Bloodmad is a two player Character based battle board game set in a Gothic horror world. Each player builds a team of three characters, and engages their opponent in a strategic battle to the death. You need to utilize each character's unique set of abilities, as well as manipulate the time system to gain advantages in the fight. More images are available on the game's website Bloodmad.com, and the store page on The Game Crafter.

 

My role on the project was system design, character balance, and playtesting. The game revolves heavily around the design of the characters, and the time system. I designed each character's stats and abilities, aiming to give them interesting strengths, meaningful weaknesses, and a unique role in team building. I also aimed for thematic resonance in character's effects that convey the story and fantasy of the character through mechanics. Statistic driven strategy games are highly complex webs, and intense play testing and iteration was needed to bring the game to a balanced state that offered several strategies to play.

I also created a unique time system based on the clock tiles on the board. Each turn the clock rotates one space. Some spaces are day spaces, and others spaces are night spaces. A character like a paladin may have advantages during the day, while a vampire may be stronger at night. The count down for when players are able to re-use their character's special abilities are also tracked by the clock. Player's not only have to play around what time of day it is and when they get back their abilities, but they can also use their characters to push the clock forward or backward. This adds many layers of strategic depth, as players can suddenly swing the advantage by changing the time of day or manipulating the recharge time on abilities.