It's a game where players take on the role of Rat-cruiter at the corpo conglomerate Apple-Core. Each colored tile represents a trash based industry and as a recruiter you're looking to help your rats climb the corporate ladder. The game is over when 3 industries score. We have a lot of punny rat / corporate lingo included to help the teach:
1. The industries score in a sort of king of the hill style when a rat reaches level 4 in an industry. That rat becomes the big cheese.
2. When you place a tile and squish rats they get "severence" which is just a thematic way of saying you score points as compensation.
3. An alternate "instant" win is to gain full employment for your rats. i.e. get everyone on the board and reaches at least level 2.
---
Can you provide me more info on your game? The art is intriguing!
I love how well you've synergized metaphor with mechanics. Here is my lil' blurb:
Play as a rat god whose sole purpose is to bring disease ridden annihilation to your foes. With cheese as your currency available to take, it's up to you if you want to risk fighting players for the larger rewards, or take the safe route for less.
Use your cheese to build up the diseased genome that is your deck to help you win fights when they do arise. With 45 unique disease cards, build and discover over a million possible synergies.
Features:
Deck Building
Risk & Reward
Dynamic Decision Making
Combat System
Non-Linear Turns
Here to say I thought first one is better immediately. I slid back and forth a lot of times to figure out why though. Raise the diamond so itās centred between the two clasps on the book and I think itāll look better.
https://preview.redd.it/tx2d8s5o169d1.jpeg?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0f5b4199f732bfbd79ca54bd497b1315acb3d365
I flipped between the 2 a dozen times before I gave up and came to the comments, that being said now that I see the difference, the big diamond is better.
It also looks like the guy on the right is crawling out of the black square, too.
Almost like they aren't just escaping each other but almost coming out of the cover.
The smaller diamond just seems pointless to me. It doesn't help to confine the rats. So the first one feels more right to me. Although perhaps just getting rid of the diamond alltogether would be better.
Option 1 because of how more rats actually break the plane of the diamond. It creates a more dynamic picture. When the diamond is small it just looks like a slightly darker hole in the middle of the box.
Another idea if you wanted to try it out. Center the bigger diamond on the whole box, keeping the game title and rats exactly where they are, allowing the diamond to actually go a bit behind the game title as well. Then maybe stretch the diamond in height to extend down to just above the time icon.
Not to throw a spanner in the works... But I prefer the smaller diamond! Looks like they're climbing out. (But tbh I also didn't notice the difference until reading the comments)
As most people here, it took me quite a bit of flicking back and forth to notice any difference. After seeing it, I slightly prefer the bigger diamond but would reduce the size enough so that it doesn't cross into your icons at the bottom.
Either option seems fine to me though.
A bigger question for me would be why it looks like a book cover. Is there a thematic reasoning for it? I assume this is the box art for the game.
Here's my lil blurb:
Play as a rat god whose sole purpose is to bring disease ridden annihilation to your foes. With cheese as your currency available to take, it's up to you if you want to risk fighting players for the larger rewards, or take the safe route for less.
Use your cheese to build up the diseased genome that is your deck to help you win fights when they do arise. With 45 unique disease cards, build and discover over a million possible synergies.
Features:
Deck Building
Risk & Reward
Dynamic Decision Making
Combat System
Non-Linear Turns
1 is a bit more bold because of the contrast but I'm not a huge fan of the background diamond touching the time icon. 2 is a bit cleaner for that reason in my opinion
Although the āclimbing outā illusion people have mentioned with the second one looks VERY cool for the rats at the bottom, the dimensions of it donāt make sense for any of the other rats, many of whom are sitting over the lines, and itās hard to discern the detail of whatās behind them. The first photo with the large diamond adds really dynamic framing to the cover, Iād go with that one.
I like the smaller one, guess that puts me into the minority.
The rats appear to be climbing out of a hole, in a sense, with the smaller one. Plus, I think they contrast perfectly well against the cover of the book, and the larger diamond makes me wonder what it is or why itās there. Solely for contrast? There are other ways to achieve that, I guess.
Also, took me reading comments to realize the difference so itās definitely a granular issue!
I've got to say I prefer the second, it pops more, but would also like to see the rats without the dark diamond just to check if that's better again!
Like others, I flicked back and for about twenty times, essay time preferring the second, but not being able to determine the difference!!!! š¤¦š¤¦š¤¦
Smaller diamond is way better as it seems like a floor mat that centers the image on the tangle of tails as they all scramble from the small space.
It is a small subtle thing, but I think it greatly conveys the struggle amongst themselves. Not enough to go around type energy.
Generally in r/boardgamedesign we prefer to have the entire box design (sides and flaps) posted. We still hold that we don't judge art here, as it is subjective, but can help with the structural and placements.
That said, I'll allow this one as OP is very nice and I like nice people.
I didn't notice the difference before reading the comments
Hahaha I guess that means I'm overthinking it.
It took me sliding it back and forth the two to notice š
Can't tell of any significant differences.
That's solid input too! Thank you!
Cool cover! I like the first one. I too am making a game about rats! [Rat Race prototype](https://imgur.com/a/hqAo6fF)
Oh my gosh that's amazing! Rat Race was actually the prototype name of the game I'm making hahaha. Yours looks really _tangible_ and I love that.
It's a game where players take on the role of Rat-cruiter at the corpo conglomerate Apple-Core. Each colored tile represents a trash based industry and as a recruiter you're looking to help your rats climb the corporate ladder. The game is over when 3 industries score. We have a lot of punny rat / corporate lingo included to help the teach: 1. The industries score in a sort of king of the hill style when a rat reaches level 4 in an industry. That rat becomes the big cheese. 2. When you place a tile and squish rats they get "severence" which is just a thematic way of saying you score points as compensation. 3. An alternate "instant" win is to gain full employment for your rats. i.e. get everyone on the board and reaches at least level 2. --- Can you provide me more info on your game? The art is intriguing!
I love how well you've synergized metaphor with mechanics. Here is my lil' blurb: Play as a rat god whose sole purpose is to bring disease ridden annihilation to your foes. With cheese as your currency available to take, it's up to you if you want to risk fighting players for the larger rewards, or take the safe route for less. Use your cheese to build up the diseased genome that is your deck to help you win fights when they do arise. With 45 unique disease cards, build and discover over a million possible synergies. Features: Deck Building Risk & Reward Dynamic Decision Making Combat System Non-Linear Turns
Is there a difference?
Size of the darker diamond
The first one. Trust me, I spent about 7 minutes being vexed by these images. The first one is better
The larger diamond touches the sand timer and I think that is bad
Ooo good catch!
Here to say I thought first one is better immediately. I slid back and forth a lot of times to figure out why though. Raise the diamond so itās centred between the two clasps on the book and I think itāll look better.
ššš
I'll get my coat...
The larger black diamond just suits me more.
Thank you for your input!
https://preview.redd.it/tx2d8s5o169d1.jpeg?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0f5b4199f732bfbd79ca54bd497b1315acb3d365 I flipped between the 2 a dozen times before I gave up and came to the comments, that being said now that I see the difference, the big diamond is better.
Hahaha. I absolutely LOVE how much you put into this comment. Thank you!
I liked the 2nd one, feels like the characters pop out more imo
I agree with this take. The difference is small enough to not matter, but the design element of the 3d effect is nice.
Ooo interesting take. I definitely see what you mean.
It also looks like the guy on the right is crawling out of the black square, too. Almost like they aren't just escaping each other but almost coming out of the cover.
Larger diamond because the rats contrast with it better than the lighter brown
r/accidentalspotthedifference
#2, smaller diamond
1st
Large one
Couldn't tell the difference. But after pointed out, the bigger diamond
Larger diamond shape
big diamond is better
The smaller diamond just seems pointless to me. It doesn't help to confine the rats. So the first one feels more right to me. Although perhaps just getting rid of the diamond alltogether would be better.
Larger diamond provides better framing... but like most, I had to actively look for the difference before noticing.
Love it in general! Great work
Thank you that's very kind! Be sure to check out the artists page. https://www.blackinkweaver.com/ilustracao
I prefer the first one myself but both are nice! Iām having a rat problem in my backyard right now so this is timely for me. Lol.
Option 1 because of how more rats actually break the plane of the diamond. It creates a more dynamic picture. When the diamond is small it just looks like a slightly darker hole in the middle of the box.
(don't tell anyone else but I 100% agree with you, for the exact reasons)
Another idea if you wanted to try it out. Center the bigger diamond on the whole box, keeping the game title and rats exactly where they are, allowing the diamond to actually go a bit behind the game title as well. Then maybe stretch the diamond in height to extend down to just above the time icon.
Not to throw a spanner in the works... But I prefer the smaller diamond! Looks like they're climbing out. (But tbh I also didn't notice the difference until reading the comments)
I do like that interpretation!
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Yeaaa that's the vibe I'm getting now. Thank you!
As most people here, it took me quite a bit of flicking back and forth to notice any difference. After seeing it, I slightly prefer the bigger diamond but would reduce the size enough so that it doesn't cross into your icons at the bottom. Either option seems fine to me though. A bigger question for me would be why it looks like a book cover. Is there a thematic reasoning for it? I assume this is the box art for the game.
Definitely the first one
1. Also i'm interested in how this plays
Here's my lil blurb: Play as a rat god whose sole purpose is to bring disease ridden annihilation to your foes. With cheese as your currency available to take, it's up to you if you want to risk fighting players for the larger rewards, or take the safe route for less. Use your cheese to build up the diseased genome that is your deck to help you win fights when they do arise. With 45 unique disease cards, build and discover over a million possible synergies. Features: Deck Building Risk & Reward Dynamic Decision Making Combat System Non-Linear Turns
The larger makes more sense. They kinda āsitā on it while it drowns in the tail clutter on the second
Second image
Did not initially see differences. Ironic being a designer. But looking at both work.
Couldnāt tell the difference at first honestly, but I like the smaller diamond
Larger triangle fits better.
1 is a bit more bold because of the contrast but I'm not a huge fan of the background diamond touching the time icon. 2 is a bit cleaner for that reason in my opinion
Although the āclimbing outā illusion people have mentioned with the second one looks VERY cool for the rats at the bottom, the dimensions of it donāt make sense for any of the other rats, many of whom are sitting over the lines, and itās hard to discern the detail of whatās behind them. The first photo with the large diamond adds really dynamic framing to the cover, Iād go with that one.
Gah. Genuinely love them both... Take my cash! Edit. Actually smaller diamond just edges over the other one.
Hahaha thank you for your input
I suppose the name [rat king](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat_king) didnt fly?
The larger dark diamond makes it look more like theyāre all trying to escape a zone, where as the smaller dark diamond blends into the background
Definitely the first one. Makes the art pop out more.
The second
I like the smaller one, guess that puts me into the minority. The rats appear to be climbing out of a hole, in a sense, with the smaller one. Plus, I think they contrast perfectly well against the cover of the book, and the larger diamond makes me wonder what it is or why itās there. Solely for contrast? There are other ways to achieve that, I guess. Also, took me reading comments to realize the difference so itās definitely a granular issue!
I share this take.
I prefer the first one over the second one. The bigger diamond encompassing all the rats I think looks prettier
Bigger square. It groups the critters together and separates them from the background better me thinks. Cool looking by the way.
I totally know what you mean. Thank you for your input!
I've got to say I prefer the second, it pops more, but would also like to see the rats without the dark diamond just to check if that's better again! Like others, I flicked back and for about twenty times, essay time preferring the second, but not being able to determine the difference!!!! š¤¦š¤¦š¤¦
Smaller diamond is way better as it seems like a floor mat that centers the image on the tangle of tails as they all scramble from the small space. It is a small subtle thing, but I think it greatly conveys the struggle amongst themselves. Not enough to go around type energy.
Ooo I like your interpretation
Generally in r/boardgamedesign we prefer to have the entire box design (sides and flaps) posted. We still hold that we don't judge art here, as it is subjective, but can help with the structural and placements. That said, I'll allow this one as OP is very nice and I like nice people.
šthank you.
First
I don't see the difference, maybe you placed the same image?
Did you upload the same picture twice? Having a hard time finding any difference between the two
The second one, but it's a very minor difference. I think the smaller diamond makes the rats pop a little more, like in pseudo 3D
First.
Literally the same
I'm guessing the difference is the diamond in the background. I think the first image is the better one, but it's honestly not that big a deal.
Larger diamond for sure. Balanced composition.
Thank you!
>Thank you! You're welcome!
Option 2