The original prototype of this game began under the name of "Quads" but was soon changed to "Quadrovex" after I found several other games already using the name Quads. Before final production was complete the game earned its third, and final, name: Quartile.
The first prototype was built from wood. I took a 2x2 and used a miter saw to cut it into little tiles. I then used a sharpie to mark up those tiles and test the game out. After getting the design down the way I liked it I moved on to marble. Yes, I said marble.
Using marble tile from a tile store I was able to create some very beautiful prototypes to show around to publishers. Several publishers were interested in the game but only Simply Fun offered me a good deal. Before signing with Simply Fun I had already built 50 stone prototype sets, each with its own wooden box.Why am I telling all of you this? Well aside from the fact that I would love for you to buy this game I am also offering up a contest of sorts.
If you would like to win one of my stone prototypes you can do one of the following:
- Option one: Purchase a copy from me. Doing this will put your name in a drawing.
- Option two: Blog about this new game (using this article as the article you link to and "Quartile" as the anchor text) and tell the world about it.
The contest will end on September 15, 2007 so you have plenty of time.
I only have a few marble copies left and once they are gone no more will ever be made. I sold some of the stone copies for $60, you can win one for free.
- There are a few differences between the two versions:
- Original had only 36 tiles
- Original comes in felt-bottomed box
- Marbles tiles are all felt-backed
- Boxes are signed and numbered
How to Play
There is a short flash video on the Simply Fun website that tells you how to play the game but I will give you the brief version here:
- Mix up all 49 tiles into a facedown area called the quarry.
- Every player takes four tiles.
- Lay a random tile face down in the middle of the play area. This tile is "wild" on all sides and no one should know which tile it is.
- Each player "bids" their lowest number tile. Winner picks who goes first. It is not always best to go first.
- On your turn place a tile so that if it touches any existing tiles the outside numbers add up to the central number of the tile you are placing.
- For everyside that matches (adds) up you score X points where X = (central number x matching sides).
- At no time can you play a tile if all sides do not add up when touching other tiles. Thus if any sides touch other tiles they HAVE to add up correctly.
- After you play a tile draw a tile from the quarry. If no tiles are in the quarry just play until all tiles are played.
This game is great for teaching basic math skills as well as spatial thinking and planning ahead skills. I know you will enjoy it just as much as I do.
Grim from grimjesta.com was one of my early testers. Check out his Quartile story here.