Game Design

We get a lot of input from players suggesting how to make the game better by adding more rules.  We also get input from players saying the rules are already too complicated.  We also hear from people who say too many runs are scored.

Too Many Triples

One example that comes up time and again is the general observation that triples are batted more frequently than they should be.  This is clearly a comparison of Kardball to baseball.

Here is how the 37 possible hits of Kardball are distributed in terms of their potential outcomes for any given hit card.

• Any A: hits 12 different pitches for a single
• Any 2: hits 5 different pitches for a double
• Any 3 or higher: hits 7 different pitches for a triple
• Any of 13 cards: hits 1 pitch for a home run

So right off the bat (heh), you see a lopsided proportion of potential triples.

If the Suit Fits, Wear It

The contrast is even greater when we include the suits in our reasoning.

• 4 aces x 12 different pitches x 4 suits = 192 ways to hit a single
• 4 twos x 5 different pitches x 4 suits = 80 ways to hit a double
• 4 threes x 3 different pitches x 4 suits = 48 ways to hit a triple with a three
• 4 fours x 2 diffferent pitches x 4 suits = 32 ways to hit a triple with a four
• 4 fives x 1 pitch x 4 suits = 16 ways to hit a triple with a five
• 4 sixes x 1 pitch x 4 suits = 16 ways to hit a triple with a six
• 4 sevens x 1 pitch x 3 suits = 12 ways to hit a home run with a seven
• 4 eights, nines, tens, Jacks, Queens, Kings ...

To save you the mental gymnastics, this works out to the following.

• 192 ways to hit a single
• 80 ways to hit a double
• 112 ways to hit a triple
• 84 ways to hit a home run
• 50 ways to leave your lover

As always, we assume the figures don't lie.  The highest frequency hits in decreasing order should theoretically be single, triple, home run, double.

Actual Records

One great thing about Kardball for iPhone is its record-keeping. I can go to my phone right now (and guess what, I just did) and get my stats alongside the computers stats.  Here is how they look.

• Singles: Me = 34, Computer = 42
• Doubles: Me = 23, Computer = 33
• Triples: Me = 50, Computer = 55
• Home Runs: Me = 94, Computer = 64

These stats suggest that Kardball produces more homers and three-baggers than dinky singles or doubles. What do your stats tell us? We're intrigued by the low incidence of singles.  That's what she said.

It's Not Baseball

It's not exactly the same as baseball, but we say it doesn't have to be.  There are enough strikeouts, scoreless innings, and low-scoring games to make it resemble baseball. And who doesn't love a home run rally every once in a while?