At a gaming convention in 2012, a board game designer challenged mathematician Eric Harshbarger to create dice that could determine the starting player without the possibility of a tie, aiming to expedite the game setup process. Harshbarger, a senior lecturer at Auburn University, embraced the challenge, leveraging his mathematical expertise to devise a solution that could ensure a fair outcome for all players.
After years of collaboration with computer scientists and mathematicians worldwide, Harshbarger and his team devised a set of innovative dice specifically tailored for five players. The dice, known as Go First Dice, guarantee a unique winner from a single roll, addressing the longstanding issue of tie-breakers in board games.
Initially tackling the problem with a set of four 12-sided dice, the team swiftly resolved scenarios involving two, three, or four players. However, the challenge escalated when trying to accommodate five players, prompting a rigorous exploration of feasible dice designs. Eventually, a breakthrough emerged as a researcher proposed a practical solution involving five 120-sided dice, leading to further advancements in the project.
Canadian software engineer Paul Meyer played a pivotal role by presenting a solution using five 60-sided dice, a development met with excitement and validation by Harshbarger. Despite some skepticism regarding the dice’s practical implementation, Harshbarger asserts the mathematical integrity of the design, emphasizing its fairness in determining game outcomes.
The research team, now including Meyer, continues to delve into unresolved questions, such as the feasibility of fewer sides for a five-player set and the potential expansion to accommodate six players. While current tools may be insufficient, Harshbarger remains open to unexpected breakthroughs, acknowledging the allure of persisting with challenging mathematical puzzles despite their initial simplicity.