Icehouse

About this board game

Icehouse is a 20-minute game for 3–5 players in which everyone places Icehouse Pieces without turns or rounds, then scores safe defenders and successful attackers.

Players can place their pieces as quickly or slowly as they like. The action is continuous, with players choosing whether to position their pieces for attacking or defending purposes.

Because nothing breaks up the action into turns or rounds, Icehouse creates an open flow of placement. Players continue adding their pieces until time runs out or everyone has used all of their pieces. Only then is the game scored.

• No turns or rounds divide the action.
• Place pieces at your own pace.
• Use attacking or defending positions.
• Score safe defenders and successful attackers.

The scoring focuses on two outcomes: defenders that remain safe and attackers that succeed. This gives the final evaluation a clear purpose while preserving the game’s uninterrupted placement format.

Released in 1989, Icehouse is the game that introduced Icehouse Pieces. An initial test run of 100 sets was made in December 1989 and sold in black boxes; a few more handmade sets were produced later, but only in very limited quantities.

Stashes of Icehouse Pieces without rules were later released as Looney Pyramids, which has an accessory entry associated with Icehouse. For players interested in the origins of the Icehouse Pieces system, Icehouse provides the foundational game and its distinctive free-form scoring structure.