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Friday was designed with my firstborn on my arm in the night because I needed something to keep my mind working, because taking care of a newborn is exhausting, but the brain is not so much needed.
So my secondborn came this year and I was again in the same situation. I again needed something for solo sessions. I worked a lot with mazes during that time, so I had the idea of a double-sided maze in which you fold your way through it. I had a clear picture in my mind of what this would look like when it was done, but it was impossible for me to wrap my brain around it with no idea of how to get there — so something perfect for my nightshifts.
The idea came to just print out a maze that's not a maze (because everything is connected more than once with each other), glue it together, fold it, and see what happens. So I created simple computer files, printed them out, and glued them together. From this I got a better idea for how to deal with the problem, and I found a great way to create a Folder (in German, Falter):
-----10 create an easy structure
-----20 print it
-----30 glue it
-----40 fold it
-----50 use a pen to change the routes
-----60 change the computer files
-----70 if done exit else go to 10
This is what you need when your concentration is needed to take care of a baby, but your mental power is still available for other things.
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It all went well. I created some Folders and gave them to friends and what a surprise: They were difficult to solve, but people had a lot of fun trying to do so. I had done something everybody understands in a second, but needs some time to solve. Very good.
Now I had something to work on, and I got more and more extreme. I started with orthogonal patterns and orthogonal folding lines, but there was more: triangular patterns, 45° folds, 30° folds, and even two folding lines. After I had done seven different mazes, Henning Kröpke went to the Gathering of Friends, gave them to testers, and they were immediately addicted. Henning felt a bit like a drug dealer giving out the newest designer drug. I was absolutely clear that this has to be done.
A minor problem came up. The puzzles were too difficult for most people, so I added some halfway goals to the easier ones. Now when you start, you will soon have your first success. As a "good drug dealer", it's my responsibility to make your "first shot" very easy. ;-)
The problem now: This is not a game; it's a puzzle. It will not get a database entry at BGG, and I do not know how to promote such a thing. Anyway, it must be done and it must be done as a postcard with an envelope to sell it like Hallmark. We found a producer of postcards, and they made it possible to have the postcards folded exactly at the needed position and now I'm curious how this will work out.
Of course I believe it will be a huge success...
Friedemann Friese
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