Connect 4. Review and New Game Variant

Connect 4, an all time classic game, I review it here AND present a new idea based on the old rules. Simple to learn. Tricky to master!
http://www.historygamer.com/2010/07/03/connect-4-review-plus-new-idea/

The rules are straight forward, drop disks into a vertical grid 7×6 in dimension (although variants allow larger sizes of grid), and try to get 4 of your color in a row -- horizontally, vertically or diagonally and you win the game.

The video shows that the game was mathematically solved in 1988, but fortunately, most people are unaware of the solution, so its still a very playable game for the whole family.

However at history gamer, we like to take things that little bit further. If you visit the website, you'll see a simpleset of rules to make the game more strategical.

Please visit the site via the link above and let me know what you think about the game variant.

http://www.historygamer.com
connect 4

Category:

Gaming

Tags:

• connect 4
• connect four
• 4 in a row
• four in a row
• game
• board game

[vegantimetolove]

Cool idea. Not sure you new way of playing would allow for the same level of strategy, but it would make the game better for young kids. They would play by just dropping pieces randomly until the rack is full (something they love doing anyway) and then the real challenge would be identifying all the 3-in-a-rows, 4-in-a-rows, etc... Just a thought.

[HistoryGamerDotCom]

@vegantimetolove thanks - I think you'll find it has strategy. The full rack means you still have to plan ahead a lot.

[DarkandTwistedTales]

This game is fun.

[HistoryGamerDotCom]

@Gerstein1 Really? Excellent. Right I will review that in due course. Thanks for the info.

[Gerstein1]

@HistoryGamerDotCom Of course C4 does, it's a classic. But spanning into go might benefit the channel, considering the high view count, in the thousands, for english Go videos.

[HistoryGamerDotCom]

@Gerstein1 Go - yes. (I first came across it being called Reversi). I wrote a computer program to play that many years ago. A Much better game than Connect 4. However connect 4 deserves its place in the history of games, which is something I talk about here and on the website.

[Gerstein1]

@HistoryGamerDotCom It is simple, and I don't play the game much anymore. However, while you're posting games that aren't truly historic simulations (just a joke) try go. (also known as Igo, Baduk, Weiqui) It's 4200 years old! It's also a really good and complex game. (Seriously).

[HistoryGamerDotCom]

@Gerstein1 have you played any variants? Imho this game is a bit simple as it stands, although invaluable for teaching children strategy.

[Gerstein1]

There were actually 2 diagonals. Also, yes I have played this game, the best strategy, in my opinion, is to force moves, and avoid being forced. This can lead to a switch in control when they keep reacting in a special way.

[HistoryGamerDotCom]

You'll see I introduce a games variant later in the video. Please let me know what you think if you play this version of the game. Plus have you come up with your own versions? Did you used to play this as a kid?