For The Win (2012)

Overview

For The Win is an abstract strategy game in which each player gets ten tiles, two of each character representing Monkeys, Zombies, Pirates, Aliens, and Ninjas. The objective is to connect five (or more) of your tiles, including at least one of each type, together (sides and corners count). Additionally, all five (or more) tiles must be face-up, or unactivated. The game ends immediately when a player achieves this goal. Each character type has a specific ability to help you toward the objective.

Gameplay

Players take turns using either 1 or 2 actions within 5-action rounds. Once one player's actions are consumed for a round, the other player(s) get to use any of their remaining 5 actions at once. Judicious action management is key; if you budget your actions wisely, you can play several actions in a row for game-winning combinations. The available actions are:

• Add a tile to the Grid
• Move one of your tiles
• Refresh or flip a tile face up
• Shove a tile or column/row of tiles
• Activate an ability (the chosen tile turns face down; see below)

Characters/abilities

• Alien - The Alien uses her tractor beam to pull any tile in the Grid to a space that is adjacent to her.
• Monkey - The mischievous Monkey uses a banana peel to flip over all of the tiles it is touching.
• Ninja - The sneaky Ninja can move from his current spot to any other unoccupied space in the Grid.
• Pirate - The Pirate uses his trusty cannon to blast an adjacent tile to any unoccupied space in the Grid.
• Zombie - The Zombie can infect any adjacent tile. The infected tile is removed from the Grid and replaced with a Zombie tile that has not yet been added to the Grid. If all of the Zombie tiles have already been added to the Grid, the Zombie may choose one adjacent tile and deactivate it (that is, flip it face down).

Kickstarter Campaign

The For The Win Kickstarter campaign has now concluded, but may be viewed here. Milestones:

• It passed the $15k funding mark 01/25/12, twelve days into the 24-day campaign.
• The first ($25k) stretch reward was achieved on 02/06/12.
• The second ($30k) stretch reward was achieved on 02/07/12.

Stretch Reward(s)

The first stretch reward was detailed 01/25/12 by TMG's Michael Mindes in Kickstarter Update #8. It will be additional pieces in new colors to support 3 or 4 players, for all backers pledging $15 or more. This $25k reward was achieved on 02/06/12.

The second stretch reward is a fantastic carrying travel bag designed specifically for your "For The Win!" game. This $30k reward was achieved on 02/07/12.

Key information:

• These rewards will be offered to backers who pledge $15 or more, regardless of reward level.
• No change of pledge levels is necessary. Backers at either the $5 or $10 "Pay What You Want" levels CAN BE eligible, if they choose to manage their pledge and raise the amount to or above $15.
• If the "Pay What You Want" backers choose not to raise their pledges, they will simply receive the base 2 player game at a 60-80% discount.