Pen and paper resource development game

Name: Pen and paper resource development game
Availability: InStock
Author: jhylands

by jhylands·Jun 16, 2026·33 points·2 comments

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AI Analysis

●●SolidCozyBig BrainNiche Gem

LFSR-based procedural generation you can compute by hand with just pen and paper.

Strengths

•LFSR algorithm over single byte enables procedural maps without dice or calculator
•Computational reducibility concept lets players skip turns while maintaining emergence
•OGame-inspired power-of-2 progression formulas are simple and memorable

Weaknesses

•Blog post explaining rules rather than shipped playable component or interactive tool
•Niche audience - requires CS knowledge to grasp XOR and hexadecimal concepts easily

Post Description

I've been working for a while on trying to curate a game that has the emergence of procedurally generated computer games but that can be played with only pen and paper. Here I present the best version I've been able to come up with that is simple and emergent. I've really enjoyed being able to engage with this sort of game while not feeling like my brain in rotting. I recon my numeracy improves while playing it.