CultOfAtomicRat

The Cult of the Atomic Rat: Game Rules

Objective: The goal of the game is to decipher the language created by the phrase maker using symbols, while exploring and creating a shared narrative.

Setup:

1. Players: Two players – One will create the phrase (Phrase Creator), and the other will guess the meaning (Guessing Player).
2. Decks:
   • Symbol Cards: Cards with various symbols (Concepts, Actions, Descriptors, Objects).
   • Prompt Cards: A set of cards with thematic storytelling prompts.
   • Reference Sheet: A chart with basic forms of each symbol and its vague description.

Gameplay:

1. Role Selection:
   • Players decide who will be the Phrase Creator and who will be the Guessing Player.
2. Draw a Prompt Card:
   • The Phrase Creator draws a Prompt Card. The card contains a story prompt to inspire the phrase they will create.
3. Creating the Phrase:
   • The Phrase Creator selects Symbol Cards from their hand that best match the prompt and lay them down in a sequence.
   • The selected symbols should be linked together to form a structured phrase, representing the meaning tied to the prompt.
4. Guessing the Phrase:
   • The Guessing Player looks at the laid-out Symbol Cards and uses the Reference Sheet to try and decipher the meaning of the phrase.
   • The Guessing Player will lock in a guess by verbally stating what they think the phrase means.
5. Partial Success Confirmation:
   • The Phrase Creator tells the Guessing Player if they are partially right. The Phrase Creator may not specify where the Guessing Player is right—only that part of the guess is correct.
6. Limited Guesses:
   • The Guessing Player has three guesses to decipher the full meaning of the phrase. After three guesses:
     • If the phrase is not fully deciphered, the Phrase Creator reveals the correct meaning.
     • The round ends, and a new round begins with the players switching roles.

Winning Conditions:

• The game is focused on the experience of deciphering and creating the language, so there are no formal win/loss conditions. The game continues until the players decide to stop, or when they’ve created and deciphered a set number of phrases.

End of Round:

• After each round, players can reflect on their guesses and creations. The Phrase Creator and Guessing Player can discuss their process and learn more about the evolving language.