Objective of the Game
The primary objective of Shiftago is to be the first player to form a line of four marbles of your own color. This line can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal.
Game Setup
- Board: The game board consists of a square grid with 7x7 spaces where players can place their marbles.
- Marbles: Each player chooses a color and receives all marbles of that color. The number of marbles varies depending on the number of players.
Gameplay
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Starting the Game: Decide who goes first. That player places one of their colored marbles onto the board.
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Game Turns: Players take turns placing one marble of their color onto the board. The marbles are placed at the edges of the grid and can be slid into an existing row.
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Sliding: The key mechanism in Shiftago is sliding. When placing a marble, you may slide any row or column. If a row becomes full and a marble is pushed out, that marble is removed from the board and is available for the player again.
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Rules for Sliding:
- You can only slide marbles towards your own color.
- Marbles cannot be pushed against a wall.
- Be careful not to create a winning position for your opponent inadvertently.
Winning the Game
You win the game by creating an unbroken line of four marbles in your color along a line (horizontal, vertical, diagonal).
Strategic Tips
- Planning: Think several moves ahead, similar to chess.
- Blocking: Prevent your opponent's win lines by strategically placing marbles.
- Flexibility: Use sliding not only offensively but also to defensively disrupt your opponent.
- Watch the Diagonals: Diagonal lines can easily be overlooked, so pay attention to this opportunity.
The game can have varying lengths depending on player strategy and chosen difficulty level. Shiftago offers the possibility of strategic depth, similar to classic games like Connect Four but with the added tactical element of sliding marbles.
