Mister Zero

Overview

Mister Zero is a board game designed by Alex Randolph. Players place numbered chips along a network of paths. Mister Zero, an automated figure, begins his journey and always follows the road with the lowest-numbered chip at each intersection. Each time he passes a chip, it is flipped over. If Mister Zero reaches a goal space at the end of his journey, the player who placed the most flipped chips receives them all as points.

Components

• 1 game board (network of paths and intersections)
• Numbered chips
• Mister Zero figure
• Goal spaces

Setup

1. Place the board in the center.
2. Distribute numbered chips evenly among players.
3. Players take turns placing chips on path segments.
4. Place Mister Zero at the start position.

Turn Structure

The game has two phases:

1. Placement Phase: Players take turns placing their numbered chips on path segments.
2. Movement Phase: Mister Zero moves automatically through the network, always choosing the lowest-numbered chip at each intersection.

Actions

Placing Chips

• On your turn, place one numbered chip on any unoccupied path segment.
• Strategic placement controls where Mister Zero will travel.

Mister Zero’s Movement

• Mister Zero moves from the start position.
• At each intersection, he always takes the path with the lowest-numbered chip.
• Each chip he passes over is flipped (inverted).
• His journey ends when he reaches a goal space or has no valid path.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

If Mister Zero reaches a goal space, the player who placed the most inverted (flipped) chips along his path collects all the inverted chips as points. The player with the most total points after multiple rounds wins.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• If Mister Zero cannot reach a goal space, no points are awarded.
• The placement phase is the strategic core; predicting Mister Zero’s path is key.
• Multiple rounds may be played with score accumulation.

Player Reference

Phase 1: Take turns placing numbered chips on paths

Phase 2: Mister Zero travels automatically (always lowest chip) -> Flips chips he passes

Scoring: If Mister Zero reaches goal, player with most flipped chips collects them all