So, I had a random idea for a board game a few days ago, while trying to think of a good semi-mathsy game for the end of school term (still trying to think of something if anyone has ideas, only one week left now!). I think it might actually be... interesting, sorta. The following is a brief description, and likely vague because it's just an idea, but I'd like to know if people think it sounds reasonable. I'll add uncertainties in brackets.
The game takes place on a square grid (possibly with obstacles/holes/walls on it for interest). Players are trying to place as many tiles on the grid of their own... colour/symbol (since tiles are shared, not sure how this would be tracked easily). There is a random selection of available tiles which are replenished every time one is played, of varying shape and size. Some tiles have a special mark on them, allowing you to place them over other players/your own tiles, otherwise each tile must fit into its own space (maybe own space or over your own tiles only).
Not sure how this bit would work yet, but play would not be circular but rather using a quick bidding system. Players start with some number of counters (maybe 15) and can hold some number in their hand secretly each round to bid on getting a turn. Highest bid takes a turn, ties broken as closest player clockwise to last player who made a move. Somehow counters should be refreshed during the game - could be that counters are shared among other players (e.g. give your winning bid out one to each player clockwise until you run out) or similar. I'd probably need some extra mechanic to keep the game moving quickly, since having a bid every single round would be slow. Maybe the bids determine entire order of the round? I dunno yet.
Winner is the player at the end of the game who has the most territory covered. Or maybe some kind of points system - covering space earns points, achieving certain goals earns points, having counters left earns points etc.
Anyway, feel free to poke holes in the idea, suggest games that already have similar mechanics (I know it already has some similarity to Patchwork, a 2 player game by some prolific designer I've forgotten in the moment), or otherwise suggest things to make it not too stale. It'll probably go nowhere but ehh, maybe it's a nice idea.