The Secret Alien Message társasjáték

Angol leírás

The Secret Alien Message is a unique and engaging board game where players encode and decode hidden messages using binary grids represented by stones on a Go board. Each 3x3 grid, called a "codeword," adheres to a special rule: exactly 5 of the 9 positions in the grid are filled with 1s (black stones), while the remaining 4 are 0s (white stones). This restriction creates a set of 126 unique codewords, making the game both challenging and mathematically intriguing. Players work together or compete to decipher the encoded messages, bringing logic and creativity to the table.

Setup

The game uses a standard Go board, played on squares rather than intersections, forming a 6x6 layout of 3x3 grids. This setup allows for up to 36 characters in a single message. Players also need black and white stones to represent binary values, and a decoder key that maps each 3x3 grid pattern to letters, numbers, or symbols based on ASCII encoding. Before starting, players decide on the message length and whether tiles can be rotated for added complexity. The encoder uses the start (+) and end (x) markers to frame the message.

Pieces
Each codeword is a 3x3 grid filled with exactly 5 1s and 4 0s, creating a distinct visual pattern for each character. The + and x patterns are special non-rotating codewords used as the start and end markers. The remaining 124 codewords can represent letters, numbers, and symbols. These tiles can be placed as is or rotated (90°, 180°, or 270°) to obscure their orientation. The stones make the game tactile and interactive, as players physically arrange and analyze the grids to decode the message.

Rules
The encoder places the 3x3 grids row by row on the board, starting with the + and ending with the x. Grids are either left in their standard orientation or rotated for increased difficulty. The decoder examines each 3x3 grid in turn, matches the pattern to the decoder key, and reconstructs the original message. The rule of exactly 5 1s in each grid ensures clarity and consistency, adding a layer of strategy. Beginners can start with non-rotated grids for an easier experience, while advanced players can challenge themselves with rotated tiles and longer messages, ensuring
accessibility for all skill levels.

The alien language
The alien language uses 120 codewords out of the 126 permutations for its unique alphabet and numbering system. The alphabet consists exclusively of capital letters, with 26 letters, each represented by four distinct codewords to add variety and complexity. Numbers are expressed in base 4, inspired by the structure of DNA, and are also represented by four unique codewords for each digit (0, 1, 2, 3). The remaining four codewords are reserved for punctuation: space, comma, full stop, and apostrophe. Additionally, the language includes a Start/Begin symbol (represented by the + codeword) and an End symbol (represented by the x codeword), marking the boundaries of any encoded message.

—description from the designer