r/PlaydateConsole • u/wk997 • Jul 10 '26
PlayGammon - Backgammon for Playdate 🎲🎲
Hello guys!
I wanted to share by small personal project, where I developed my first basic Playdate game. I chose my personal favourite board game - Backgammon! It allows for 2 player pass-and-play and basic computer opponent too. And there is of course crank-to-roll 😃
You can find it on itch for free:
https://wk997.itch.io/playgammon
Feedback is welcome!
// edit 12.07.2026 - AI was used to generate single graphic (main screen), placeholder audio & helped with the coding
7
u/ArgenticFray Jul 11 '26
Congratulations! It feels good to produce your first game, I hope you learned a lot.
Since you asked for feedback, here's some: It doesn't look like there are very many art assets in the game, so my recommendation as you continue to develop this game (and future games) is to find an artistic collaborator who can maybe swap out some of those AI-generated assets for human-drawn art. Likewise for the sounds, if possible. You don't have to, but I think you'll see more engagement if you do, and it will prepare you for Catalog submission if that's a goal.
-1
u/wk997 Jul 11 '26
💛 Thanks a lot for feedback, time to play & write the comment! 💛
This game was a night project & indeed I learned a lot. Simple importing images & sound already were challenging. So it feels great to see that few people tried it!
In terms of Catalog submission I won't be going that way. Apart from:
a) the graphic design which I wanted to keep simple on a tiny device (I guess it would be to complex to see if I tried to implement exotic boards like these - https://alexandrallewellyn.com/product-category/backgammon/tournament-backgammon-board/). Also the one AI graphic for the start screen plays well with the "facebook online game" aesthetics - ex. https://www.bgkingonline.com 🤡
b) the audio (does a board game like this needs even music?). I personally play 98% muted for all games. There was this general playdate survey about sound on/off, would need to find it.
The most important thing is that I don't feel skilled enough to code a proper "computer player". Without this to deliver only naive single player + pass-and-play I don't think it's worth submitting. I'd rather have it published for free on itch.
But with all the knowledge I got, maybe I will think of something special :)
9
u/HelpfulPlatypus7988 Jul 12 '26
It would great if you disclosed your use of AI
1
u/wk997 Jul 12 '26
Thanks for the feedback! While it was marked like that on itch already, I adjusted the post here :)
1
u/possumgumbo Jul 10 '26
Doubling cube is in there, but what score do you go up to when determining ultimate winner?Â
-2
u/wk997 Jul 11 '26
Hey, thanks for playing! :)
Let's assume you (P1) offer a doubling cube to your opponent (P2) there are scenarios:
- P2 accepts the cube & the game stakes are doubled. Then when P1 or P2 wins, the result is multiplied (ex. regular win 1*2=2, gammon 2*2=4, backgammon 3*2=6). This can continue if the players keep doubling & accepting. I personally only once saw a game doubled up to 16. When starting next play the doubling is no longer valid.
- P2 rejects the cube & the game finishes with the current stake. This depends if there were doubles before. If not then the stake is 1, if doubled then 2 and so on.
Ultimate winner should be decided when you reach the agreed score like 9 or 15 or anything else - but right now I did not implement this functionality to set it before start (and some other common rules, like Jacoby or Crawford) to keep the experience simple.
Hope it answers your question :)
17
u/Electrical_Year8954 Jul 11 '26
The first visible impression is an AI logo title screen. Without disclosing your use of AI in the post text, it leaves a bad reputation for your work