Game Show Philosophy: A Series of Collages (5/5)

Hello again, folks:

Here is the final collage in the series I made for my Digital Manipulation class...featuring my original game of chance, "Try Your Luck!"

This game is simple...a contestant picks an envelope to determine the time limit (60 - 75 seconds) he/she will have for the "Puzzle Round", which determines how many picks that contestant will have on the big 50-square "Money Board" (top center of the collage). First, the contestant picks a square, the "Lucky Square", that remains unrevealed while he/she picks other squares on the board to build up the money the contestant will win if he/she decides to play it safe. The possible dollar amounts line the bottom of this collage, from $100 to $1,000. After running out of picks, the contestant has the choice of keeping the money amassed from the Money Squares revealed...or taking the number of picks earned times the dollar amount hidden under the Lucky Square for up to $1,000 per pick. If the contestant is lucky enough to find the "Lucky Star" (bottom center of the collage), he/she will have a chance to play the "Lucky Star Game" (directly below my picture) to possibly double the money won from the Money Board.

In this game, the only way a contestant ends up with nothing is if he/she can't solve a single puzzle during the Puzzle Round...which would mean no picks on the Money Board. However, the Puzzle Round is made to be easy...so this is virtually impossible. Also, even if the contestant decides to "Try His/Her Luck" by taking a chance on the Lucky Square...only to reveal $100 (which is what happened to the two contestants featured on the bottom corners of the "Try Your Luck" logo)...that's the least a contestant can leave with on this show. All of this is consistent with my first directive, in which a contestant should not leave empty-handed unless he/she completely blows it.

Also, when a contestant is faced with the decision of playing it safe or Trying His/Her Luck...the reward typically outweighs the risk, pursuant to my second directive. Take the examples of the four contestants I've featured in this collage:

Top right: $5,900 with 14 picks. Maximum Prize: $14,000
Risk: $4,500 - Reward: $8,100 (Lucky Square held $500)

Top left: $6,200 with 15 picks. Maximum Prize: $15,000
Risk: $4,700 - Reward: $8,800 (Lucky Square held $100)

Bottom left: $9,700 with 20 picks. Maximum Prize: $20,000
Risk: $7,700 - Reward: $10,300 (Lucky Square held $100)

Bottom right: $7,300 with 14 picks. Maximum Prize: $14,000
Risk: $5,900 - Reward: $6,700 (Lucky Square held $100)

When the potential reward outweighs the risk, it also makes taking a chance on that Lucky Square more tempting...even when it's a bad idea, as was the case for the two contestants in the bottom corners. But hey...you never know when that next Lucky Square will be hiding $1,000, even when it's statistically a bad idea to go for it....

Thanks for taking a look at my collage series. Until next time, folks....