Let’s see how each of these is accomplished in Red Flag Over Paris’ Solo Opponent.įirst, only one decision is changed in the Solitaire version of the game. The solo system for a COIN Series game would be a poor fit for a lunchtime game! Finally, the solo system should be the same (or lower) complexity than the game it accompanies.The system should not require the player to make ‘judgement calls’ this is not the same thing as building in player decisions, where the system explicitly tells a player to choose, but refers to rules like “when in doubt, do what seems best.”.The solo system’s turn should take the same amount of time (or less) as a regular player’s turn.Even if they have to be dragged in kicking and screaming, right Fred? It also means that we always work with the designer when we design these systems. This ensures that the designer’s chosen narrative shines through in both the multiplayer and solitaire games.

This doesn’t mean that it can’t have additional layers, or changes, but the game should be recognizably the same game if possible.

As much as possible, the player should make the same decisions in the Solitaire game as in a multiplayer game.

So how does the Solo Opponent work? First, let’s review a few self-imposed design constraints that we use at GMT One to make sure that we deliver a fun, playable solitaire system: These small asymmetries were enough to create Solo Opponents that highlighted each faction’s strategy, allowing them to serve as training grounds for a 2-player game and deliver the overarching narrative for each faction. Meanwhile, the Versailles player has an advantage in Fort spaces and Institutional spaces and while they initially have less forces available, they are more robust in the long-term and will win a war of attrition. The Commune player has an advantage in Paris spaces and Public Opinion spaces and initially has a large number of forces available to them. The key to Red Flag Over Paris’ Solo Opponent is the asymmetry inherent in the game itself.

How does it manage this with so little complexity? The end result is easy to run and takes no more time than a typical player turn, but creates a satisfying narrative and provides a credible opponent.

Of course, that’s what GMT One is all about, so I agreed. The developer for Red Flag Over Paris, Luke Billingsley, approached me with a bare bones solo bot (which we call the Solo Opponent) and asked if I would be interested in helping polish it for inclusion in the game.

Red flags card game print