During a gathering at a gaming event in 2012, a board game creator challenged mathematician Eric Harshbarger to devise dice that could determine the starting player without the chance of a tie. The concept aimed to expedite the beginning of gameplay. Harshbarger, a mathematician and lecturer at Auburn University, found the problem intriguing due to its lack of an obvious solution.
After almost 15 years of research and collaboration with colleagues, Harshbarger successfully created a set of dice named the Go First Dice for five players. These dice ensure a fair decision on the starting player with a guaranteed winner from a single roll.
Although solving the dice puzzle for up to four players was relatively quick, devising a solution for five players proved more challenging. The team navigated through various theories and reduced the dice sides gradually, ultimately settling on a set of five 120-sided dice.
Canadian software engineer Paul Meyer made a significant breakthrough by proposing a solution using five 60-sided dice. This discovery, achieved through computational analysis and mathematical patterns, marked a pivotal moment in the project. Despite some skepticism regarding the practical implementation of the dice, Harshbarger affirmed the mathematical integrity of the design.
The research continues as the team explores the feasibility of using fewer sides for a five-player set and potentially expanding the concept to accommodate six players. While current tools may not be sufficient for these inquiries, Harshbarger remains open to unexpected solutions, emphasizing the allure of unresolved mathematical challenges for mathematicians.