Game: Leaping Lemmings

Thread: Re: What if... GMT really took its production to the next level?

ralpher — 2008-10-31T18:30:06+00:00

Taking a look at other animeeple, including spiatt's, they could definitely stack. Really, it's a no-brainer, make animeeples and the orders will come flying. Even spiatt's first run of animeeple sold out everywhere.

Thread: Re: Lemming mass suicide is a myth by the way

Wolfshade — 2008-08-06T09:21:58+00:00

Great, so now we can make a Myth into board game reality!
I do wish those pre-orders would get higher ;p

Thread: Re: Lemming mass suicide is a myth by the way

Chad Jensen — 2008-07-24T17:02:19+00:00

Great; next you're going to tell us Santa Claus isn't real. My world view is shattered....

Thread: Re: Lemming mass suicide is a myth by the way

Verkisto — 2008-07-24T13:44:27+00:00

Well, shit, I guess I should take this off my preorder list, then.

Thread: Re: Lemming mass suicide is a myth by the way

Rick Young — 2008-07-24T11:30:33+00:00

Here's the Theme, from the rules:

Leaping Lemmings is a game for 2-6 players. Players represent genetic scientists working in a research lab 18.15 miles from Waterloo, Montana. By being creative with your accounting, you have been able to set aside millions from your massive federal grant to settle a $25.00 bet.

The scientist that can genetically engineer and clone a group of lemmings that will most consistently win a race that culminates with the lemmings hurling themselves over a cliff, in violation of natural law but in keeping with the urban myth, wins the bet.

Your lemmings have been genetically programmed and trained not just to dive off the cliff, but to do so with style. In this race, one lemming diving with style and élan is worth as many as five of the more mundane divers.

An added wrinkle to the race has been the daily appearance of two small adolescent eagles (called Stephan Jr. and Ruby by the scientists) that circle above. These hungry raptors have become big fans of the daily buffet, um, race.

Thread: Re: Lemming mass suicide is a myth by the way

Rick Young — 2008-07-24T11:12:04+00:00

Known and already written into the rules.

Thanks though!

Thread: Lemming mass suicide is a myth by the way

heli — 2008-07-24T08:30:40+00:00

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemming#Myths_and_misconception...

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Rick Young — 2008-05-02T13:31:25+00:00

New Playtest Map as of May 2008

Thread: Re: The Rules are now available here on BGG!

Chad Jensen — 2008-04-18T16:33:57+00:00

Then the answer is obvious: create Pantry Burrow and Romance Raid cards. Balance should be juuust right.

Thread: Re: The Rules are now available here on BGG!

Rick Young — 2008-04-18T11:02:56+00:00

The Romance Burrow was deemed underpowered by too many playtesters, so it was axed.

Pantry Raid was also axed, as it was deemed overpowered.

Thread: Re: The Rules are now available here on BGG!

WonderCinz — 2008-04-17T22:26:50+00:00

I put this on P500 a while ago. The rules just confirm my decision to order. They're very clear. The game looks like it will be fun and interesting. Well done!

One question: what happened to the "love burrow"?

-Aaron

Thread: Re: The Rules are now available here on BGG!

Rick Young — 2008-04-17T13:38:13+00:00

Hopefully this post didn't get lost in the somewhat long-term post freeze yesterday.

I'm just adding this message in the hopes that more people will get a chance to see this and download the rules.

I'm proud of the ruleset; it's a quick read and I hope many of you download it from BGG and that it will inspire some additional P500 orders from www.gmtgames.com

Thanks again for supporting my games. BGG Rocks!

Thread: The Rules are now available here on BGG!

Rick Young — 2008-04-16T15:41:05+00:00

307 Orders so far - Thank you for supporting my games!

For those of you that have not yet ordered, it's time for me to hopefully get you to commit by posting the rules, they are available on the BGG Files section of the Leaping Lemmings page.

John Foley is hoping to reformat them to be more similar to the Manoeuvre rulebook, but the rules posted on BGG are otherwise in their near-final form.

The artwork represented in the rules (especially the map) is of playtest quality, so please keep that in mind. The final will be Simonitchized (TM) and will be much cooler.

Please give them a look, I think you'll be happy with what you see, and hopefully will place your order shortly thereafter.

Posting the rules in advanced helped push EE/AE/FAB over the top in preorders, hopefully it will also help LL.

Comments and questions are more than welcome! Please fire away!

Thread: Re: call me immature...

craniac — 2008-03-07T20:05:44+00:00

"Pull my Paw" led me to create a geeklist about flatulent games and to preorder this game as well. Heck, it's only $25 and I can play a Rick Young wargame with my family!

Thread: Re: What if... GMT really took its production to the next le

snoozefest — 2007-12-23T18:56:14+00:00

Yeah, but no ... the tokens have to stack. Unless you could make lemmings that could stand on each other's heads -- that would be pretty cool!

Thread: Re: What if... GMT really took its production to the next le

trawlerman — 2007-12-23T12:45:05+00:00

Nah, I'm about the perfect age to have played a TON of the Lemmings computer game when I was younger. To be honest, that's what generates half of the appeal of LL for me.

Also, for the record, the post above had its tongue firmly planted in its cheek. While I wouldn't be opposed to lemming meeples, lemming chits are pretty exciting as well! Come on, ten years ago, did any wargamer ever dream of handling cardboard lemmings?

Thread: Re: What if... GMT really took its production to the next level?

Great Dane — 2007-12-23T09:50:11+00:00

Guess you must be too young to remember the famous Lemmings computer game (Oh No!)

[INLINEIMG]http://www.dr.dk/NR/rdonlyres/C53F4257-65EA-4D80-B829-D08C4D...[/INLINEIMG]

However. GMT is primarily a cardboard counter (war game) publisher, and I think it would dangerous for them to divert too heavily into the more expensive miniature market.

Thread: What if... GMT really took its production to the next level?

trawlerman — 2007-12-23T06:35:40+00:00

I'm talking about....

Leaping Lemeeples!!

Z-Man has announced the inclusion of "animeeples" for Agricola.

Will GMT stay competetive?

(I tried really hard to find a picture of miniature plastic lemmings, but I had no luck. I do hope that someone else can help me out here)

Thread: Re: Damn Fun Game for Euro player and Wargamer Alike

Rick Young — 2007-11-19T14:07:01+00:00

Interesting - I didn't even know LL would be at BGG.con. I hope the playtester that brought it is using the current playtest materials and rules.

Who was hosting the game?

There is certainly luck involved in LL, though I did make an effort to mitigate it by having all players share the same movement card each turn.

There is also a healthy dose of tactics. Between evenly matched players, the luckiest player will probably win. But the most tactically skilled player will win much more than his fair share of games than what luck alone dictates.

Thread: Re: Damn Fun Game for Euro player and Wargamer Alike

Dieroll Honker — 2007-11-19T12:29:13+00:00

Sorry Chris, we have a definitional problem. I'm a wargamer, so to me any game that isn't a wargame is a Euro. I don't know what a "light American" game is. I realize that my definitions are out of step with most people on BGG. But just so you know, when I said "Euro", I meant "Not a Wargame". I hope the rest of the review describes the game adequately.

Thread: Re: Damn Fun Game for Euro player and Wargamer Alike

CaptainCaveman — 2007-11-18T23:28:28+00:00

I played this today at BGG.CON and I disagree with the characterization that this is a Euro game. I think it is light American fare at its core. Though it plays well for what it is trying to be, it is a chaotic, luck driven race game that felt more like Zombies than any Euro I have played.

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Rick Young — 2007-10-31T20:10:49+00:00

Thread: Re: call me immature...

Rick Young — 2007-10-01T11:23:02+00:00

Here's an examaple of play featuring PULL MY PAW...

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Rick Young — 2007-09-24T22:22:40+00:00

Example of play for Special Action PULL MY PAW...

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Rick Young — 2007-09-11T22:01:17+00:00

Female of the Viking Clan

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Rick Young — 2007-09-11T22:00:48+00:00

Female of the Soldier Clan

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Rick Young — 2007-09-11T22:00:19+00:00

Female of the Ritz Clan

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Rick Young — 2007-09-11T21:59:47+00:00

Female of the I.Q. Clan

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Rick Young — 2007-09-11T21:59:10+00:00

Female of the Hippie Clan

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Rick Young — 2007-09-11T21:58:32+00:00

Female of the Biker Clan

Thread: Re: call me immature...

mentis — 2007-09-08T02:14:06+00:00

Immature!

Thread: Re: call me immature...

Mr.Baggins — 2007-09-07T23:54:36+00:00

I preordered it the day it was announced, but hearing about that card made me want to preorder again.

Thread: Re: call me immature...

baditude — 2007-09-07T20:59:33+00:00

Cheers to that!

Thread: Re: call me immature...

Rick Young — 2007-09-07T19:56:53+00:00

That has been pointed out, and I don't think that will be the final logo.

Although we do have a Special Action in the game called "PULL MY PAW...", which does result in a particularly stenchful flatulant episode for any one designated lemming, which causes all lemmings stacked with the designated lemming to scatter out of its hex (and possibly getting devoured as a result).

All in good fun! Mayhaps the designer is immature as well :-)

Thread: call me immature...

baditude — 2007-09-07T18:59:50+00:00

But to me that game logo makes that lemming look like he's gas-propelled.

Thread: Re: Leaping Lemmings Discussion #2 - The Boo! Special Action...

wwscrispin — 2007-08-31T20:48:14+00:00

It is probably too early to post the rules and that can work against you. In non-wargames the fun may no be evidenced by the rules.

I think session reports and playtest reports might generate the most enthusiasm. If you can show people having fun and having multiple challenging choices each turn that would generate some more talk.

Thread: Re: Leaping Lemmings Discussion #2 - The Boo! Special Action...

Rick Young — 2007-08-31T20:38:02+00:00

it is hard visualize the mechanisms and if it sounds like fun.

I can appreciate that. What do you suggest? I could post the rules, but I'm still tweaking the game's lever's to shorten playtime and increase fun.

The core mechanism's are solid though, and have remained the same for about six months now.

Would posting the rules or posting a sample game turn be most beneficial towards getting those sitting on the fence to place an order?

Thread: Re: Leaping Lemmings Discussion #2 - The Boo! Special Action...

wwscrispin — 2007-08-31T20:17:33+00:00

I preordered this but more than a wargame it is hard visualize the mechanisms and if it sounds like fun.

Thread: Re: Leaping Lemmings Discussion #2 - The Boo! Special Action...

Rick Young — 2007-08-31T20:14:53+00:00

So let's see if I understand this. Everyone shares a common movement card, but has unique special action cards. Yes?

Right - the movement cards are evenly mixed between 2's, 3's, 4's, and 5's. The Eagle Player reveals the card that will be in effect for the current turn after resolving eagle movement & feasting. Then everyone, taking turns, moves one lemming the value of the current card.

There are 16 distinct Special Action cards, some are dealt to each player to start the game, and the remainder can be acquired later by exchanging pellets that have been collected by your clan for them. The ones you hold will be different from the ones everyone else holds.

My interest is growing, though it hasn't hit P500 level quite yet. That may not take long, though.

Thanks for the interest! With some pre-order help from my fellow geeks here it shouldn't take too long. GMT's grognard base is ordering LL at a slow, but steady clip. We're currently sitting at 170 orders.

How long does the game tend to play?

When someone experienced is there to teach the game and keep it moving, the game rarely takes longer than an hour with six players, and is quicker with fewer than six. First-time playtest groups without an experienced player present can take up to two hours the first time they play, but get much faster after that.

Thread: Re: Leaping Lemmings Discussion #2 - The Boo! Special Action...

spartax — 2007-08-31T19:51:15+00:00

So let's see if I understand this. Everyone shares a common movement card, but has unique special action cards. Yes?

My interest is growing, though it hasn't hit P500 level quite yet. That may not take long, though. How long does the game tend to play?

Thread: Leaping Lemmings Discussion #2 - The Boo! Special Action...

Rick Young — 2007-08-31T13:36:50+00:00

The below example (click to enlarge) highlights two ways the the Special Action card Boo! are played in the game. It can also be played to steer an opposing lemming into a hunting eagle's zone, and in other nasty ways as well.

Special Action cards may be played by each player just prior to moving their own lemming in the current turn. The Movement cardrevealed is used by all players in the current turn to move one lemming, first the eagle player, then proceeding clockwise. After everyone has moved, the eagle dice are passed to the next player clockwise.

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Rick Young — 2007-08-31T11:15:08+00:00

Example of Play - Special Action Boo!

Thread: Re: First impressions and first couple games.

johnfoley79 — 2007-08-20T16:54:52+00:00

Michael, any further sessions to report?

John

Thread: Re: Mounted Boards announced for Leaping Lemmings

Chad Jensen — 2007-08-15T16:31:02+00:00

Belisarius88 wrote:
Also Chad, my 7 year old is fascinated by spiders (he has a tarantula) and loves your avatar!
Tell him "thank you" for me, Michael. My avatar is one of the prototype pieces from an (unpublished) Euro-ish design of mine called Dominant Species.

Thread: Re: Mounted Boards announced for Leaping Lemmings

Belisarius88 — 2007-08-15T04:20:36+00:00

Yep, I preordered this and your FAB Bulge game. FAB Bulge was due to hearing you speak about it at Point to Point podcast. Leaping Lemmings was a chance based on the GMT brand. I'm hoping I can play it with the kids. The mounted board is a plus that should help it take a bit of abuse.

Also Chad, my 7 year old is fascinated by spiders (he has a tarantula) and loves your avatar!

Thread: Re: Mounted Boards announced for Leaping Lemmings

Chad Jensen — 2007-08-07T23:19:41+00:00

Woot!

Thread: Mounted Boards announced for Leaping Lemmings

Rick Young — 2007-08-07T17:46:20+00:00

Tony Curtis of GMT Games, who is in charge of their production let me know at the WBC convention this past week that Leaping Lemmings would have the same quality board and counter thickness that was used for GMT's Winds of Plunder game.

This is very exciting news for LL fans.

Please help get this game published and show GMT some support for experimenting more with mounted boards by pre-ordering this game!

Pre-orders can be made using their Project 500 plan at www.gmtgames.com or by calling their toll-free number (800) 523-6111.

As always, thank you for supporting my games. Know that I will be here providing support as needed post-publication, as I have been for Europe Engulfed.

Thread: Re: First impressions and first couple games.

johnfoley79 — 2007-06-19T23:37:34+00:00

We do need distinct "symbols" for the clans. We are very aware of input from our play testers who are and play with others who are color blind. That will be important. And we have some other ideas. Basically, the important thing is to work with the artist.

UPDATE - We have distributed a counter set to our play test teams with simple distinct symbols for the clans. These are NOT intended to express a "production vision" for the counters. They are just intended to make sure our play test team members do not suffer any difficulty.

Thanks to all for the feedback!

Thread: Re: First impressions and first couple games.

KlausKnechtskern — 2007-06-19T20:42:54+00:00

mgringo wrote:
Not a bad idea!

we must add more burden for Mark Simonitch on this one ;-)

Thread: Re: First impressions and first couple games.

mgringo — 2007-06-19T20:38:39+00:00

Not a bad idea!

Thread: Re: First impressions and first couple games.

KlausKnechtskern — 2007-06-19T20:06:27+00:00

Rick Young wrote:
Nice session report Michael.

A few comments.

3) The purple and brown color differentiation problem is a common complaint, and we will fix it in the published version by finding a different color to replace one of them and by having distinct icons for each clan (to aid those who are color-blind).

I'm glad you're having fun, game on!

Rick

As they are clans every clan should have their distinct clan tartan ;-)

Thread: Re: First impressions and first couple games.

Rick Young — 2007-06-18T16:24:20+00:00

but I have to admit I like not knowing when the game will end and 8 is better than 4 for reasons of suspense.

Eight was the right number with the 36 card deck, but it's too many with a 32 card deck. That said, I do think four is too small after a few playings. Look for it to change to six in the 0.3.6 rule set (you can play that way now).

0.3.5 is the current rule set, so you are very slightly behind the curve with 0.3.4a.

Thanks for the encouraging words. I know I'm having a blast playing it, it's good to hear that others are too.

Thread: Re: First impressions and first couple games.

mgringo — 2007-06-18T13:49:24+00:00

John:

3_4a.

I am really liking this, by the way. It seems already very far along. You guys have definitely been busy.

Thread: Re: First impressions and first couple games.

johnfoley79 — 2007-06-18T13:17:27+00:00

Michael,

My rules must be wrong. It says 36 cards and to shuffle the time trigger in with 8 and put the 9 at the bottom. We will try it this way, but I have to admit I like not knowing when the game will end and 8 is better than 4 for reasons of suspense.

Let me know what version of the rules you're using and I'll double check what I posted on the download site tonight (cannot read/see during the day).

Thread: Re: First impressions and first couple games.

mgringo — 2007-06-16T23:55:46+00:00

Rick Young wrote:
Nice session report Michael.

A few comments.

1) Pellets get replaced everytime one or more "hover" results get rolled, not when a lemming gets placed in the Eagle Chow box.

Hey, thanks! I almost messed up again.

Rick Young wrote:

2) The time trigger card gets shuffled into the bottom four cards, not eight, and you should have trimmmed the movement deck down to 32 movement cards by having eight each of the 5, 4, 3, 2 movement cards.

My rules must be wrong. It says 36 cards and to shuffle the time trigger in with 8 and put the 9 at the bottom. We will try it this way, but I have to admit I like not knowing when the game will end and 8 is better than 4 for reasons of suspense.

Rick Young wrote:

3) The purple and brown color differentiation problem is a common complaint, and we will fix it in the published version by finding a different color to replace one of them and by having distinct icons for each clan (to aid those who are color-blind).

I can see the purple and brown fine. My problem is that the red sometimes looks brown. Might I suggest white and black as alternatives. In any case, I don't even care about this. I'm taking yellow! LOL!

Rick Young wrote:

I'm glad you're having fun, game on!

Rick

Hey, it's a real pleasure. Thanks for sharing!

By the way, I'm really digging the way you play both sides (lemmings and eagles - it is especially cool to play with the timing of the eagle turn).

Warmest regards,

Michael

Thread: Re: First impressions and first couple games.

Rick Young — 2007-06-16T23:32:01+00:00

Nice session report Michael.

A few comments.

1) Pellets get replaced everytime one or more "hover" results get rolled, not when a lemming gets placed in the Eagle Chow box.

2) The time trigger card gets shuffled into the bottom four cards, not eight, and you should have trimmmed the movement deck down to 32 movement cards by having eight each of the 5, 4, 3, 2 movement cards.

3) The purple and brown color differentiation problem is a common complaint, and we will fix it in the published version by finding a different color to replace one of them and by having distinct icons for each clan (to aid those who are color-blind).

I'm glad you're having fun, game on!

Rick

Thread: First impressions and first couple games.

mgringo — 2007-06-16T21:11:16+00:00

Greetings!

I was lucky enough to join the Leaping Lemmings playtest team. This week I printed out the board, cards, and lemming counters and looked over the rules. This morning we played a couple games. I played with my wife Denise and my youngest son Kyle who is 12. My wife's first reaction was pretty negative - you mean I have to touch this rat? - but we really liked the game, even though I made a couple basic mistakes. For example, I didn't remember to replace pellet counters when a lemming gets eaten, so the board got pretty empty. Oh well.

In the first game, I attempted to play cautiously. I took every opportunity to duck into the brush and went cautiously forth. One of the only times I proceeded with a little daring, my lovely wife played the "It's Mine" card and attempted to have the eagle snack on my lemming (it would have been my turn without the card play). She rolled a 3 though and the eagle actually grabbed her lemming instead (it was the only one in that hunting area!) I took out three more of her lemmings and she got one from Kyle and one from Me (mine was a heroic sacrifice and scored me 1 VP). She played a lot more daring and lost more lemmings, but picked up many more tokens from the board. My son played ultra-cautiously until he got to the blue side and then just before the cliff risked going to the edge and hanging out waiting for a great leap card. He ended up getting just a 3 point jump. My wife scored a 5 point jump early on and I had a 4 pointer. She probably would have won the game, but Kyle played the rock slide card and she scored only 1 point with her last lemming. The score was 15 (k), 13 (m), & 11 (d).

The second game was a lot tighter and more aggressive. We scattered a lot more lemmings and I was saved once only by playing my burrow card before Denise sent the Eagle around. She won the game by skittering to just next to the edge (one space before the edge - and yes I did have the rock slide card) and jumping for 4 VP. I forget the exact score, but I know she had 16 points, whereas Kyle and I had 12 or 13. Again, our scores are likely lower because I didn't remember to replace the pellets after the Eagles munched the lemmings. It was a consistent error though, so it didn't really affect game balance.

I liked the game a lot. I know a lot of you likely think I am only a grognard, but the truth is I play a lot of different kinds of games. I see this game as a pretty light game with a fun theme. It plays quickly with no downtime at all. You do need some strategy, but there is no decision you can make that will cause you to not have a chance to win. The special actions are the best part of the game, and I can see that the game will only get better as we learn when it is best to use each. I used 3 in the first game and 3 in the second game. Some I was saving and some I didn't really have a chance to use. On a couple occasions I could have used eagle eyes to knock out another one of her lemmings, but I didn't realize she was winning in the second game and in the first game my eagles had already plagued her so I backed off - I am pragmatic and like a soft bed. Besides ever since that Bobbitt episode...

Anyway, I have already P500ed the game and I'm going to be happy to get mine! (My play test copy is really nice though - Denise commented that she really liked the board!)

Lemme see what else?

1. I have trouble distinguishing between the red and brown. I know that the GMT counters are going to be beautiful and it won't be a problem, but maybe I'll make some white lemmings and pull the reds out.

2. Not criticism here, but maybe an idea for the pellets that would appeal more to the euro crowd is to have a mix of different tokens on them (instead of numbers) and you score VPs with different combinations. You could play them face-up then. They could all count as "favors", but having different types of combinations would be another form of strategy. If you had five symbols, for example, 1 of each kind might score 3 for 3 different types, 5 for 4 different types, and 7 for 5 different types. 3 of a kind might score 3, 4 of a kind "5", and 5 of a kind "7". Just an idea to make it more appealing to cube lovers. Think Ra with Rats.

3. I think I would take about 6 random cards out before you take the eight out to make the bottom of the pile, so the game plays just a little faster with three players. Two shorter games would be better than 1 longer game. The game with 3 players (first game) took 1 hour and 15 minutes. 2nd game took an hour. Kyle and I play quickly. Denise likes to analyze every move. I think that would be pretty typical though.

4. Oh, one thing I just remembered... the Start Area is a little small even for three players.

In any case, I thank you for the opportunity. We had a great time and will play again tonight (this time properly - well, more properly anyway).

Thread: Re: Damn Fun Game for Euro player and Wargamer Alike

Shad — 2007-06-14T12:59:27+00:00

Thread: Re: Damn Fun Game for Euro player and Wargamer Alike

Rick Young — 2007-06-14T09:58:00+00:00

Thank you Andrew; we have effected the change

Thread: Re: Damn Fun Game for Euro player and Wargamer Alike

Shad — 2007-06-14T09:33:44+00:00

Rick Young wrote:

HEROIC RETURN - The Special Action Player takes one of his lemmings from the eagle chow box and places it on any non-sanctuary brush hex in the blue eagle’s hunting circle. This lemming has affected an amazing escape from the eagle. The lemming may not arrive overstacked and covers any lemmings already in that hex.

My intent is not to be an ass - I am only making this post because you mentioned this text was verbatim from the card, this game is still in development so (probably) there is time to correct a mistake, and because I'm a linguaphile and the mistake above is *extremely* common.

Affect, when used as a verb, has the following definitions:
- to act on; produce an effect or change in: Cold weather affected the crops.
- to impress the mind or move the feelings of: The music affected him deeply.
- (of pain, disease, etc.) to attack or lay hold of.

the correct word choice here is Effect, which when used as a verb, has the following definition:
-to produce as an effect; bring about; accomplish; make happen: The new machines finally effected the transition to computerized accounting last spring.

Definitions courtesy of dictionary.com