Gibberers: The Word Game of Language Invention and Civilization Development
Gibberers: The Word Game of Language Invention and Civilization Development Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Components
59 Knowledge Cards from 0 to 5th Generation (5 Gen 0 cards, 17 Gen 1 cards, 12 Gen 2 cards, 21 Gen 3 cards, 14 Gen 4 cards, 7 Gen 5 cards)
10 Index Tiles, 5 Enlighten Tokens, 1 Mentor Marker
1 Civilization Board, 61 Development Tokens (Daily, Concept, Military, Science, Wonder)
5 Pronunciation Generator Cards, 5 Word Sticky Notes, 1 Civilization Record Booklet
In addition, prepare some writing utensils for all participants to use. It is also recommended for Wanderers to have access to any medium that allows Wanderers to look up for Knowledge (such as a dictionary or a machine that could connect to the Internet). If you run out of Word Sticky Notes, use any Sticky Notes available instead.
Prepare
Dictionary Area
① Arrange all Index Tiles in alphabetical order. Leave some space between each Index Tiles. This area will be the Dictionary Area.
Out of Dictionary Area
② Place Generation 0 Knowledge Cards with the Drawing side facing up. Divide the remaining Knowledge Cards into Generations 1 to 5, shuffle them separately, and lay them face down into 5 different ③ deck. Arrange this 5 deck according to the order of Generation.
④ Sort the Development Tokens by type.
⑤ Place the Civilization Board with the ⑥ side in the center facing up, and place all ⑥ Enlighten Tokens on the center of the board.
For Each Participant
Each Participant takes a stack of ⑦ Word Sticky Note, ⑧ a Word Generator Card, and a writing utensil. The remaining Word Sticky Notes and Word Generator Card will not be used.
Choose a Mentor
The Participant reading this booklet will be your first Mentor. Additionally, Mentor takes the ⑨ Civilization Record Note and the ⑩ Mentor Marker.
Game Terminology
Before beginning the game, ensure all Participants are familiar with the terminology explained in this instruction manual.
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| New Language | The language that all Participants cooperate to create. |
| Old Language | The lingua franca that all Participant used to communicate. A native or common language. |
| Word | A word created in the New Language. |
| Pronunciation | The pronunciation of a Word. |
| Meaning | The meaning of a Word. |
| Mentor | The Participant who is teaching a new Word from a Knowledge Card. |
| Students | All Participants except the Mentor. |
Knowledge Cards
Knowledge Cards are divided into Generations 0 to 5, where higher numbers indicates more advanced civilizations. Each Knowledge Card consist of 5 pieces of Knowledge on it, and the classification of that Knowledge is indicted by its Development Icon(s). All Participants should check which level of Knowledge are included in each Generation.
| Generation | Comparison with modern civilizations - examples of Meaning |
|---|---|
| Generation 1 | Primitive to ancient era - "Ants", "Sun", "Battle", "Board" |
| Generation 2 | Medieval era - "Sugar", "Wine", "Weapon", "Jewelry" |
| Generation 3 | Modern era - "Violin", "Solar Eclipse", "Gasoline", "Camera" |
| Generation 4 | Current era - "Franchise", "Hypnotism", "Revolution", "Allergy" |
| Generation 5 | Future era - "Influencer", "Heart Transplant", "Optical Camouflage", "Global Warming" |
Development Icons (5 Types)
生活 (Daily), 思考 (Concept), 武力 (Military), 科学 (Science), オーパーツ (Wonder)
Civilizations become more advanced and a single Knowledge will have multiple Development Icons in Generation 4 & 5. Plus, Knowledge classified as Vocations consist of subject which doesn't belong to any generation or fictional.
Phase Development
Participants are divided into Mentor (the person with Mentor Marker) and Student (all remaining participants). All Participants work together to create a new language and civilization. During the beginning of the game, all Participants will conduct Generation 0, the repeat the Development Phase for each Generation until their conditions are met.
After the final Development Phase, Participants calculate their Civilization Potential to see how well their civilization did during the Civilization Tallying Phase.
Generation 0 Phase
3 steps would be conducted in Generation 0 Phase to build the foundations of your new language and civilization. Those 3 steps are "Birth of Civilization", "Creating Basic Word", and "Ritual of Encounter".
Birth of Civilization
All participants discuss to find a name for the civilization they are going to develop and record it along with the names of all participants in a page of the Civilization Record Booklet. Next, tick the box written EXPERT.
This Civilization Record will not be used until the Civilization Tallying Phase. Sit it aside for now.
Creating Basic Word
Create 18 Words that will form the foundation of the New Language. A Word must consist of a "Pronunciation" and a "Meaning". Use Word Sticky Note to record the Words created.
Participants create these 18 Words one by one clockwise order, starting from the Mentor. Participants are free to discuss what Word to create.
To create a Word, first create a Pronunciation, then choose a Meaning for the Word. Refer to the next page for further details. End this step once you have created all 18 Words and recorded them on Word Sticky Notes.
Rumors said that a set of "Casual Rules" is also discovered in the same site and it includes an appendix that helps Participants to Create Basic Word. It seems that certain subject have intention to spread this experiment, but I have no idea what their purpose is. That manual should be included in this box too, take a look if necessary.
Creating Pronunciation
Write down the "Pronunciation" on the left side of the Word Sticky Note. There are 3 rules while creating Pronunciation.
- Use the same kind of wordings to make all Pronunciation (do not mix multiple Old Language)
- Creating any Word with the "same Pronunciation" as any Words which already exists in the New Language are prohibited.
- Do not choose any Pronunciation that is same or similar to the Meaning of the Word.
The length of the Pronunciation are not fixed, but it is advisable to keep it between 1 to 4 syllables to make Words easier to pronounce and distinguish. Plus, Participants are recommended to choose a Pronunciation that have no meaning in the Old Language.
You may also use the Pronunciation Generator Cards to choose any sequence of letters to create a Pronunciation.
Choosing a Meaning
Record the Meaning of the Word on the right side of a Word Sticky Note with it's Pronunciation.
Look at the Drawing side of any Generation 0 cards and choose anything that you think is necessary in the base of your new language and civilization.
However, Participants must include Words with these 4 Meanings: "Yes", "No", "I", and "Know" within the 18 base Words.
Once all 18 Word Sticky Notes with Pronunciation and Meaning are recorded on them, place them in the Dictionary Area under their appropriate Index Tiles according to the first letter of the Pronunciation of the Word.
Professor Keisei created a Pronunciation "Ufaru" and chose the Meaning as "Lively." Creating any Pronunciation such as "Bikely" or "Livelily" for "Lively" is prohibited, since the Pronunciation and Meaning are similar. "Ufaru" is a good choice.
Ritual of Encounter
Starting from the Mentor, Participants take turn in clockwise order to make a self introduction using only the basic words. The Words to use is "I" and "Know". After all Participants introduced themselves, proceed to Development Phase.
During our first attempt, it seems that the mood of the participants changed after carrying out this "Ritual." Is this really just an self introduction?
Since Professor Keisei is the first Mentor, he introduced himself by saying "Poipa Arishima" along with some gestures. Then the Students answered "Yagyun".
Development Phase
The Development Phase is carried out using Knowledge Cards from Generation 1 to 5, and is repeated until certain conditions are met. Each Development Phase consists of three steps: Prepare, Enlighten, and Apply.
During the Enlighten step, Participants are only allowed to speak using the New Language. Any usage of the Old Language is strictly prohibited.
After one Knowledge Card from Generation 5 have been played, the Development Phase ends and proceed to the Civilization Tallying Phase.
Prepare
During Prepare Step, split Participants into Mentor and Students.
Mentor Preparation
Draw a card from the deck of Knowledge Cards with the lowest number and look at it without revealing to anyone. Choose a Knowledge from any of the 5 Knowledge on the Knowledge Card and place it face down in front of you. Create a new Pronunciation to represents that Knowledge and write the Pronunciation on a Word Sticky Note, then show it to the Students.
For once only, Mentor may redraw a Knowledge card. To do so, show one additional card from the same deck, and choose either Knowledge Card to use. Return the Knowledge Card not chosen to the bottom of it's deck.
Students Preparation
According to the Generation of the Knowledge Card drawn by the Mentor, Students add a number of Enlighten Token to the center of the Civilization Board. If there are any Enlighten Tokens left on the board from previous Development, keep those Enlighten Token on the board and add the indicated number of tokens. If there are insufficient Enlighten Tokens, add as many as possible. Keep the remaining Enlighten Tokens, any remaining Enlighten Tokens will not be used in this Development Phase. Keep them aside for now.
| Generation | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of tokens | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Once the Mentor and Students finished their preparation, move on to Enlighten Step.
During the Enlighten Step, Participants are not allowed to speak in Old Language until the step is completed.
Professor Keisei drew one Generation 2 Knowledge Card and chose "Oat" as the Knowledge to share during this Development Phase. He places the card face down in front of him and writes "Toperia" on the Pronunciation side of a new Word Sticky Note, leaving the Meaning section blank.
There are three Enlighten Tokens left on the Civilization Board from previous Development. Students should add 4 Enlighten Tokens, but since there are only 2 Enlighten Tokens left outside the board, they add 2 tokens only instead.
Enlighten
If everyone agrees, you may set a time limit using something such as a timer.
During the Enlighten Step, Students should listen to the Mentor's explanation and guesses what Knowledge the guide is explaining and reveal it. All participants are allowed to ask questions, but they can only speak with New Language.
Mentor during Enlighten Step
The Mentor must explain the selected Knowledge during Prepare Phase in New Language only.
During Enlighten Phase, Mentor is allowed to add one new Word to help making explanation. This new Word are known as Support Word. To add a Support Word, write down a Pronunciation only on a new Word Sticky Note without writing the Meaning, and place it under the appropriate Index Tile in the Dictionary Area.
Special Rules for Generation 1 & 2 — Only during Generation 1 and 2, Mentor is allowed to use gesture while explaining.
Word Sticky Notes in Dictionary Area — Participants are allowed to move any Word Sticky Notes in the Dictionary Area.
Students during Enlighten Step
Students listen to the Mentor's explanation and guess the Meaning of the Word the Mentor is explaining. During Enlighten Step, Students may use Enlighten Token to answer and use hints. In addition, as long as all Participants uses the New Language, Participants are free to consult with each other and ask questions.
Enlighten Token
The Enlighten Token has an unused side and a used side. During the Enlighten Step, Students may use the Enlighten Tokens in the center of the Civilization Board to Answer and Use Hints.
Answering the Meaning
If any Students understand the Meaning of the Word explained by the Mentor, one Student will represent the group and answer the Meaning.
The Student who is going to announce their answer says "I Know" in the New Language, and pass one Enlighten Token from the Civilization Board to the Mentor, then announces the answer in Old Language.
As long as only New Language are used, the Mentor could response anything to the answer, such as "Close".
The Student's answer does not have to match exactly the Word written on the Knowledge Card. If the Mentor thinks that the answer is about right, they could consider the answer as correct. In addition, if the chosen Knowledge contains multiple set of Words on the Knowledge Card, the answer is correct as long as it fits any set of Word.
If the answer is correct, the Enlighten Step ends and proceed to Apply Step. If the answer is incorrect, the Mentor places the Enlighten Token they received in front of them with the used side facing up.
Using Hints
If all Participants agree, Participants could acquire hints. There are three types of hints, and each hint can only be used once per Knowledge. If any Participant thinks they need a hint, they place the required number of Enlighten Token(s) in the hint area to it's used side and acquire that hint.
| Cost | Hint | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Enlighten Token | Ancestor | Look at the drawing side of all Generation 0 Knowledge Cards, choose one, and point at a drawing. |
| 2 Enlighten Tokens | Telepathy | The Mentor writes down the Meaning of the Support Word added during this Knowledge. |
| 3 Enlighten Tokens | Inspiration | Add a new Word to a new Word Sticky Note and place it under the appropriate Index in the Dictionary Area. Participants may use this new Word from this Enlighten onwards. |
Apply
Participants are allowed to use Old Language during Apply Step. Depending on the result of the Enlighten, steps are different according to "Success" or "Failure."
Success
If the Students get to answered the correct Knowledge, the Enlighten is successful. In this case, Participants takes Development Token(s) according to the Development Icon(s) shown next to the chosen Knowledge on the Knowledge Card and place them face up.
Failure
If the Students are not able to figure out the correct answer for the Knowledge after running out of unused Enlighten Token on the Civilization Board, the Enlighten fails. Participants will not receive any Development Token.
Recording Word Sticky Note
Regardless of success or failure, write down the Knowledge on the Word Sticky Note on it's Meaning side. If there are multiple Meaning, write down all of them.
Check Generation Growth
Regardless of success or failure, check if the Generation will move on to the next Generation. Sort the used Knowledge Card according to Generation and place them facing up on the side of the table. If the number of cards of the current Generation reached a certain number, remove the Knowledge Cards deck for the current Generation from the game.
After one Knowledge Card from Generation 5 have been Enlightened, the Development Phase ends and proceed to the Civilization Tallying Phase.
| Generation | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of cards | 4 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Development Bonus
After checking the Generation Growth, Participants may use Development Token(s) to gain Development Bonus. By flipping over 2 Development tokens of the same kind, or 1 Wonder Development Token from it's unused side to it's used side, Participants may discuss together to create one new Word. Be careful not to return any used Development Tokens. The Mentor will decide the Pronunciation of this new Word. Participants may use Development Bonus multiple times in the same Development Phase.
Preparing Next Development Phase
Move all Word Sticky Notes to the Dictionary Area according to their Index. Then, the Mentor passes the Mentor Marker to the Participant on their left to switch roles. After the Mentor has changed, a new Development Phase begins.
Civilization Tallying Phase
After playing one Generation 5 Knowledge Card during Development Phase, calculate your score to check your result, then complete the Civilization Record Note, thus ending this experiment.
Counting Development Tokens
Count the Development Tokens obtained, including the Development Tokens that had been used for Development Bonus (used side facing up) to calculate your score.
Scores through Development Token — Daily, Concept, Military and Science are worth 1 point each, and Wonder are worth 3 points each.
Scores through Sets — Gain 4 points for each set of Daily, Concept, Military and Science tokens. Wonder tokens could be used to substitute any kind of tokens.
Calculating Civilization Potential
Once calculating your scores, check your Civilisation's Potential using the Civilization Tallying Table below.
| Score | Evaluation |
|---|---|
| 67 pts and above | Level 3 - A civilization with potential to capture energy emitted by the galaxy. |
| 35 pts and above | Level 2 - A civilization with potential to consume a star's energy. Seems that your team are ready for the challenge. |
| 24 pts and above | Level 1 - A civilization with potential to access energy available on the planet. Seems that this civilization have advanced technology to control natural events. |
| Below 19 pts | Level 0 - A civilization with potential to develop till earth civilization. Thank you for reproducing this experiment. |
Recording the result
Complete the Civilization Record booklet written during Generation 0, filled with the name of your civilization and names of all participants. Record your score at the score column below "EXPERT".
Finally, Participants discuss which Word(s) created during the Civilization is a great Word and write them down "The Great Words" and how they used it.
This concludes the experiment. Thank you for participating.
Quick Reference
The last page of the booklet is a condensed, tabular summary of the Development Phase and Civilization Tallying Phase for quick reference during play. It restates the rules above in shorthand form.
Development Phase: Prepare
| Role | Action |
|---|---|
| Mentor | Draws a Knowledge Card and chooses a Knowledge. Writes a Pronunciation on a Word Sticky Note. |
| Students | Add Enlighten Tokens (up to the number below for the Knowledge's Generation). |
| Generation | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of tokens | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Development Phase: Enlighten
During the Enlighten Step, Participants may only speak New Language.
| Role | Action |
|---|---|
| Mentor | Explains the selected Knowledge in New Language. Gestures are allowed during Generation 1 & 2. May add a Support Word. |
| Student | Listens to the Mentor's explanation and guesses the Knowledge. May use New Language to ask questions and get information. |
| Answer | Pass 1 unused Enlighten Token to the Mentor and announce the answer in Old Language. Mentor evaluates the answer using New Language. |
| Using Hints | Spend Enlighten Tokens to get hints. Each of the 3 kinds of hints can only be used once per Knowledge. |
| Cost | Hint | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Enlighten Token | Ancestor | Point at a drawing on any Generation 0 Knowledge Card. |
| 2 Enlighten Tokens | Telepathy | Mentor writes down the Meaning of the Support Word. |
| 3 Enlighten Tokens | Inspiration | Mentor adds a new Word on a new Word Sticky Note and places it in the Dictionary Area. |
Development Phase: Apply
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| Success or Failure | If successful, receive the matching Development Token(s) and write the Word on the Word Sticky Note. If it failed, just write the Word on the Word Sticky Note; do not receive any Development Token. |
| Generation Growth | Arrange the used Knowledge Cards according to Generation. If the required number of cards is reached, remove that Generation's Knowledge deck from the game. |
| Development Bonus | Flip 2 Development Tokens of the same kind, or 1 Wonder Token, from unused to used side to create a new Word. |
| Generation | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of cards | 4 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Civilization Tallying Phase
| Scoring | Effect |
|---|---|
| Development Token Score | Daily, Concept, Military and Science tokens are worth 1 point each. Wonder tokens are worth 3 points each. |
| Token Set Score | Gain 4 points for each set of Daily, Concept, Military and Science tokens. Wonder tokens can substitute for any kind of token in a set. |