One Zero One

About this board game

One Zero One is an abstract strategy card game for two players that plays in around 15 minutes. Each player takes the role of either 0 or 1, using an identical 16-card deck to compete for control of a program display.

Players add cards to the display while attempting to gain control of lines of program code. Every line is worth a set number of points, creating a tactical contest in which card placement and timing are crucial.

• Two-player play with identical 16-card decks
• Cards are played to a shared program display
• Compete to control scoring lines of program code
• Commands affect cards that are already in play
• The program runs before points are tallied

Most cards feature commands that change the cards already on the display. Because the order and position of cards played by both opponents can greatly influence the final result, every move contributes to the developing code.

The program does not score continuously. Instead, once it runs, the points from the controlled lines are counted and the winner is determined. This gives the game a clear arc: build your position, respond to your opponent’s changes, and make the most of the code before the final tally.

Success in One Zero One depends on reading the evolving program and adjusting your strategy as new cards alter the situation. Its compact format and direct two-player focus make it a concise test of positioning, control, and tactical adaptation. Released in 2013, it is the first game in The Mike Line from Grail Games.