Today we have some exciting news….
Here’s the short version: We’ve just launched the kickstarter for Tak.
If that’s enough for you, you can head right over here and check it out.
For the rest of you, a story….
* * *
Long ago, James Ernest and I were working on the Pairs kickstarter, brainstorming new stretch goals we could add to the campaign.
“We could agree to make Tak at some point in the future,” James said. (Note, I’m paraphrasing here.)
I didn’t want to do that.
“How about a stretch goal where if we hit it, the two of us agree to work out the rules?” He asked.
I didn’t want to do that either.
“How about we agree to do a live google chat where we just talk about the game in general?” he said.
And I agreed that fine. FINE. We could do that. We could talk about it. And we did. It was okay.
Later, James told me he wanted to make Tak. He wanted to invent it. He wanted to build the whole thing from the ground up based on my descriptions from the book, and the unwritten stuff he knew I had hidden in my head.
Again, I said no.
“Why not?” he asked.
“Tak is supposed to be my world’s version of Chess or Go or Mancala,” I said. “I can’t ask you to make a game like that. It’s like saying, ‘you know those games that have stood the test of time for hundreds or thousands of years? The best games ever? Do that, but in my world.’ So first off, it’s unreasonable for me to ask. Secondly, you can’t do it. No one can. And thirdly, if you did somehow manage to pull if off, nobody would give a shit. We’re living in the golden age of board games right now. Nobody cares about strategy games like chess anymore.”
(If you haven’t already noticed, I can be a curmudgeonly fucker at times.)
“Just let me try,” James said. “Let me take a run at it. If you hate what I come up with, we’ll never speak of it again.”
So I told him, fine. Fine! Do it. Whatever. Jeez.
So he asked me a bunch of questions. Then he went off and made a game. Then he brought it to me….
Now you should know that I’m telling you this story so that you know where I was coming from on the subject of Tak. Simply said, I wasn’t eager to pursue it. I was the opposite of eager.
And it wasn’t because I don’t like James Ernest. James Ernest is fucking brilliant. I’ve been playing his games for twenty years. I loved Pairs and was delighted to incorporate it into my world….
But I knew that Tak was a purely mythical game. And while James was great, I knew that nobody could just sit down and create a game on par with chess or Go. I was going to politely look at whatever he brought me, smile kindly, and try to let him down as gently as possible.
Then James brought me his game. And I played it.
And it was amazing.
I was stunned by the game. Stunned that anyone could make something like this. It’s more elegant than chess. It’s more enjoyable than Go.
I learned to play it in about five minutes and had a blast. More than a year later, the game is still unfurling for me like a flower, as I understand more and more about the play of it.
It is, in brief, a beautiful game.
* * *
(Is that enough gushing? If so, here’s a link to the kickstarter.)
* * *
For a while now, I’ve been working with James on the production of the game.
If you’ve ever bought anything from our online store, you know I’m obsessively careful about merchandise. I never want to sell you anything I’m not proud of. This is doubly true with Tak. It’s such a lovely game, the last thing I wanted was for it to be some crappy thing made out of pasteboard and plastic.
So we’re using wood pieces, even though it’s harder. And we’re getting everything ethically sourced, because that’s important. And we’re getting as much of the work done here in the US as possible, because while it’s tons cheaper to get things done in China… well… I’m sure I don’t need to explain to you why it’s nice that your friends and neighbors have jobs….
I’m really pleased with what we have here. I’m excited for you guys to play it. I want to show you how it fits into my world.
(Have I mentioned the kickstarter is over here?)
* * *
I’ll be honest with y’all. The first couple days of a kickstarter are really important. If we have a strong start with a bunch of backers, it’s a hundred times easier to run a successful campaign. And here’s the key, the more successful we are, the more raw awesome we’ll be able to pour into the game and the book we’re making.
Did I mention the companion book yet? We’re doing a book, too. It will talk about strategy, delve into the history of Tak, and explain in some detail the difference between courtly Tak and Tak as it’s played among… rougher elements of society.
If the campaign takes off, we’ll be able to add more stuff to the kickstarter, too. More levels. A high-end set with metal pieces and a wooden board. Custom capstone pieces. Maybe alternate boards. Maybe even stone pieces. If we get enough interest, cool things like that will be forthcoming.
With that in mind, if you’re interested in this, please consider jumping on board early. As I’ve said, these first couple days really shape the performance of the kickstarter. Most importantly, if you sign up now, you’ll get our updates when we *do* to roll out some of the new coolness. So if you’re hoping to grab one of the specialty sets, signing up now is the easiest way for you to stay in the loop. That way you’ll be the first to know when they come out.
So… yeah. That’s all. There’s a lot more information on the kickstarter. I’ll let you read it there.
If you have any burning questions that aren’t answered over there. You can ask them in the comments below and we’ll do our best to either find answers for you. Barring that, we will at the very least create some amusing lies to ease the sting of your not-knowing.
And, one final time, the link.
pat
90 Comments
Is Pairs making an appearance in book 3 or will it be in later books in the Temerant universe?
What are the plans for the world championship in Tak? When and where will it be held?
1. That would be telling.
2. I like the way you think.
Really, you just had to say “Tak Kickstarter” and I was there.
Now I’m sorely tempted to write a Tak AI. As if I didn’t have enough things to do already.
Of course, I can teach it to play well. I doubt I can teach it to play beautifully.
You had me at Tak Kickstarter you magnificent bearded wordsmith…
“The first couple days of a Kickstarter are really important.” I don’t know guys, this might be a struggle. http://imgur.com/wOTcYQV
Man, this is awesome! Really really awesome!!!! But unfortunately I live in Brazil and the dollar here is heavy. I’d like to know how much would cost to bring this to Brazil… For now, thanks for creating this awesome game and history.
A potentially silly question!
I live in Australia, and want to get two sets – one for me, and one for a friend so we save on shipping (Because Ouch!)
Am I right in thinking I just add on the pledge amount of $55 (for hers) to my existing pledge and you guys will work it out because you’re clever and awesome?
Or will this lead to unnecessary confusion?
I may have completely overlooked the “add to my pledge” button which I think I’ve seen before; if so, well, now my face will be red.
Also, $105,059. Holy hell, Rothfuss effect.
That should work! The whole thing is going to go through After The Crowd after the campaign, so you can add on to your pledge now and let them know what it’s for later. If you don’t do that, or you forget, or you want something else even cooler, you’ll still be able to buy an extra set when you’re confirming your pledge. There might still be a shipping cost added on once you get another set, though, so be aware of that.
What she said.
Awesome, thanks heaps
Man. I’m tempted to build myself a Tak table like Bredon’s now…
Honestly, the video on Kickstarter doesn’t really show any of the awesomeness of the game. It just shows a bit of footage of people putting pieces down and smiling. We don’t even know what the game is and why we should even back it.
It’d be nice to have an additional video showcasing the rules and gameplay. Show the strategy involved.
Hmmm I’m not sure if it’s okay to draw attention to this, but this a link to the live gameplay Ernest and Rothfuss did at Emerald City Comic Con. It was live broadcasted, and later saved on NYCC’s twitch channel.
https://www.twitch.tv/nycc2/v/59581113
Not at all. This is the perfect thing to share. The only reason I didn’t put it into this initial blog was that it was already getting pretty long.
We’ll be talking about/showing more details about the game as things progress.
@Borring
You can find the rules here:
http://cheapass.com/games/tak
Of course i wouldnt mind a video showing the rules as well, but i think if you just read them you can imagine the possibilities this game offers.
And, as an added bonus, there’s a web app designed by Chaitanya Vadrevu that lets you play Tak online, and try it out for yourself: https://www.playtak.com/
I was just pointing out that the Kickstarter video doesn’t really show how fun the game is. It’s one of those videos that makes you think “They’re just showing people do random stuff while smiling. The game is probably still very early in its development or it just isn’t fun at all.”
I saw the twitch stream where James and Pat played a game whilst explaining the rules. That was very fun to watch. It’s the strategies and movements that make the game so appealing (my opinion). Anyway, I just didn’t think the Kickstarter video did the game justice. But I guess the video had to be brief =\
First Jim Butcher announces the Dresden Files card game Kickstarter. Then Brandon Sanderson tells us the Mistborn: House War board game will be Kickstarting in early May. And now there’s Tak. I’m beginning to think there’s some sort of fantasy author conspiracy against my wallet happening out there, and I don’t know whether to love or hate you guys for it. But if Kevin Hearne suddenly announces an Iron Druid game this week, I might have trouble paying the mortgage. You’re the sinister mastermind behind all of this, aren’t you? There’s nothing but evil behind that beard. I’ve always known it deep down.
I was hoping you’d mention stone pieces! My wife and I are EXTREMELY excited about this one!
Sweet, definitely going to go for the INNKEEPER level. Maybe this will help Brent Weeks decide to make Nine Kings too.
I just read the rules, watched the video and so on and im really looking forward to play this game.
Im pretty sure i cant wait till November so ill find me some pieces now and someone to try it out with :)
Any chance of a set with copper pieces?
Have you thought about asking Felicia Day and Wil Wheaton to do a Tabletop Season 4 ep (are they still in the process of choosing games for S4?) on Tak? That’d be a nice ep if Pat was playing as well…..
You had me at stone pieces… brb visiting Kickstarter.
I had been under the impression that Tak was the game of Go (Baduk) was I wrong?
I’m pretty sure in the book there is a situation described where Kvothe had his stones surrounded and taken off the board. Which is what happens in Go, but not the game you’re kickstarting.
I remember Bredon saying Kvothe got “clever in the corner over here” but nothing about stones being taken off the board. I think James Earnest (the game designer) was very careful to match the game to the book.
Many of us pictured Tak as Go. I for one am happy to have an original, clean abstract game that directly relates to the mythos of KKC (building roads and standing stones).
FWIW, that sounds an awful lot like Rand and Thom playing stones in Wheel of Time.
It’s not a bad impression to have of Tak, but no, I never intended Tak to be the same game as Go….
Well the game your kickstarting has none of the elegance I imagined reading in in book, it looks clunky if anything. I’ve been learning Go for a little less than a year now, and it’s a beautiful game, would fit all the considerations you would have for Tak, plus its ruleset is so simple that it could quite likely exist anywhere. (Both in the Fey and out, both in your world and the real world)
So I’m going to treat this for what I believe it is, which is a giant retcon.
You said you’ve always imagined it to be something else, I don’t believe you. I believe you believe it now that you said it, But I’m confident that if I asked you about it four years ago you wouldn’t come close to the game being kickstarted now as your answer.
Anyway, shouldn’t you do a little less worldbuilding and start finishing that third book instead?
counterpoint…more world-building is awesome, this game looks awesome, and you really gotta relax man. Nobody is forcing you to pay any attention to this. If you don’t like how it looks, go play some Go and forget about it.
Seems like you are basically complaining about the author finding other ways to make a living off his intellectual property. How dare he make a living right!
About the “go work on book three” comment…You will be happy to know there is a whole world of great fantasy books out there to tide you over until it arrives! Life goes on!
Have a wonderful day! :)
The most cutting criticism of a game I can imagine is that “It is not as elegant as go”. Right up there with “dumber than Einstein” or “slower than Bolt”.
Congrats on the Kickstarter Pat!
As a game designer, I was also inspired to design a version of Tak. In this one, the Fae and Mortal planes are superimposed; Fae is on the intersections and Mortal on the squares. The only way pieces could move between them was by erecting graystones.
If I complete it I’ll keep it between me and my friends. Just thought you might be interested to know your book inspired multiple game designers to make a game!
I’d be curious to see that.
Can I sign up to become one of your friends?
Your idea sounds very interesting.
When moving stones do I need to move them in a complete straight line or can they be moved as roads go, connected from end to end with turns in between?
That would also explain the brokers fall where your own hard tower can be crashed in a circle (road) to block multiple flats from connecting in one corner of the field, while you could’ve instead used them to cover distance in a straight line.
When moving a stack of stones, you have to go in a straight line, so you can’t turn corners. Good catch though…
Yeah I just saw it in the video.
You could change the rules for the Capitol tho, as the cap can give directions, where a road cannot.
Or maybe that is what the fae played it earlier but it was too complicated so they changed everything to straight lines only.
Also in the style of playing a beautiful game, you should not be able ( or at least be considered (c)rude) when you place-win a game.
Placing a stone to win a beautiful game seems so odd to me (unless maybe it’s the cap)
We *could* change the rules. But we won’t.
Seriously. Do you think we’d get to this point in the game design process without playtesting things to a ridiculously extensive degree?
Trust me. These are the rules. And they’re the rules for a good reason.
But what about the three-player hex version?! *ducks*
@randalljhen
A three player game wouldn’t be thematic…though if you wanted a three player game, I don’t see a problem with keeping the board and just adding in on more different colored set of pieces.
The only way I can see a more than 2 player game also be thematic is to introduce the Chandrian and the Amyr/Sithe/Singers (I know they are not the same). If you do that, you could add special pieces and properties to them, but also restrictions, but I do not think that would add anything to the game except “nosetime”.
Also, one aspect that might be fun in a 3+ player game, though probably not enough to actually be a rule, is that each color is “friendly” with another color, so that if you have your color on two sides of your “friendly” color stone, you can use it as your path. So if you had colors blue, red green, b, r, g respectively, b can be friendly with r, and r friendly with g and g friendly with b, but not vice versa. That would add a huge twist to the game, but again, a thematic problem, and probably makes it more complicated than it is worth.
Anyway my two cents.
Man, i really wish I could back this, and I would have at the 90$ tier, but 52& shipping to the Netherlands is just way too much.
Import taxa and shipping to Europe will be prohibitively expensive :(
I know, but there’s really no way around it. It costs us a lot of time and money to ship packages overseas.
I know.
Also who says I need to eat that month…
How about the option of sending over a few hundred (or as many as needed) to a centralized European distribution point? There are sure to be some logistics, but might make it overall more affordable.
This game sounds like it lends itself incredibly well to being accessible to blind players. Is the game designed in such a way that you could conceivably play it with your eyes closed? The main features it would need IMO are:
– Differently-shaped pieces (this seems to already exist)
– Squares separated by some tactile feature (in chess this is accomplished with white / black squares being at slightly different heights relative to each other)
– Pieces that are impervious to being knocked over by roaming fingers. (In chess this is accomplished by pegs in the bottom of pieces, and holes in the center of the squares on the board)
Is this possible with the current version of Tak, or something you might consider when developing the design? I know we are a niche market, but it would be really fantastic to have a game that just about anyone could play right out of the box.
A friend and fellow fan gave me that look this morning. A game was improvised. When I read the rules it didn’t sound terribly exciting- then we played. It was not a beautiful game. But we got a hint of the nuances the game could create. I think I might be more impressed by this than the books themselves. I would love to see this become a classic.
Thank you, so, so much.
I might use this as a testimonial, if you don’t mind….
Much yes.
High praise from “I_Am_Kvothe.”
River, is that you?
Who, me? No way….
(Much way.)
Awesome!
Reminds me of this underrated gem:
Akron
http://www.cameronius.com/games/akron/
Wow. I checked out the Kickstarter last night after seeing a Tinker’s Pack reference to it, and it was already fully funded! How many minutes/hours did it take?
I immediately came here looking for the blog about it, but it wasn’t posted yet. And today when I went back to pledge for a Merchant’s set, it’s over 4 times funded.
Just wow.
Reading this made my day.
The first thing I did after reading about the game of Tak in book 2 was Google it. After seeing it did not exist, I was disappointed. However today my disappointment ends. Thank you Pat for the extreme detail in your work, in bringing these books to life is so many ways.
Please tell me the Eolien is also currently under construction. I would love to play you in a game of Tak there. The Metheglin would of course be my treat.
P.S. I am currently pledged for a Tinkers Pack on Kickstart. If you do add more options such as stone pieces, travel kit, personalized boards, etc. Would it be possible to have the option to upgrade to one of those?
Thanks!
Keep up the great work!
Yup. Kickstarter makes it really easy for you to upgrade later in the process.
I would like a marble set. I would like a marble set A LOT. I am considering buying some marble backgammon pieces and flattening them on one side to convert them to tak pieces. Marble is soft (for a stone) so that should be easy with a proper power tool.
So I backed my first thing on kickstarter tonight. Tak. At first I was just going to look at it, but the game demo made me want to have it. And since half the time I am on the go, I want a travel set, the tavern set. But for game nights, I want the full set, and it won’t hurt to have two…and it is this logic that drives one to give the highest donation.
Anyway, reason for this comment is that I searched for tak on kickstarter, and found a game called taktak. I was wondering if anyone else has heard of it and how closely, if at all, it resembles tak. It seems to have somewhat similar mechanics. Here is the kickstarter webpage: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/652199084/taktak-the-next-big-strategy-board-game?ref=nav_search. Anyway, I can’t wait to see how it comes out and to bring it to my first game night, or bring it to work and play during lunch…maybe start a running tournament there….
For german fans interrested in saving on shipping fees, I’m trying to put together a group buy on BoardGameGeek. If we get together 10 people on the Innkeeper level, we can save >30€ per person on shipping. If you’re not on BGG, let me know via a reply to this post
Will the game and the book be eventually at the Tinker’s Pack? I’m afraid I cannot afford it right now (even more considering international costs). I’ll be backing at the PATRON level though.
Also, would it be feasible to have an ebook version option? It would be an easier way for us, international people, to read the book.
Yes and yes.
Love the look of the game, rules look really interesting, I’m certain the product will be great, I know that it will be delivered on time. I trust the team since Pairs worked so well (got three decks back then).
But those shipping costs to Europe kill it. I mean…it almost doubles the price. As things stand I’ll have to wait and hope it hits retail over here at some point…
As long as you get enough orders to fill one, hiring a container, shipping it to Europe, and hiring someone over here in Europe to individually ship the packages would probably be cheaper. USPS seems way too expensive.
This is yet another example of the “Rothfuss effect.” The game quadruple funded on day one, and the number of backers goes up the higher up the rewards tier you go. I’m pretty sure at this point you could make a kickstarter for “Stones from Temerant! Buy the rocks that Kvothe may have kicked!” and you’d sell a million.
That said I pledged at the innkeeper level. Damn my susceptibility.
This looks fantastic, my family is already discussing how to improvise a board and pieces until the kickstarter ships :)
Question about the rules though: is a road win *only* by connecting the two player sides of the board (e.g. across from you to your opponent) or can you connect *any* two opposite sides to win (e.g. a ‘sideways’ road from the perspective of the players)? The rules just say ‘connecting two opposite sides of the board’ without clarification so I’m leaning towards the latter, but I guess I’ve played enough chess that the lack of directionality threw me :)
Any two *opposite* sides can be connected to make a win, no matter where players are sitting. The only thing you can’t do is connect perpendicular sides and call that a win.
This comment might be more appropriate for the Kickstarter page, but only backers can comment there (which is also appropriate) :)
It would make my day, if I could contribute, but I am afraid I cannot afford the shipping costs at all. Not in a scoffing way, where I do not want to afford it, but where I really cannot :)
And I am wondering if people like me could not be offered something that does not weigh much and so does not cost much to ship. Maybe only two differently made capstones? :) We could hold on to it until we have a set — as a heirloom piece! — and support the making of the game :)
I understand that I might be entirely mistaken on how hard it is to arrange such a thing, but it is a suggestion :)
I understand why the prices are as they are.
If I pledge over $90, can I expect a bone ring?
Perhaps–like Blizzard’s StarCraft–this beautiful game will become a national sport for some country…
Also, I feel (slow regarding characters in the books) that Auri would reign supreme at this game; just a hunch.
I had that same thought.
I think you’re right.
Now I’m curious about it…
I can understand the reluctance to let the game be made.
I’m sure Pat would be the first to admit he cheats a little bit in his books and not describing things explicitly.
Like with song “The Lay of Sir Savien Traliard”. It’s better to leave the readers to their own ideas of what one of the Four Corners most beautiful songs is like, rather than to try and actually write it out because that’s going to be impossible.
Whoever’s making the film/TV show is going to have a hell of work to do.
Tak is a beautiful game, but again it’s a big ask to produce the tangible game itself , so I’ve backed it.
P.S I say cheat but I mean it nicely, if it lets Rothfuss be a martial artist, musician, wizard, and philosopher, and write the best books I’ve ever read, then it’s all good with me!
Will a stretch goal be a set that is a marble tabletop with round stones like in the book? Also what is a “Brooker’s Fall”?
This is terribly exciting.
Are we going digital as well ? How about an android app ?
I’m sorry to post off-topic in such an awesome blogpost but I’m not sure how else to try to contant you. I was just wondering if you are aware of this: https://www.teezily.com/my-name-is-kvothe?var=kvothe_new
and if it has your blessing, so to say.
ps. An actual playable Tak! Beautiful.
Wow. I’m guessing that does not have Pat’s blessing, since all sanctioned merch seems to be sold through the Tinker’s Packs, and that design does not appear in the Packs.
I’m guessing copyright infringement could be asserted. If this is the case, someone should get on that soon; the teezily site is only offering that for another 6 days by the looks of it.
Hi,
I’ll be looking forward to giving Tak a try. :-)
Just wanted to warn you that there is another awesome albeit not very well known board game called ‘TAC’ being sold by a small German company: http://www.spiel-tac.de/ Not sure about naming rights, trademarks, etc.
Cheers!
So, I saw that the Tavern set pieces are smaller than the Classic ones. How big are the Tavern-size pieces?
Have you thought about making a tak app? The website is cool, but it doesn’t work so well on smartphones.
I am currently reading a lot historical research on the classics of this world, like chess, go, Backgammon etc, for university and then this blog post comes along and man everything I read, saw and heard about the game would fit right into one of the essays on chess etc. I am really looking forward to this game and I think I will make a prototype with soapstone and painted or embroidered Linensquares util the game comes out.
Thanks Pat! I can’t wait to get a hold of another piece of Temerant. I’ve never been a very successful player at strategy games, I don’t do well with planning x many moves ahead, but I am willing to learn.
And if I may put out a request to everyone sending those requests for the third book, whether they are politely worded, or the brusque, if not outright rude ones: Back off, please. There are things in life that you cannot rush, as it spoils them. This is one of them.
Pat knows we want to read it. He know we are impatient. He knows we are bordering on rabid. We don’t need to remind him. Book three will be finished when it is ready, and not a moment sooner. Belligerently (or otherwise) pressuring Pat is the exact opposite of helpful. Trust that the author knows what he is doing, and likely wants to share his story with us as much as we want him to. But not before its time.
That was far more rant than I intended, sorry everyone.
I played a few games yesterday with my brother using square legos on a chessboard, which works pretty well. I recommend it to anyone else who wants to play and has legos lying around. He also asked me a question about the rules that I couldn’t find an answer to- When you play your opponent’s piece for the first move, are you allowed to put it down as a wall?
Wow. That’s a really good question. I’ve never thought of that….
I’ll ask James…
Just asked. James said the rules explicitly state they’re laid flat. Road pieces only.
I don’t know where I should post this, but it’s a contribution to the Tak Kickstarter challenge. #takgamerecipes. Being food oriented, I felt the recipe category is where I could pitch in. I’m just hoping the recipes from Temerant don’t have to meet the standards of our own time and place.
Tawney Pies –
Make a crust of fine flour and suet with a pinch of sugar, and chill it well. Take Vintish summer wine and grated nutmeg and set it to boil. Add ground pepper, and powdered cumin, and a pinch of salt, and fine golden raisins and let them boil together. Add thereto molasses of pomegranate enough and settle it from the fire until it is cooled. Then in a bowl place cubes of mutton or lamb with cut onion, carrot, and potato. Pour over the sauce, to coat it all. Divide and shape the crust and close the filling inside, making half-moon pies. Seal them all tightly and nick the tops. Bake them well and serve them forth.
I’ll do my best to send this to the Tak twitter feed as well.
Hey Pat,
I’m sorry about this, but I’ve only recently stumbled across the waystones that lead to the wonderful world of your online domain. As a person who is new to everything I have a few questions. First, when does the next worldbuilder start? What is Worldbuilder exactly? Tak looks amazing and so does pairs! I love how you’re bringing your world to brighten up this one which leads me to another question: Tunes from Temerant, was the goal reached? and if it was will you be updating the blog with details of the CD? I’m practically dying to listen to it!
Sorry about the paragraph, now I must go; I have a wallet to empty.
YES!!!
So many more games can be made with this new world background!
Pat,
I would like to develop an AI to play this. If and when I have something decent, I will let you know. Some folks would probably like to try it on an Android app – both in solo mode vs an AI, as well as a 2-player version. All of that is quite doable, but would clearly need your permission to be released – and perhaps you already have something like that being produced?
BTW, thanks for your wonderful books.
Cheers,
Arcuate.