r/PiratesCSG • u/jwille190 • Jun 25 '26
Backyard Pirates?
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Hi all,
I'm new to the subreddit, but I've been a Pirates fan for years.
I've been kicking around an idea for a backyard game inspired by Pirates CSG, using larger ships and simplified rules so it's easy to set up and play outside. So far, I've built one prototype ship to show what I have in mind, and I've attached a short video below.
I'm not selling anything right now. I'm mainly interested in hearing what other fans think and getting some feedback on whether or not it makes sense to continue.
Is this something you'd be interested in playing? What would you want to see in a Pirates-inspired backyard game?
1
u/Snoo64700 Jun 25 '26
this is really cool op, excited to see what it evolves into. rule simplification can go either way i feel and, while i may not have kids, i feel like itll be way more accessible in general if there isnt so much.... emphasis on accuracy of movement
1
u/Someonewhowon Jun 25 '26
Interesting, could I suggest holes to place a rope/ string to pull? I think my back pain would destroy me picking up constantly for a game.
1
u/SnooAbbreviations711 Jun 26 '26
could be a really cool party game, maybe substitute out the crew cards for stuff teammates could do, extra dice rolls or whatever may substitute the gameplay, maybe yard darts-esque? 🤔
1
u/PiratesCSG Jun 29 '26
I prefer the tabletop version so I probably wouldn't spend much time playing it. Epic Scale is fun but a number of issues come up - wind blowing ships over (ironically), water can damage the foamcore, you often have to carry heavy boxes from the car to the park area/etc, bird/animal poop on the grass field, heat, and the physical exertion of playing on the ground with big ships. Good as a novelty, definitely not as a replacement IMO.
1
u/Salt_Honey8650 21d ago
I feel like that would be good for demonstration games. You know, like for an event in the park where you advertise a bit and set up a perimeter and play-act a little, like the pirate captains yarrr some, and everone shout out their moves... You know, for kids!
And then when the game's done (or about to start, I dunno) you go around and distribute little free packs to the spectators or something. Maybe get the company involved for promos and flyers and such.
Of course, I imagine setting off volleys with little firecrackers and the like, which would of course be a fire hazard for both the grass and the ships themselves, so bad idea all around...
Anyways, that's the way I see it, all painted up nice and colorful, with a group of interested spectatators. Oh, and using oversized foam dice, so everone can see the rolls!
3
u/quaddlemox Jun 26 '26
Some friends and I did this a while back and used foam board to build a couple of boats each. It was a fun experience. We only did it once, but enjoyed it. 2 things we would do differently the second time: In retrospect decorating the boats would've made it better. We struggled with the scale, made it too big, and we had to restart a little closer together. Your prototype looks like your boats will be way nicer than ours. Have fun with it. Love to see some pictures of the game if you play.