Description

????????? (Dolphin Snap) is a game from Japan in which players try to compose photos of marine life in an aquarium. The game includes a picture frame and a tripod. Cutouts of dolphins and whales are assembled on vertical stands and process around through dice rolls. Players are trying to get attractive groupings of dolphins in frame at the right time to get their photo. The best composed shots win the most points.

The game has a long blue cord which is placed as a loop on the table. The frame is set up in front of this, and a blue background is put to the rear. Players then throw a number of blue dice into the loop. These determine which marine animals appear. The number and types of dolphins are limited and will not appear all the time. The cutouts are clipped at different levels to blue poles, and these are stuck to small platforms which go alongside the corresponding dice. Looking through the frame, the players can see some creatures in shot, but not all of them. In this way, players compose a shifting three dimensional diorama of sea life passing the frame of the camera.

Players have to chose when to take a good photo. Should they get a quick snap, or wait a bit in case a more interesting creature swims by. Will the enormous whale shark appear at the back? If the dolphins move on, will the players regret the missed chance to get a good picture?

When a player has taken their photo and scored points for it, the next player rolls the dice and continues.

Whilst being a competitive game, the designer's intention is to engage the players in a contemplative experience as they consider their place in the world. The game can be played just as well by a solo player.
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