, while not unique to Generatorb, is not used to often, so it gives this abstract strategy game an unusual visual playing field. It makes you visualize moves in a slightly askew fashion from the norm.
The playing pieces are called Orbs.
At the beginning of the game both players start with four Orbs in their Orb-Generator (the four squares at the point of the diamond closest to each play).
To win you must capture your opponent’s Orb-Generator Core by placing one of your playing pieces on it (the corner square closest to opponent).
Players only get a total of 24 Orbs in a game.
Orbs move by jumping in a straight line over another playing piece to the empty space behind it. Orbs can go in any of the eight directions when moving, but must jump over a piece to move. Orbs can do multiple jumps if it is possible, similar to a checkers jump.
With four pieces starting on the board the remaining 20 are held in reserve off the board.
After an Orb moves out of the Orb-Generator and vacates a space, a new playing piece is placed in the empty space. This is done at the end of a player’s turn. It’s not considered a turn to create a new Orb. Only one new Orb can be created per turn. Players may leave a space in the Orb-Generator empty until another turn if they so desire.
Capturing opponent pieces is an element of Generatorb. Orbs capture by jumping over a playing piece onto your opponents playing piece. Orbs can only capture Orbs not Spheroids.
So what is a Spheroid you ask?
Spheroids are two Orbs stacked on top of each other to create one playing piece. They are created by jumping an Orb over another playing piece onto one of your own Orbs.
Spheroids are more versatile pieces as they can move two ways, either like an Orb or one space in any direction. Similar to a Chinese Checker.
Spheroids capture by landing on your opponent’s piece. Spheroids can capture Orbs and Spheroids.
To split a Spheroid move the top piece like a Spheroid and leave the bottom piece behind. You can split a Spheroid as a move or as a capture. Yes, a splitting Spheroid can capture another Spheroid.
That was basically the game when created.
However, good games evolve, and Generatorb did just that, becoming much more in the process of that evolution.
A few years after creating the game Schutz revisited his creation and added a third piece; the Globe.
Globes are a stack of three same colored game pieces and are created by stacking an Orb on a Spheroid, a Spheroid on an Orb or by splitting a Spheroid and stacking half of it onto another Spheroid.
Place a stack of three pieces two spaces in front of your Orb-Generator … each player starts with a Globe.
Globes have several rules attached to them which add depth to the game.
Only your own orbs and spheroids may use your globe to jump over as a move.
Globes move along the board like a queen in chess, giving them significant freedom in terms of traversing the board.
Globes cannot jump over other game pieces.
Globes cannot be placed on an Orb-generator core, but may be placed onto any other Orb-generator space.
Globes cannot be captured or capture other game pieces.
Globes cannot be placed or created orthogonally next to another globe regardless of what colour the other globe is.
Once created, globes cannot be split into its component parts.
The abilities and limitations of Globe pieces add much to the game.
In addition, a new win condition was added as well.
You win by taking control of five of the Front Line spaces. This is the line of eight spaces across the middle of the diamond.
With the revised rules Generatorb goes from the rather mundane, to a game that edges its way into comparisons with some of the best alternative games for your checkerboard, in the conversation with great games such as Lines of Action and Dameo.
