Streets and Sidewalks

StreetsAndSidewalksStreets & Sidewalks is a tile-laying game for two players. Take turns placing hexagonal tiles while trying to complete loops of your style line, either a street or a sidewalk. At the same time, you must prevent your opponent from doing the same. Score points for each tile in your completed loops, and the player with the most points after the last tile is placed wins.

Over the course of development, I tried 11 different tile sets in order to tune the game so that it plays in about 15 minutes. I altered the number of each tile as well as their layouts. I also changed the number of tiles in your hand from 1 to 5 to find the sweet spot between giving enough options while preventing analysis paralysis. I also eliminated tiles that resulted in “cramped” boards where there are more possible loops to consider on your turn. That change in particular helped me reach my target time goal.

In the end I designed a game that is easy enough for children to play casually, but with enough depth for harder core gamers to enjoy as a competitive, head-to-head game.

Full rules are available.

An early playtest. I later eliminated tiles with only one color, because the boards became too sprawling, and it was easy for disruptive players to may a tiny loop and then simply block their opponent the rest of the game.
An early playtest. I later eliminated tiles with only one color, because the boards became too sprawling, and it was easy for disruptive players to may a tiny loop and then simply block their opponent the rest of the game.
An example board with the final prototype. I started with having 1 tile in your hand at a time, but players didn't have enough options. Eventually I settled on 5 in your hand, but they were unwieldy to hold, so I added a shield so you can keep tiles hidden. Then I put the master tile list on the shield so you can look to see if a piece you need exists and if it has been played yet. That mitigates some of the veteran player advantage.
An example board with the final prototype. I started with having 1 tile in your hand at a time, but players didn’t have enough options. Eventually I settled on 5 in your hand, but they were unwieldy to hold, so I added a shield so you can keep tiles hidden. Then I put the master tile list on the shield so you can look to see if a piece you need exists and if it has been played yet. That mitigates some of the veteran player advantage.