In a casual conversation during a gaming convention in 2012, Eric Harshbarger was approached by a game designer seeking a solution for dice that could determine the starting player without the chance of a tie. The main objective was to expedite the game initiation process.
Harshbarger, a mathematician and senior lecturer at Auburn University in Alabama, found the challenge intriguing as it lacked a straightforward solution, a typical enticement for mathematicians. He envisioned a set of dice where each player could roll one die, ensuring an equal chance of winning while preventing ties.
However, transitioning this theoretical concept into tangible dice that functioned in reality proved to be arduous. After almost 15 years of persistent efforts, Harshbarger and his team successfully crafted the Go First Dice for five players. These dice can reliably determine the starting player in a board game with a guaranteed winner from a single roll.
Over time, Harshbarger assumed the role of a custodian for the problem, overseeing a collaborative effort involving approximately 20 computer scientists and mathematicians worldwide. They swiftly devised a set of four 12-sided dice that provided fair outcomes for two, three, or four players. Yet, accommodating five players posed a more complex challenge.
The researchers delved into various theories to refine the dice design, gradually reducing the number of sides to create a manageable solution. A breakthrough occurred when a researcher from Australia proposed a practical model involving five 120-sided dice.
Subsequently, Canadian software engineer Paul Meyer joined the initiative and proposed a configuration using five 60-sided dice, a breakthrough validated by Harshbarger. Despite skepticism from some researchers regarding the dice’s practical implementation, Harshbarger affirms the dice’s mathematical fairness.
The research group, now including Meyer, continues to explore potential modifications such as utilizing fewer sides for a five-player set and expanding the concept to accommodate six players. Although current tools may be insufficient for these inquiries, the team remains open to unexpected developments, akin to Meyer’s unanticipated solution.
For Harshbarger, the allure of this problem lies in its inherent complexity, offering a captivating mathematical challenge that has captivated researchers for years.