Frontline: Mars

[ˈˌfrənt ˈˌlīn}

noun

1. the military line or part of an army that is closest to the enemy

2. the most important or influential position in a debate or movement

Board Games

I like board games, but I love board games that allow a level of customization and also have a level of randomization to keep the game fresh.

I wanted to design a board game that is completely self contained without the need to buy other add-ons as well as having a high amount of replay-ability.

The base concept was a turn based wargame involving robotic armies fighting over territory on Mars after Earth becomes uninhabitable. Based mostly on wargames like “Risk” and “Axis and Allies”.

Board Game Research

Board Games Hits

These games get it right, and here’s why

User Profile

Craig is part of a weekly board game club. He likes the idea of a large wargame like Warhammer but, as a college student, he doesn’t want to spend money on the expensive pieces.

He also likes strategy games like Risk but finds that sometimes they can feel a bit repetitive after a few games.

Ideation

Getting the silhouettes right for the pieces was really important as they would be really small and telling them apart quickly is very important to the game.

Final Piece Designs

Each faction has 4 types of pieces, heavy mechs, medium mechs, and light mechs, as well as soldiers. Heavier mechs cost more, and can carry more weapons and equipment. And soldiers are the only type of unit that can collect taxes from settlements.

Overall

Some of the current residents of Mars think that letting Earthlings onto Mars will lead to a big repeat of Earth, with the planet ending up in ruins. They travel across the Martian deserts destroying Earth refugee camps and commandeering supplies and men from settlements to fight with them.

Mars Prime

A coalition of East Asian countries has made it their priority that their citizens be able to escape a dying Earth. Mars is big, but very few areas are just right for permanent settlements, and most of these areas are already settled. In order for new Citizens of the Coalition to move in, room must be made, with force if necessary.

Imperial Army

The corporation that prides itself on a history of bringing “true” freedom to a failing United States now seeks to expand to Mars. They promise freedom, safety, and an expansive list of rights to the citizens of Mars that agree to their terms and conditions, and pay a reasonable monthly fee.

Liberty Corp.

The Game Board

To avoid feeling repetitive, the board is a series of randomly placed hexagons. Meaning the map is different each time you play. When I was play testing someone bumped the table causing the tiles the separate, so I added a laser cut cardboard edge to keep everything together.

Each tile is based on real landforms found on Mars, except for the Settlements (for now).