Star Wars game results
We had 22 players over 3 tables (8/7/7). Players that came dressed in theme were assigned to the side to match their outfit (either Empire or Rebel). The rest drew "randomly".
I started with Pente stones. Black for Empire, White for Rebel, placing them in 3 different bags (one bag for each table). The first bag had 4 of each color, so the last player to pick just got what was left. The next bag also had 8 stones (4 of each color), but 7 players. the remaining stone went into the 3rd bag which had 3 of each color.
I had pre-randomized seating, so as players showed up in dress, I would pull the stone from their bag, so they would get their appropriate team. Dress like Princess Leia, and I'm not making you play for the Empire. In the event 5 rebels would have been sitting at the same table to start, I had a preset plan to move players, but that wasn't necessary. In the end, what I had devised was a way to make the starting tables as close to even as possible.
After pulling a stone, you would select a bounty marker:
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Just some fun bounty markers made for the occasion.
I could explain all the rules, but it would be easier to just show you the newsletter:
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Inside the Zombie's Brain is our regular newsletter. This was the 110th issue, in case you don't do roman numerals that high.
Originally, I was going to do a $100 bonus, but went with $200, because it divides into equal shares better. In case you were wondering how the rest of the pay table went...
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The bonus table scrolls down to 13 players, but I could have stopped at 11, though it would be wildly unlikely that all of 1 side would get eliminated before any of the other side. Always have a plan, even if you know the odds that you won't have to implement it (roughly 2000-1 against).
A number of players got into the theme (not all are shown here, because this was taken on a break, and smokers gotta smoke and drinkers gotta pee).
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People really started getting into the bonus, as knockouts weren't just "who got knocked out", but "which team!"
Musically, I built a Spotify setlist called Star Wars Setlist. It was carefully curated so the tempo of the music changed every level. To make it even better, parts of movie soundtracks used for battle scenes were used around the levels where I anticipated players getting knocked out, and the FInale music was used at the final level (these things are all calculatable for tournaments).
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The icing on the cake - Spotify turned the progress bar / timing bar at the bottom of the screen into a lightsaber
If you run a 5 hour Star Wars tournament with 15 minute levels and 12 minute breaks every hour, I left the playlist public
The final table sat 5 rebels and 5 Empire, which dropped to 4 and 4, then 3 and 3. When it got to 2 vs 2, the chip leader suggested a chop - A "New Republic" if you will.
In the end, the Stormtrooper blasted Emperor Palpatine for first.
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Empress Star chips, and Death Star dealer buttons for the win.
Those that know, know that is PCF's own
@Jonesey07 . He selected the Stormtrooper because "he looked the coolest". Jonsey has never seen a Star Wars movie, do he didn't know he should miss every time he draws.
Swag left behind by one of our players with a 3d printer...
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In the end, it was a huge success. May the 4th won't land on gameday again until 2030, but you bet we will be hosting that day, and will use this bonus again!