Bandits and Builders     a game by Jonathan Scheuer and Rafi Sofaer

This is a game for two or more players, in which players simultaneously choose between two options, building or stealing, and gain or lose points accordingly.  As in the strategic paradox of the Prisoner's Dilemma,  if all players  maximize their own advantage, they will fare worse than if they all work together.  Enjoying this game requires both strategy and a sense of humor.

Equipment:  One white and one black stone per player, counters to mark points (Go stones will serve both purposes), one or more dice, and the result tables (see below).

Play:  Each player puts a white stone in one hand and a black stone in the other.  Each player puts one hand forward, and players simultaneously reveal their stones.  Those who played black stones are builders, and those who played white are bandits.

Awarding points:
First, each bandit steals from each builder, 2, 3 or 4 points at the narrow, medium and wide levels respectively. Begin the round at the narrow level.  If a builder has less than enough to pay the bandits, they pay what they have to the bandits equally, and any remainder goes to the bank. 

Next, builders take and bandits pay (burn) points to the bank.   Two builders or bandits each take or pay 1, 2, or 3 points to the bank according to the level.  Three take or pay 2, 4 or 6 points.  Four take or pay 3, 6, or 9 points each, and so on.

Ending the game:  If the score for the round is not tied, roll a die. On 6, the round ends.  The player with the most points wins the round.

Preparing for the next match
Each player rolls a die. On 6, that player sits out the next round.  If all players were bandits in the previous match, go to the next higher level, if possible.  If all were builders, go to the next lower level, if possible.  A stone placed on the rules page can be moved to keep track of the level.

Stealing                             narrow                medium            wide
Each pair of opposites          2                          3                      4

Building (+ ) / Burning (-)
                        1 player     2 players        3 players     4 players        5 players
narrow                    0                1                     2                 3                     4
medium                  0                2                     4                 6                     8
wide                       0                3                     6                 9                    12

I've playtested this a just few times with small groups.  If you get a chance to play Bandits and Builders, please let me know how it went.