Playing coQuest

New players learn the basic principles and dynamics of CoQuest by playing Level I. With CoQuest the goal is NOT for one player to WIN but for all 12 Questors to succeed in reaching their StarStone at the Round Table. Furthermore, the 3 Questors of each color do NOT seek a StarStone of their own color but one each of the other 3 colors—for example, the 3 Yellow Questors seek a Red, Purple and a Green StarStone. Each player rolls their own colored dice to determine the number of squares they move their Questors in each turn. However, a Dark or Light Demon must be moved for each square a Questor is moved. Dark Demons move only inward and Light Demons move only outward. A Perfect CoQuest ends with all 12 Questors crowned with their StarStone. When no Dark Demon can move inward and no Light Demon can move outward, CoQuest ends in Gridlock with one or more Questors Stranded from reaching their StarStone.

With Level II, the Questors no longer move according to the dice but as each player chooses. What makes Level II more challenging is that each Questor move through the corner of a square requires a Dark Demon to be moved inward one square, and each Questor move through the side of a square requires a Light Demon to be moved outward one square.

Playing CoQuest Threat

CoQuest Threat is for players seeking an even more strategic challenge. Based on the same principle as CoQuest, CoQuest Threat is played on a playing board of 12 x 12 squares so Questors now seek their StarStones in the corners of the board. Most significantly, in CoQuest Threat, there is DemonMaster whose sole purpose is to Capture Questors in order to prevent as many as possible from reaching their StarStone. The risk of being Captured by the Dark and Light Demons is present with ever turn, so for all the Questors to reach their StarStone requires the highest level of CoQuesting.

Personal note

CoQuest and CoQuest Threat are meant to be played by young and old for the fun of it. And yet, there is a deeper intention behind my efforts to create CoQuest. I see a connection between ‘Conquest’ games and the conquest approach to life that we meet everywhere today. I am motivated to develop ‘CoQuest’ games as a practical way to foster the alternative spirit of CoQuest in all human affairs.

To create a good game, never mind a new kind of game, is a daunting challenge. In spite of my sustained best efforts, I am well aware that there may be other variations of CoQuest, or fundamentally different forms of CoQuest games yet to be developed. If you are drawn to play CoQuest, but even if you aren’t, I invite you to consider the following:

The simple act of playing CoQuest is a form of social activism. With this in mind, I encourage you to play CoQuest, and promote the need for this type of game. Furthermore, I encourage anyone so inclined to explore other variations of CoQuest, and potentially, to develop other kinds of collaborative game. The world needs CoQuest games. By cultivating the high art of CoQuest, even in a board game, we are countering the spirit of Conquest that prevails in our time. In playing and developing CoQuest games, we are building a new kind of community rooted in empathy and collaboration.

I wish you many a good CoQuest!

Michael Howard