move number but no turn counter is mildly frustrating

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FrankJones
Posts: 2451
Joined: 30 June 2024, 00:24

move number but no turn counter is mildly frustrating

Post by FrankJones »

Greetings,

In many games, the players alternate turns, and it would be useful to know which turn number we are on. Scythe And Splendor, for example.

I am wondering if anyone has any idea why no games seem to have this feature?

The move number is irrelevant to anything except for reporting bugs; it has no actual correlation to what has happened in the game. In Terraforming Mars, or Aquatica, for example, one action or turn might result in a lengthy series of "moves" showing in the game log.
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Kayvon
Posts: 1060
Joined: 17 October 2011, 01:39

Re: move number but no turn counter is mildly frustrating

Post by Kayvon »

From a developmental standpoint, it's not worth the time and effort to add this. I would need to track it, figure out what counts as a turn vs. merely changing who is making a decision, then decide how to display it an where it would go. Given that it's not in high demand, I've never bothered.

I do often include the ROUND number, for what that's worth. It's added to the log (e.g., "Beginning Round 3").
FrankJones
Posts: 2451
Joined: 30 June 2024, 00:24

Re: move number but no turn counter is mildly frustrating

Post by FrankJones »

Kayvon wrote: 16 May 2025, 03:17 From a developmental standpoint, it's not worth the time and effort to add this. I would need to track it, figure out what counts as a turn vs. merely changing who is making a decision, then decide how to display it an where it would go. Given that it's not in high demand, I've never bothered.

I do often include the ROUND number, for what that's worth. It's added to the log (e.g., "Beginning Round 3").
I hear what you're saying. I can see how it would be a low return on investment for some games.

But for other games, it would be almost trivially easy.

In Aquatica, a turn is clearly defined: Each and every turn, a player plays one card main action character card from his or her hand. In Splendor, drawing tokens, reserving a card, or buying a card counts as a turn.

And in Splendor, is says the number of turns at the end of the game in the end-game stats box, so it IS counting. If it's counting them anyway, I would think it would be minimal work to display the counter in-game.
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Kayvon
Posts: 1060
Joined: 17 October 2011, 01:39

Re: move number but no turn counter is mildly frustrating

Post by Kayvon »

FrankJones wrote: 16 May 2025, 05:34 But for other games, it would be almost trivially easy.
Well, BGA games are generally maintained by volunteers and open for anyone to work on. If you're interested, sign up on BGA Studio for free and add it to the games you're interested in.
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