Spy Wars

Presented by CheapAss Games and Liam Routt

A convention-wide special event about spies
and Totally Renamed games about them!

Cheapass Games has recently published The Totally Renamed Spy Game, an updated, all-singing and dancing rework of an older game with a legally unsustainable name. In order to celebrate this rerelease, and the happy coincidence of the convention's theme this year, they are spreading the love to everyone attending Arcanacon, in the form of this completely voluntary convention-wide game event.

Somewhere in the materials you got when you collected your badge are three illustrated cards: one "Spy", and two "henchmen" (actually toughs from the David Dorman illustrated Wasted Lands set). These cards are part of one of the fastest, simplest, and cheapest Cheapass Games (and that is saying something): PunchCards!

How to Play

Each PunchCard has a unique set of numbers printed on the back, and four holes punched through the card. When two players engage in battle, each player selects one of their cards to use, and displays it for their opponent to see. Then each player secretly choses one corner of his or her card. The players simultaneously hold the cards back-to-back, so that the corners they chose line up, and look at the numbers through the holes.

Together, the players call either "High," Low," or "Both." If one player says "High" and the other player says "Low," you must play again. Otherwise, either the highest or the lowest visible number wins (depending upon which was called). If both players said "Both" the game always counts, but you must win both the high and low numbers. In the case of a tie, look at the next numbers, and so on, until one player or the other runs out of numbers.

The winner keeps the loser's card, on which the loser must write their name and badge number.

In order to win, you want to collect as many unique badge numbers as you can. Any wins against the same person, after the first, are only going to help give you more cards to play with. And if there are two or more people with the same number of badge numbers collected at the end of the day, the one with the most total cards will win.

Extra Cards

If you run low on cards, or if you just want to have a few extra on hand, visit the Cheapass Demo table and ask Liam for some spares. Everyone is entitled to at least two more cards (if they are going to participate in the game). Once the game has been completed Liam will be happy to give out spares to anyone who wants one.

When? And Who?

The Spy War is only running on Saturday. You must report to the Cheapass Demo table before 4pm on Saturday to report your score, otherwise it won't count at all!

You can ask anyone whether they want to play PunchCards with you. However, it is best if you indicate on your badge, or in some other way, that you are interested in playing (perhaps a big clear "P" on your badge). Don't bother anyone who is busy with something else, or who says they do not want to play! And make sure to put your name and badge number on the cards you were given! (If you want to use the cards you win to play with, that is okay too, and you should leave the name and badge number of their orignal owner on them).

Prizes!

The winner will walk away with a copy of the all-new version of the Totally Renamed Spy Game. It is possible that there will be more Cheapass goodies to hand out as well! And of course there will be a large number of rather cool PunchCards floating around!

Most of all, have fun with the Spy War! And remember to check out Cheapass Games at the convention, online, and at Mind Games!