In 2012, at a gaming convention, a board game designer challenged mathematician Eric Harshbarger to create dice that could determine the starting player without the risk of a tie. Harshbarger, a senior lecturer at Auburn University with a passion for mathematical puzzles, embraced the challenge to streamline the game setup process.
After years of collaboration with computer scientists and mathematicians worldwide, Harshbarger and his team successfully developed a set of dice known as the Go First Dice for five players. These innovative dice ensure a fair and decisive outcome from a single roll, eliminating the need for tiebreakers.
While earlier versions of the dice for fewer players were relatively quick to devise, creating a solution for five players posed a significant challenge. The team explored various geometric configurations, eventually settling on a set of five 120-sided dice, thanks to a breakthrough by a researcher from Australia.
Canadian software engineer Paul Meyer later contributed to the project by proposing a solution using five 60-sided dice, a breakthrough that garnered excitement within the team. Despite skepticism from some researchers regarding the practicality of the dice, Harshbarger asserts that the underlying mathematics guarantee a fair outcome.
The research group continues to investigate the possibility of using fewer sides for a five-player set, with potential plans to expand the concept to accommodate six players. Harshbarger emphasizes the allure of tackling complex mathematical challenges and remains open to unexpected breakthroughs from new contributors, highlighting the enduring fascination of the problem.
