The Game
The game comes with a huge list of regular expression patterns stored in a thick paper manual, and you each take it turns with an eggtimer to see how fast you can solve it. Start at the beginning of the manual, and cross out the question when it's done so you know not to do it again. This also means we can sell extension sets when the players have finished the game.
Artwork
I've found a good picture we can use on the front cover of the box which reflects the objectives of the game, to have fun and learn about regular expressions.
Alt text http://www.hiuniversalorlando.com/Home-HappyFamily.jpg
Difficulty Levels
One person at a time. The patterns would be in two categories, 'Hard' and 'Dry'.
The Winner
First to 25 wins
Special Cards
While you are waiting for your opponents to solve their puzzle, you can play special cards, like the 'alert to moderator' card which means you are allowed to wave a small red flag for 10 seconds. The flag will be made from a stick and a piece of flag.
You could also play the 'post a comment' card which lets you talk to other people who have also played this card on this particular turn as you are waiting for your turn. You must speak softly as to not disrupt the thought process of the player whos turn it is. If you do not have a post a comment card, you must sit in silence.
Free Gift
All with the quiet background Tracy Chapman soundtrack which comes complementary with each purchased set. Each card will have a photo of Tracy Chapman on it, I've negotiated this term in return for the Tracy Chapman distribution rights.
I've also had a chat with Greggs the bakers and they say we can put a 5% discount token in the box if we would like. The voucher will have a photo of a baker on it baking bread and maybe a slogan like "Get 5% discount on your bread".
Extensions
More manuals filled with more exciting regular expression patterns. Perhaps different categories as well, like a boolean logic game with lots of logic statements to prove if they are true or false.
Maybe a party set where you can have lots of people playing in teams and the set comes with three coloured hats in it for each team captain to wear. Red, blue and green would be nice.
A create-your-own-regular expression extension set, where you are given a list of problems, like "validate email addresses according to the RFC 822 grammar". Players attempt to write the regular expression and the other players analyse it and award points based on speculation.
Conclusion
The game would definitely be fun as it would end up with everyone having fun listening to Tracy Chapman, commenting to each other and learning about regular expression patterns.
