In a conversation during a gaming convention in 2012, board game designer asked mathematician Eric Harshbarger to create a unique set of dice to determine the starting player without the risk of a tie. The aim was to streamline the process and get the game going swiftly.
Harshbarger, a senior lecturer at Auburn University and mathematician, found the challenge intriguing as it lacked a straightforward solution, which intrigued him as a mathematician typically thrives on such problems.
After years of dedicated effort involving collaboration with computer scientists and mathematicians worldwide, Harshbarger and his team successfully developed a set of dice named Go First Dice for five players. These dice ensure a fair selection of the starting player with a guaranteed winner from a single roll.
While designing the dice for different player counts was relatively quick, creating dice for five players posed a significant challenge due to the physical limitations of manufacturing. The team explored various theories until a breakthrough occurred with the design of five 120-sided dice.
Canadian software engineer Paul Meyer played a crucial role in the project by proposing a solution using five 60-sided dice, which was verified and deemed successful. Despite the vast computational search involved, the dice are now available for purchase, designed to uphold mathematical fairness.
The research continues with the team investigating the feasibility of using fewer sides for the five-player set, with the minimum of 30 sides identified so far. Additionally, they are considering expanding the concept to accommodate six players, acknowledging that unexpected breakthroughs can come from new theories and approaches.
Harshbarger finds the unpredictability and complexity of the problem inherently captivating, despite its seemingly trivial nature. The team remains open to innovative solutions and new challenges, driven by the allure of unresolved mathematical puzzles.
