The Throne of Rome Formal Game Elements Analysis

1. Which game did your group design?

The Throne of Rome
Objective
2. Summarize the main objective of the game.
The goal of The Throne of Rome is to get more points than the other
players by conquering territory and temples.
3. Which general type of objectives does this game include (race,
alignment, exploration, etc.)
Exploration and construction
Player Interaction
4. Which player interaction(s) are included in the game?
Multilateral competition
5. Describe the interactions between the players of the game.
The players are directly competing to control more territories and
temples, and ultimately to gain the highest number of points. Players
compete to win territories and take over territories from each other.
Rules & Procedures
6. What is the difference between a rule and a procedure?
A rule clearly states expectations and forbids certain actions, while
procedures are guidelines for playing the game. If a rule is not
followed, its considered to be cheating, but if a procedure is not
followed, the game is being played incorrectly.
7. Summarize the starting action procedures of the game.
Players roll a die to determine the player order, and then the first
player chooses what action to take for their first turn.
8. Summarize the progression of action procedures.
a. Conquer Unoccupied Province:
i. To conquer a province, a player declares
their intention to conquer. Then, roll both dice. If the sum
of the two dice is greater or equal to 8, the invasion is a
success.
ii. If the sum of the dice is less than 8, the
invasion is a failure, and the player loses one mobile unit.
b. Conquer Occupied Province:

i. To conquer a province controlled by

another player, both players add the number of stationary
units in their home territory (displayed on the game board)
to five times the number of mobile units in their home
territory. Whoever has the largest total number of soldiers
wins the conflict. If there is a tie, players each roll a die;
whoever rolls the highest number wins.
1. If the opposing player wins,
they must skip their next turn, and the defending
player sacrifices one unit.
2. If the defending player wins,
the opposing player sacrifices one unit.
c. Conquer Unoccupied Temple:
i. To conquer a temple, a player moves one
unit into the temple area. The player rolls both dice. If the
sum of the two dice is greater than or equal to 10, the
endeavor is successful. If the sum of the dice is less than
10, the player sacrifices the mobile unit in the temple zone.
d. Conquer Occupied Temple:
i. To conquer a temple occupied by another
player, both players roll two dice. The player that rolls the
highest total number wins the conflict and moves a mobile
unit into the temple zone.
e. Move Mobile Unit:
i. A mobile unit can only move into a
province adjacent to its starting position. If the player
controls the adjacent territory AND has a mobile unit
already stationed there, they may skip over that territory
when moving a mobile unit and move the unit to a territory
adjacent to that one. Mobile units cannot travel through a
province unless the player that controls the unit also
controls the province being moved through.
f. Pass
i. When a player passes, they do not take
an action that round.
9. Summarize any special action procedures.
When a player conquers a territory, either occupied or unoccupied,
they gain 2 additional mobile units. They must also place one of their
flags in the newly acquired territory. If they win a conflict with another
player, they cannot conquer their next turn.

10.
Summarize the resolving action procedures.
The game ends after 25 rounds have been played, or after one player
has conquered all territories. Players then count up the number of
points they have amassed and declare a winner.
11.

List any explicit rules from the game.

a. When players conquer a territory, they skip combat
their next turn.
b. Players must use flags to designate conquered areas.
c. Mobile units represent 5 stationary units.

Game Resources
12.
What are the game resources that are used in the game?
For each resource that you list, please express how it is scarce and how
it has utility.
a. Mobile units are scarce because it is difficult to gain
more of them but are useful because they can add to players
point totals and decide who wins a confrontation.
b. Territories and temples have utility because they
contribute to the number of points each player has at the end of
the game, but are scarce because it is difficult to conquer them
Game Mechanics
13.
Which game mechanics are incorporated in the game? List
each and describe how they impact the game.
Turn-based strategy and action points limit the number of actions
each player can take. This makes it necessary to set goals and
prioritize. The mechanic of capturing is used because the goal of the
game is to conquer territories to win, and role-playing is a part of the
game because each player represents one historical leader.
Conflict
14.
Which type of conflict is included in the game (Obstacle,
Dilemma, Opponent)? Describe how the conflict occurs and how it
impacts the game.
Opponent conflict is prevalent because if a player does not strategize
based on other players movements, they will be unable to win since
the other players movements affect them. Dilemma conflict is also
present because a player has to decide whether to attack, defend,
move, and how to gain points.
Boundaries

15.
What are the game boundaries?
The boundaries of the game are the limits of the Roman Empire and
some surrounding areas, and there are boundaries between territories
as well.
16.
What separates the game from real life?
The game is separate from real life in that the decision to attack
someone does not literally mean attack them, and the act of
conquering does not actually affect whether Rome conquered an area
or not. The decisions that a player makes are relevant only to the
game.
Outcomes
17.
How does the game end? Is there a winner? Describe the
outcome and how it is determined.
The game ends with a player either conquering all the territory or after
20 rounds of play. The winner is the person with the most points, which are
obtained through territories, temples, and soldiers.
Probability
18.
What type of randomization tools are used in the game?
How do they function to make the game work and ensure replay ability
of the game (Dice, Spinners, Cards, Coins, etc.)?
Dice are used to randomize the conquering of unoccupied
territory and ties between players forces, as well as the play order.