In a lively conversation at a gaming event back in 2012, a board game creator challenged mathematician Eric Harshbarger to devise a unique set of dice that could definitively determine the starting player without any chance of a tie. This task aimed to streamline the initial game setup and hasten the gameplay.
Harshbarger, a seasoned mathematician and senior lecturer at Auburn University in Alabama, found this challenge intriguing due to its lack of a straightforward solution, a common allure for mathematicians. Crafting dice that could ensure a decisive outcome for each player while eliminating the possibility of a tie proved to be a complex endeavor.
After almost 15 years of perseverance and collaboration with colleagues, Harshbarger successfully created the Go First Dice set, specifically tailored for five players. These innovative dice allow players to fairly establish the first mover in a board game with a guaranteed winner from a single roll.
Over time, Harshbarger took on the role of overseeing the dice challenge, welcoming input from approximately 20 computer scientists and mathematicians worldwide. While devising a set of four 12-sided dice for two, three, or four players was relatively swift, the puzzle became more intricate when considering five players.
Amidst various theories and iterations, a breakthrough emerged when an Australian researcher proposed employing five 120-sided dice. Subsequently, a Canadian software engineer, Paul Meyer, cracked the code by suggesting the use of five 60-sided dice, a solution that resonated with Harshbarger’s quest for a practical and manufacturable outcome.
Despite the complexity of the search, Meyer’s computational approach, leveraging mathematical patterns and extensive computer analysis, proved successful. The resulting golf-ball-sized dice are now commercially available, embodying fairness in design while potential manufacturing imperfections could marginally impact outcomes.
As the research continues, the team explores the feasibility of fewer sides for a five-player set, with 30 sides as the known minimum, and delves into the potential extension of the concept to accommodate six players. While current tools may fall short, Harshbarger remains open to unexpected breakthroughs, recognizing the allure of unresolved mathematical challenges and the allure of pursuing them relentlessly.